Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 2

The two horses had just lain down when a brood of ducklings, which had lost their mother, filed into the barn, cheeping feebly and wandering from side to side to find some place where they would not be trodden on.

• The: definite article, referring to specific horses [ðə]
• two horses: refers to a pair of horses [tu ˈhɔrsɪz]
• had just lain down: had recently reclined or rested; 'lain' is the past participle of 'lie' [hæd ʤɪst leɪn daʊn]
• when: conjunction, introducing a clause of time [wɪn]
• a brood of ducklings: a group of young ducks hatched at the same time [ə brud əv ˈdəklɪŋz]
• which: relative pronoun, referring to the brood of ducklings [wɪʧ]
• had lost: past perfect tense of 'lose', indicating that the ducklings had previously lost [hæd lɔst]
• their mother: possessive pronoun 'their' indicating the mother belonging to the ducklings [ðɛr ˈməðər]
• filed into: entered in a line or orderly fashion [faɪld ˈɪntu]
• the barn: a farm building used for storing crops or housing animals [ðə bɑrn]
• cheeping: making a soft, high-pitched sound, typical of young birds [cheeping]
• feebly: weakly; in a faint or ineffective manner [ˈfibli]
• and: conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
• wandering: moving aimlessly or without a fixed direction [ˈwɑndərɪŋ]
• from side to side: moving laterally, indicating a lack of clear direction [frəm saɪd tɪ saɪd]
• to find: in order to locate [tɪ faɪnd]
• some place: an unspecified location [səm pleɪs]
• where: relative adverb, indicating the location [wɛr]
• they: pronoun, referring to the ducklings [ðeɪ]
• would not be trodden on: would not be stepped on; passive voice [wʊd nɑt bi ˈtrɑdən ɔn]

Clover made a sort of wall round them with her great foreleg, and the ducklings nestled down inside it and promptly fell asleep.

• Clover: name of a character, likely a horse [ˈkloʊvər]
• made: past tense of 'make', indicating an action [meɪd]
• a sort of wall: an enclosure resembling a wall, but not necessarily solid [ə sɔrt əv wɔl]
• round them: around the ducklings [raʊnd ðɛm]
• with her great foreleg: using her large front leg [wɪθ hər greɪt foreleg]
• and: conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
• the ducklings: referring to the young ducks [ðə ˈdəklɪŋz]
• nestled down: settled comfortably and closely together [ˈnɛsəld daʊn]
• inside it: within the enclosure made by Clover's leg [ˌɪnˈsaɪd ɪt]
• and: conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
• promptly: quickly; without delay [ˈprɑmptli]
• fell asleep: began to sleep [fɛl əsˈlip]

At the last moment Mollie, the foolish, pretty white mare who drew Mr. Jones’s trap, came mincing daintily in, chewing at a lump of sugar.

• At the last moment: Very late; just before something else happened [æt ðə læst ˈmoʊmənt]
• Mollie: name of a character, likely a horse [ˈmɑli]
• the foolish, pretty white mare: descriptive phrase identifying Mollie; 'mare' is a female horse [ðə ˈfulɪʃ ˈprɪti waɪt mɛr]
• who: relative pronoun, referring to Mollie [hu]
• drew: pulled or hauled [dru]
• Mr. Jones’s trap: a light, two-wheeled carriage belonging to Mr. Jones [ˈmɪstər ˈʤoʊnzɪz træp]
• came mincing daintily in: entered with small, affected steps [keɪm ˈmɪnsɪŋ daintily ɪn]
• chewing: grinding food with the teeth [ʧuɪŋ]
• at a lump of sugar: a small, solid piece of sugar [æt ə ləmp əv ˈʃʊgər]

She took a place near the front and began flirting her white mane, hoping to draw attention to the red ribbons it was plaited with.

• She: pronoun, referring to Mollie [ʃi]
• took a place: positioned herself [tʊk ə pleɪs]
• near the front: close to the front of the barn [nɪr ðə frənt]
• and: conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
• began flirting: started behaving in a way to attract attention [bɪˈgæn ˈflərtɪŋ]
• her white mane: the long hair growing on the back of her neck [hər waɪt meɪn]
• hoping: desiring or wishing [ˈhoʊpɪŋ]
• to draw attention: to attract notice [tɪ drɔ əˈtɛnʃən]
• to the red ribbons: towards the red decorative bands [tɪ ðə rɛd ˈrɪbənz]
• it was plaited with: that were woven into her mane [ɪt wɑz ˈpleɪtəd wɪθ]

Last of all came the cat, who looked round, as usual, for the warmest place, and finally squeezed herself in between Boxer and Clover; there she purred contentedly throughout Major’s speech without listening to a word of what he was saying.

• Last of all: Finally; at the very end [læst əv ɔl]
• came the cat: referring to a feline animal [keɪm ðə kæt]
• who: relative pronoun, referring to the cat [hu]
• looked round: searched around [lʊkt raʊnd]
• as usual: typically; as was her habit [ɛz ˈjuʒəwəl]
• for the warmest place: seeking the location with the highest temperature [fər ðə ˈwɔrməst pleɪs]
• and: conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
• finally: eventually; after some time [ˈfaɪnəli]
• squeezed herself in: forced herself into a tight space [skwizd hərˈsɛlf ɪn]
• between Boxer and Clover: in the space separating Boxer and Clover, who are likely horses [bɪtˈwin ˈbɑksər ənd ˈkloʊvər]
• there: in that place [ðɛr]
• she: pronoun, referring to the cat [ʃi]
• purred contentedly: made a soft, vibrating sound expressing satisfaction [purred kənˈtɛntədli]
• throughout Major’s speech: during the entire duration of Major's talk [θruaʊt ˈmeɪʤərz spiʧ]
• without listening: without paying attention [wɪˈθaʊt ˈlɪsənɪŋ]
• to a word: not even a single word [tɪ ə wərd]
• of what he was saying: of the content of his speech [əv wət hi wɑz seɪɪŋ]

All the animals were now present except Moses, the tame raven, who slept on a perch behind the back door.

• All: refers to the entirety of the animals [ɔl]
• the animals: referring to a group of animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• were: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of existence in the past [wər]
• now: at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]
• present: being in a particular place; in attendance [ˈprɛzənt]
• except: excluding; not including [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• Moses: a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈmoʊzɪs]
• the tame raven: a raven that is not wild and is accustomed to being around humans [ðə teɪm ˈreɪvən]
• who: relative pronoun referring to Moses [hu]
• slept: past tense of 'to sleep', indicating the action of resting [slɛpt]
• on a perch: a high seat or resting place [ɔn ə pərʧ]
• behind: at the back of [bɪˈhaɪnd]
• the back door: the door located at the rear of a building [ðə bæk dɔr]

‘Comrades, you have heard already about the strange dream that I had last night.

• Comrades: a term used to address a group of people, often implying a sense of shared purpose or solidarity [‘‘comrades]
• you: referring to the audience being addressed [ju]
• have heard: present perfect tense of 'to hear', indicating that the audience has previously been informed [hæv hərd]
• already: previously; before now [ɔˈrɛdi]
• about: concerning; regarding [əˈbaʊt]
• the strange dream: an unusual or peculiar dream [ðə streɪnʤ drim]
• that: relative pronoun referring to 'the strange dream' [ðət]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• had: past tense of 'to have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]
• last night: the night before the current day [læst naɪt]

But I will come to the dream later.

• But: conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• will come: future tense of 'to come', indicating a future action [wɪl kəm]
• to the dream: referring to the previously mentioned dream [tɪ ðə drim]
• later: at a subsequent time; after something else [ˈleɪtər]

I have something else to say first.

• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• have: present tense of 'to have', indicating possession [hæv]
• something else: an additional or different thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ ɛls]
• to say: to express verbally [tɪ seɪ]
• first: before anything else; initially [fərst]

I do not think, comrades, that I shall be with you for many months longer, and before I die, I feel it my duty to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired.

• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• do not think: expressing a lack of belief or opinion [du nɑt θɪŋk]
• comrades: a term used to address a group of people, often implying a sense of shared purpose or solidarity [ˈkɑmˌrædz]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• shall be: future tense of 'to be', indicating a future state of existence [ʃæl bi]
• with you: in the company of the audience [wɪθ ju]
• for many months: for a considerable period of time measured in months [fər ˈmɛni mənθs]
• longer: for a more extended duration [ˈlɔŋgər]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• before: prior to; in advance of [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• die: to cease living [daɪ]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• feel: to experience an emotion or sensation [fil]
• it: referring to the following clause [ɪt]
• my duty: a moral or legal obligation [maɪ ˈduti]
• to pass on: to transmit or convey [tɪ pæs ɔn]
• to you: to the audience being addressed [tɪ ju]
• such wisdom: a great amount of knowledge and good judgment [səʧ ˈwɪzdəm]
• as: to the extent that; in the same way that [ɛz]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• have acquired: present perfect tense of 'to acquire', indicating something gained over time [hæv əkˈwaɪərd]

I have had a long life, I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall, and I think I may say that I understand the nature of life on this earth as well as any animal now living.

• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• have had: present perfect tense of 'to have', indicating experience [hæv hæd]
• a long life: a life that has lasted for a considerable time [ə lɔŋ laɪf]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• have had: present perfect tense of 'to have', indicating experience [hæv hæd]
• much time: a considerable amount of time [məʧ taɪm]
• for thought: for contemplation and reflection [fər θɔt]
• as: while; during the time that [ɛz]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• lay: past tense of 'to lie', indicating a resting position [leɪ]
• alone: without company; solitary [əˈloʊn]
• in my stall: in the individual enclosure where an animal is kept [ɪn maɪ stɔl]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• think: to have an opinion or belief [θɪŋk]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• may say: expressing a possibility or permission to say something [meɪ seɪ]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• understand: to perceive the meaning of; to comprehend [ˌəndərˈstænd]
• the nature of life: the fundamental characteristics and qualities of existence [ðə ˈneɪʧər əv laɪf]
• on this earth: on the planet Earth [ɔn ðɪs ərθ]
• as well as: to the same extent or degree as [ɛz wɛl ɛz]
• any animal: any member of the animal kingdom [ˈɛni ˈænəməl]
• now living: currently alive [naʊ ˈlɪvɪŋ]

It is about this that I wish to speak to you.

• It: referring to the subject of the speech [ɪt]
• is: present tense of 'to be', linking the subject and predicate [ɪz]
• about this: concerning this topic [əˈbaʊt ðɪs]
• that: introduces a relative clause [ðət]
• I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• wish: to desire or want [wɪʃ]
• to speak: to express oneself verbally [tɪ spik]
• to you: to the audience being addressed [tɪ ju]

‘Now, comrades, what is the nature of this life of ours?

• Now: an introductory word, indicating the beginning of a statement or a shift in topic [‘‘now]
• comrades: a term used to address a group of people, suggesting a sense of shared purpose or solidarity [ˈkɑmˌrædz]
• what is: a question phrase used to inquire about the nature or characteristics of something [wət ɪz]
• the nature of: the fundamental qualities or characteristics of something [ðə ˈneɪʧər əv]
• this life of ours: referring to the collective existence or experience of the speaker and their group [ðɪs laɪf əv ɑrz]

Let us face it: our lives are miserable, laborious, and short.

• Let us face it: an expression used to urge someone to acknowledge a difficult or unpleasant truth [lɛt ˈjuˈɛs feɪs ɪt]
• our lives: referring to the collective existence or experience of the speaker and their group [ɑr lɪvz]
• are miserable: describing a state of extreme unhappiness or suffering [ər ˈmɪzərəbəl]
• laborious: requiring considerable effort and time; characterized by hard work [ləˈbɔriəs]
• and short: limited in duration or length [ənd ʃɔrt]

We are born, we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies, and those of us who are capable of it are forced to work to the last atom of our strength; and the very instant that our usefulness has come to an end we are slaughtered with hideous cruelty.

• We are born: the beginning of life; the act of being brought into existence [wi ər bɔrn]
• we are given: to receive or be provided with something [wi ər ˈgɪvɪn]
• just so much food: only the necessary amount of nourishment [ʤɪst soʊ məʧ fud]
• as will keep the breath in our bodies: enough sustenance to sustain life [ɛz wɪl kip ðə brɛθ ɪn ɑr ˈbɑdiz]
• and those of us: referring to a subset of the group being addressed [ənd ðoʊz əv ˈjuˈɛs]
• who are capable of it: those who possess the ability or capacity to do something [hu ər ˈkeɪpəbəl əv ɪt]
• are forced to work: compelled or obliged to perform labor [ər fɔrst tɪ wərk]
• to the last atom of our strength: exhausting every bit of energy and power [tɪ ðə læst ˈætəm əv ɑr strɛŋθ]
• and the very instant: the precise moment [ənd ðə ˈvɛri ˈɪnstənt]
• that our usefulness has come to an end: when our ability to serve a purpose is over [ðət ɑr ˈjusfəlnəs həz kəm tɪ ən ɛnd]
• we are slaughtered: killed brutally and indiscriminately [wi ər sˈlɔtərd]
• with hideous cruelty: in a shockingly brutal and inhumane manner [wɪθ ˈhɪdiəs ˈkruəlti]

No animal in England knows the meaning of happiness or leisure after he is a year old.

• No animal: not a single creature [noʊ ˈænəməl]
• in England: referring to the geographical location of England [ɪn ˈɪŋglənd]
• knows the meaning of: understands the significance or concept of [noʊz ðə ˈminɪŋ əv]
• happiness or leisure: the state of being joyful and content, or the freedom from work or duties [ˈhæpinəs ər ˈlɛʒər]
• after he is a year old: once they reach the age of one year [ˈæftər hi ɪz ə jɪr oʊld]

No animal in England is free.

• No animal: not a single creature [noʊ ˈænəməl]
• in England: referring to the geographical location of England [ɪn ˈɪŋglənd]
• is free: not under the control or domination of another [ɪz fri]

The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth.

• The life of an animal: the existence of a creature [ðə laɪf əv ən ˈænəməl]
• is misery and slavery: a state of extreme unhappiness and servitude [ɪz ˈmɪzəri ənd sˈleɪvəri]
• that is the plain truth: a straightforward and undeniable fact [ðət ɪz ðə pleɪn truθ]