Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 1

George Orwell

• George Orwell: A famous English novelist and essayist, known for his dystopian novels and social commentary. [ʤɔrʤ ˈɔrˌwɛl]

Animal Farm

• Animal Farm: A satirical allegorical novella by George Orwell, published in England on 17 August 1945. [ˈænəməl fɑrm]

I

• I: The speaker or writer referring to themself. [aɪ]

Mr. Jones, of the Manor Farm, had locked the hen-houses for the night, but was too drunk to remember to shut the popholes.

• Mr. Jones: The owner of Manor Farm in the story. [ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz]
• of the Manor Farm: Indicates Mr. Jones's ownership or association with the Manor Farm. [əv ðə ˈmænər fɑrm]
• had locked: Past perfect tense of 'to lock', indicating an action completed before another action in the past. [hæd lɑkt]
• the hen-houses: Buildings where hens are kept. [ðə hen-houses]
• for the night: Indicates the purpose of locking the hen-houses was for the duration of the night. [fər ðə naɪt]
• but: A conjunction indicating a contrast. [bət]
• was too drunk: Indicates Mr. Jones was inebriated to an excessive degree. [wɑz tu drəŋk]
• to remember: Indicates the consequence of being drunk was the inability to recall something. [tɪ rɪˈmɛmbər]
• to shut: To close. [tɪ ʃət]
• the popholes: Small openings in the hen-house for the hens to enter and exit. [ðə popholes]

With the ring of light from his lantern dancing from side to side, he lurched across the yard, kicked off his boots at the back door, drew himself a last glass of beer from the barrel in the scullery, and made his way up to bed, where Mrs. Jones was already snoring.

• With: Expressing accompaniment or possession. [wɪθ]
• the ring of light: The circular area illuminated by the lantern. [ðə rɪŋ əv laɪt]
• from his lantern: The source of the light, a portable lamp. [frəm hɪz ˈlæntərn]
• dancing: Moving erratically or quickly. [ˈdænsɪŋ]
• from side to side: Indicates the direction of the light's movement. [frəm saɪd tɪ saɪd]
• he lurched: Moved unsteadily. [hi lərʧt]
• across the yard: Indicates movement over the open area surrounding the farm buildings. [əˈkrɔs ðə jɑrd]
• kicked off: Removed by kicking. [kɪkt ɔf]
• his boots: Type of footwear. [hɪz buts]
• at the back door: Location where the boots were removed. [æt ðə bæk dɔr]
• drew himself: Poured for himself. [dru hɪmˈsɛlf]
• a last glass of beer: The final serving of beer. [ə læst glæs əv bɪr]
• from the barrel: The container holding the beer. [frəm ðə ˈbɛrəl]
• in the scullery: A small kitchen or room for washing dishes and doing dirty work. [ɪn ðə scullery]
• and made his way: Proceeded. [ənd meɪd hɪz weɪ]
• up to bed: Indicates movement towards the place of sleep. [əp tɪ bɛd]
• where: At which place. [wɛr]
• Mrs. Jones: Mr. Jones's wife. [ˈmɪsɪz ʤoʊnz]
• was already snoring: Was already making a loud breathing sound during sleep. [wɑz ɔˈrɛdi sˈnɔrɪŋ]

As soon as the light in the bedroom went out there was a stirring and a fluttering all through the farm buildings.

• As soon as: Immediately after. [ɛz sun ɛz]
• the light: Referring to the light. [ðə laɪt]
• in the bedroom: Specifies the location of the light. [ɪn ðə ˈbɛˌdrum]
• went out: Was extinguished. [wɛnt aʊt]
• there was: Indicates existence. [ðɛr wɑz]
• a stirring: A slight movement or excitement. [ə stərɪŋ]
• and a fluttering: A light, rapid flapping of wings. [ənd ə ˈflətərɪŋ]
• all through: Throughout. [ɔl θru]
• the farm buildings: The structures on the farm. [ðə fɑrm ˈbɪldɪŋz]

Word had gone round during the day that old Major, the prize Middle White boar, had had a strange dream on the previous night and wished to communicate it to the other animals.

• Word had gone round: News had spread. [wərd hæd gɔn raʊnd]
• during the day: Specifies when the news spread. [ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə deɪ]
• that: Introduces a clause. [ðət]
• old Major: The name of an old pig on the farm. [oʊld ˈmeɪʤər]
• the prize Middle White boar: Describes Major as a highly valued pig of a specific breed. [ðə praɪz ˈmɪdəl waɪt bɔr]
• had had: Past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another action in the past. [hæd hæd]
• a strange dream: An unusual or peculiar dream. [ə streɪnʤ drim]
• on the previous night: The night before the current day. [ɔn ðə ˈpriviəs naɪt]
• and wished: Desired. [ənd wɪʃt]
• to communicate it: To share or convey the dream. [tɪ kəmˈjunəˌkeɪt ɪt]
• to the other animals: The recipients of the communication. [tɪ ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz]

It had been agreed that they should all meet in the big barn as soon as Mr. Jones was safely out of the way.

• It had been agreed: A consensus had been reached. [ɪt hæd bɪn əˈgrid]
• that: Introduces a clause. [ðət]
• they should all meet: They should all gather together. [ðeɪ ʃʊd ɔl mit]
• in the big barn: The location of the meeting. [ɪn ðə bɪg bɑrn]
• as soon as: Immediately after. [ɛz sun ɛz]
• Mr. Jones: The owner of the farm. [ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz]
• was safely out of the way: Was in a location where he could not interfere. [wɑz ˈseɪfli aʊt əv ðə weɪ]

Old Major (so he was always called, though the name under which he had been exhibited was Willingdon Beauty) was so highly regarded on the farm that everyone was quite ready to lose an hour’s sleep in order to hear what he had to say.

• Old Major: Referring to the character Old Major. [oʊld ˈmeɪʤər]
• so he was always called: Explains how Old Major was referred to. [(soʊ hi wɑz ˈɔlˌweɪz kɔld]
• though: Despite the fact that. [ðoʊ]
• the name: The designation. [ðə neɪm]
• under which he had been exhibited: The name he was shown under. [ˈəndər wɪʧ hi hæd bɪn ɪgˈzɪbətəd]
• was Willingdon Beauty: The name under which he was exhibited. [wɑz willingdon ˈbjuti]
• was so highly regarded: Was held in such high esteem. [wɑz soʊ ˈhaɪli rɪˈgɑrdɪd]
• on the farm: Specifies the location of the high regard. [ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• that: Introduces a clause. [ðət]
• everyone: All the animals. [ˈɛvriˌwən]
• was quite ready: Was willing. [wɑz kwaɪt ˈrɛdi]
• to lose an hour’s sleep: To sacrifice sleep. [tɪ luz ən aʊərz slip]
• in order to hear: For the purpose of hearing. [ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ hir]
• what he had to say: The message he wanted to convey. [wət hi hæd tɪ seɪ]

At one end of the big barn, on a sort of raised platform, Major was already ensconced on his bed of straw, under a lantern which hung from a beam.

• At one end of the big barn: describes the location as being at one extremity of a large agricultural building used for storage or livestock [æt wən ɛnd əv ðə bɪg bɑrn]
• on a sort of raised platform: indicates a slightly elevated area, acting as a stage or higher surface [ɔn ə sɔrt əv reɪzd ˈplætˌfɔrm]
• Major: the name of a character, likely an animal in the story [ˈmeɪʤər]
• was already ensconced: means comfortably settled or established; implies a sense of security and being well-positioned [wɑz ɔˈrɛdi ɪnˈskɑnst]
• on his bed of straw: describes the bedding material made of dried stalks of grain, providing a comfortable surface [ɔn hɪz bɛd əv strɔ]
• under a lantern: positioned beneath a light source, likely for illumination [ˈəndər ə ˈlæntərn]
• which hung from a beam: the lantern is suspended from a horizontal structural element, typically made of wood [wɪʧ həŋ frəm ə bim]

He was twelve years old and had lately grown rather stout, but he was still a majestic-looking pig, with a wise and benevolent appearance in spite of the fact that his tushes had never been cut.

• He was twelve years old: Major's age is stated as twelve years [hi wɑz twɛlv jɪrz oʊld]
• and had lately grown rather stout: he has recently become somewhat overweight or bulky [ənd hæd ˈleɪtli groʊn ˈrəðər staʊt]
• but he was still a majestic-looking pig: despite his weight gain, he maintains an impressive and dignified appearance [bət hi wɑz stɪl ə majestic-looking pɪg]
• with a wise and benevolent appearance: he looks intelligent and kind [wɪθ ə waɪz ənd bəˈnɛvələnt əˈpɪrəns]
• in spite of the fact that his tushes had never been cut: despite the fact that his canine teeth (tusks) were never trimmed or removed [ɪn spaɪt əv ðə fækt ðət hɪz ˈtʊʃɪz hæd ˈnɛvər bɪn kət]

Before long the other animals began to arrive and make themselves comfortable after their different fashions.

• Before long the other animals began to arrive: soon, the rest of the animals started coming [ˌbiˈfɔr lɔŋ ðə ˈəðər ˈænəməlz bɪˈgæn tɪ əraɪv]
• and make themselves comfortable: settling in and relaxing [ənd meɪk ðɛmˈsɛlvz ˈkəmfərtəbəl]
• after their different fashions: each in their own way or according to their individual habits [ˈæftər ðɛr ˈdɪfərənt ˈfæʃənz]

First came the three dogs, Bluebell, Jessie, and Pincher, and then the pigs, who settled down in the straw immediately in front of the platform.

• First came the three dogs, Bluebell, Jessie, and Pincher: the initial arrivals were the three dogs, named Bluebell, Jessie, and Pincher [fərst keɪm ðə θri dɔgz ˈbluˌbɛl ˈʤɛsi ənd ˈpɪnʧər]
• and then the pigs: followed by the other pigs [ənd ðɛn ðə pɪgz]
• who settled down in the straw immediately in front of the platform: they made themselves comfortable in the straw directly before the raised area [hu ˈsɛtəld daʊn ɪn ðə strɔ ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli ɪn frənt əv ðə ˈplætˌfɔrm]

The hens perched themselves on the window-sills, the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters, the sheep and cows lay down behind the pigs and began to chew the cud.

• The hens perched themselves on the window-sills: the chickens positioned themselves on the ledges at the bottom of the windows [ðə hɛnz pərʧt ðɛmˈsɛlvz ɔn ðə window-sills]
• the pigeons fluttered up to the rafters: the pigeons flew upwards to the beams supporting the roof [ðə ˈpɪʤənz ˈflətərd əp tɪ ðə ˈræftərz]
• the sheep and cows lay down behind the pigs: the sheep and cows settled down behind the pigs [ðə ʃip ənd kaʊz leɪ daʊn bɪˈhaɪnd ðə pɪgz]
• and began to chew the cud: regurgitating and re-chewing partially digested food, a common practice for ruminants [ənd bɪˈgæn tɪ ʧu ðə cud]

The two cart-horses, Boxer and Clover, came in together, walking very slowly and setting down their vast hairy hoofs with great care lest there should be some small animal concealed in the straw.

• The two cart-horses, Boxer and Clover, came in together: the two horses used for pulling carts, named Boxer and Clover, entered at the same time [ðə tu cart-horses ˈbɑksər ənd ˈkloʊvər keɪm ɪn təˈgɛðər]
• walking very slowly: moving at a deliberate and unhurried pace [ˈwɔkɪŋ ˈvɛri sˈloʊli]
• and setting down their vast hairy hoofs with great care: placing their large, furry feet cautiously [ənd ˈsɛtɪŋ daʊn ðɛr væst ˈhɛri hʊfs wɪθ greɪt kɛr]
• lest there should be some small animal concealed in the straw: for fear that a small animal might be hidden in the straw [lɛst ðɛr ʃʊd bi səm smɔl ˈænəməl kənˈsild ɪn ðə strɔ]

Clover was a stout motherly mare approaching middle life, who had never quite got her figure back after her fourth foal.

• Clover was a stout motherly mare approaching middle life: Clover is described as a heavy-set, nurturing female horse nearing middle age [ˈkloʊvər wɑz ə staʊt ˈməðərli mɛr əˈproʊʧɪŋ ˈmɪdəl laɪf]
• who had never quite got her figure back after her fourth foal: she had not regained her pre-pregnancy shape after giving birth to her fourth offspring [hu hæd ˈnɛvər kwaɪt gɑt hər ˈfɪgjər bæk ˈæftər hər fɔrθ foʊl]

Boxer was an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together.

• Boxer was an enormous beast: Boxer is described as a very large animal [ˈbɑksər wɑz ən ɪˈnɔrmɪs bist]
• nearly eighteen hands high: approximately six feet tall, a hand being a unit of measurement for horses [ˈnɪrli ˈeɪˈtin hænz haɪ]
• and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together: his strength is equivalent to that of two average horses combined [ənd ɛz strɔŋ ɛz ˈɛni tu ˈɔrdəˌnɛri ˈhɔrsɪz pʊt təˈgɛðər]

A white stripe down his nose gave him a somewhat stupid appearance, and in fact he was not of first-rate intelligence, but he was universally respected for his steadiness of character and tremendous powers of work.

• A white stripe down his nose gave him a somewhat stupid appearance: the white marking on his nose made him look a bit unintelligent [ə waɪt straɪp daʊn hɪz noʊz geɪv ɪm ə ˈsəmˈwət ˈstupɪd əˈpɪrəns]
• and in fact he was not of first-rate intelligence: he was not particularly smart [ənd ɪn fækt hi wɑz nɑt əv ˌfərˈstreɪt ˌɪnˈtɛləʤəns]
• but he was universally respected for his steadiness of character: he was widely admired for his reliable and consistent personality [bət hi wɑz ˌjunəˈvərsəli rɪˈspɛktɪd fər hɪz ˈstɛdinɪs əv ˈkɛrɪktər]
• and tremendous powers of work: and his exceptional ability to work hard [ənd trɪˈmɛndəs paʊərz əv wərk]

After the horses came Muriel, the white goat, and Benjamin, the donkey.

• After the horses came Muriel, the white goat, and Benjamin, the donkey: following the horses were Muriel, the white goat, and Benjamin, the donkey [ˈæftər ðə ˈhɔrsɪz keɪm mˈjʊriəl ðə waɪt goʊt ənd ˈbɛnʤəmən ðə ˈdɔŋki]

Benjamin was the oldest animal on the farm, and the worst tempered.

• Benjamin was the oldest animal on the farm: Benjamin is the most senior animal on the farm [ˈbɛnʤəmən wɑz ðə ˈoʊldəst ˈænəməl ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• and the worst tempered: and has the most irritable or bad-natured disposition [ənd ðə wərst ˈtɛmpərd]

He seldom talked, and when he did, it was usually to make some cynical remark – for instance, he would say that God had given him a tail to keep the flies off, but that he would sooner have had no tail and no flies.

• He seldom talked: he rarely spoke [hi ˈsɛldəm tɔkt]
• and when he did, it was usually to make some cynical remark: when he spoke, it was typically to express a pessimistic or distrustful comment [ənd wɪn hi dɪd ɪt wɑz ˈjuʒəwəli tɪ meɪk səm ˈsɪnɪkəl rɪˈmɑrk]
• for instance, he would say that God had given him a tail to keep the flies off: as an example, he would say that God provided him with a tail to ward off flies [fər ˈɪnstəns hi wʊd seɪ ðət gɑd hæd ˈgɪvɪn ɪm ə teɪl tɪ kip ðə flaɪz ɔf]
• but that he would sooner have had no tail and no flies: but he would prefer to have neither a tail nor flies [bət ðət hi wʊd ˈsunər hæv hæd noʊ teɪl ənd noʊ flaɪz]

Alone among the animals on the farm he never laughed.

• Alone among the animals on the farm he never laughed: unlike all the other animals, he never expressed amusement through laughter [əˈloʊn əˈməŋ ðə ˈænəməlz ɔn ðə fɑrm hi ˈnɛvər læft]

If asked why, he would say that he saw nothing to laugh at.

• If asked why, he would say that he saw nothing to laugh at: when questioned, he would respond that he found nothing humorous [ɪf æst waɪ hi wʊd seɪ ðət hi sɔ ˈnəθɪŋ tɪ læf æt]

Nevertheless, without openly admitting it, he was devoted to Boxer; the two of them usually spent their Sundays together in the small paddock beyond the orchard, grazing side by side and never speaking.

• Nevertheless, without openly admitting it, he was devoted to Boxer: however, secretly, he cared deeply for Boxer [ˌnɛvərðəˈlɛs wɪˈθaʊt ˈoʊpənli ədˈmɪtɪŋ ɪt hi wɑz dɪˈvoʊtɪd tɪ ˈbɑksər]
• the two of them usually spent their Sundays together: they typically spent Sundays in each other's company [ðə tu əv ðɛm ˈjuʒəwəli spɛnt ðɛr ˈsənˌdiz təˈgɛðər]
• in the small paddock beyond the orchard: in the small enclosed area past the fruit trees [ɪn ðə smɔl ˈpædək bɪɔnd ðə ˈɔrʧərd]
• grazing side by side and never speaking: eating grass next to each other without conversing [ˈgreɪzɪŋ saɪd baɪ saɪd ənd ˈnɛvər ˈspikɪŋ]