Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 25

The whole farm was deeply divided on the subject of the windmill.

• The whole farm: Refers to the entirety of the agricultural land and its associated buildings and inhabitants [ðə hoʊl fɑrm]
• was deeply divided: Indicates a significant disagreement or split in opinion [wɑz ˈdipli dɪˈvaɪdɪd]
• on the subject of: Regarding the topic of; concerning [ɔn ðə ˈsəbʤɪkt əv]
• the windmill: A structure with sails that are turned by the wind to generate power [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

Snowball did not deny that to build it would be a difficult business.

• Snowball: A character's name in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• did not deny: Acknowledged or admitted [dɪd nɑt dɪˈnaɪ]
• that to build it: Referring to the act of constructing the windmill [ðət tɪ bɪld ɪt]
• would be: Expressing a conditional or future possibility [wʊd bi]
• a difficult business: A challenging or arduous undertaking [ə ˈdɪfəkəlt ˈbɪznɪs]

Stone would have to be quarried and built up into walls, then the sails would have to be made and after that there would be need for dynamos and cables. (How these were to be procured Snowball did not say.) But he maintained that it could all be done in a year.

• Stone: Rock material used for construction [stoʊn]
• would have to be quarried: Would need to be extracted from a quarry [wʊd hæv tɪ bi quarried]
• and built up into walls: And constructed into vertical structures [ənd bɪlt əp ˈɪntu wɔlz]
• then: Following that; next [ðɛn]
• the sails: The rotating arms of the windmill that catch the wind [ðə seɪlz]
• would have to be made: Would need to be manufactured or created [wʊd hæv tɪ bi meɪd]
• and after that: Subsequently; following those steps [ənd ˈæftər ðət]
• there would be need: It would be necessary [ðɛr wʊd bi nid]
• for dynamos and cables: For electrical generators and wires [fər dynamos ənd ˈkeɪbəlz]
• How these were to be procured: The method by which these items would be obtained [haʊ ðiz wər tɪ bi proʊˈkjʊrd]
• Snowball did not say: Snowball did not specify or explain [sˈnoʊˌbɔl dɪd nɑt seɪ]
• But he maintained: He insisted or asserted [bət hi meɪnˈteɪnd]
• that it could all be done: That the entire project could be completed [ðət ɪt kʊd ɔl bi dən]
• in a year: Within a 12-month period [ɪn ə jɪr]

And thereafter, he declared, so much labour would be saved that the animals would only need to work three days a week.

• And thereafter: After that time; subsequently [ənd ðɛˈræftər]
• he declared: He stated emphatically [hi dɪˈklɛrd]
• so much labour: A large amount of work [soʊ məʧ ˈleɪbər]
• would be saved: Would be reduced or made unnecessary [wʊd bi seɪvd]
• that the animals: Referring to the inhabitants of the farm [ðət ðə ˈænəməlz]
• would only need to work: Would only be required to perform tasks [wʊd ˈoʊnli nid tɪ wərk]
• three days a week: For three days out of every seven [θri deɪz ə wik]

Napoleon, on the other hand, argued that the great need of the moment was to increase food production, and that if they wasted time on the windmill they would all starve to death.

• Napoleon: A character's name in the story [nəˈpoʊljən]
• on the other hand: Conversely; in contrast [ɔn ðə ˈəðər hænd]
• argued: Presented a case or viewpoint [ˈɑrgjud]
• that the great need: That the most important requirement [ðət ðə greɪt nid]
• of the moment: At the present time [əv ðə ˈmoʊmənt]
• was to increase: Was to make greater [wɑz tɪ ˌɪnˈkris]
• food production: The amount of food being produced [fud pərˈdəkʃən]
• and that if they wasted time: And that if they spent time unwisely [ənd ðət ɪf ðeɪ ˈweɪstɪd taɪm]
• on the windmill: On the construction of the windmill [ɔn ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• they would all starve to death: They would all die from lack of food [ðeɪ wʊd ɔl stɑrv tɪ dɛθ]

The animals formed themselves into two factions under the slogans, ‘Vote for Snowball and the three-day week’ and ‘Vote for Napoleon and the full manger.’ Benjamin was the only animal who did not side with either faction.

• The animals formed themselves: The animals organized themselves [ðə ˈænəməlz fɔrmd ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• into two factions: Into two opposing groups [ˈɪntu tu ˈfækʃənz]
• under the slogans: Guided by the catchphrases [ˈəndər ðə sˈloʊgənz]
• Vote for Snowball: Support Snowball in the decision [voʊt fər sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• and the three-day week: And the promise of working only three days a week [ənd ðə three-day wik]
• Vote for Napoleon: Support Napoleon in the decision [voʊt fər nəˈpoʊljən]
• and the full manger: And a plentiful supply of food [ənd ðə fʊl ˈmeɪnʤər]
• Benjamin: A character's name in the story [ˈbɛnʤəmən]
• was the only animal: Was the sole creature [wɑz ðə ˈoʊnli ˈænəməl]
• who did not side: Who did not align himself [hu dɪd nɑt saɪd]
• with either faction: With either of the opposing groups [wɪθ ˈiðər ˈfækʃən]

He refused to believe either that food would become more plentiful or that the windmill would save work.

• He refused to believe: He declined to accept as true [hi rɪfˈjuzd tɪ bɪˈliv]
• either that food would become more plentiful: Neither that food supplies would increase [ˈiðər ðət fud wʊd bɪˈkəm mɔr ˈplɛnɪfəl]
• or that the windmill would save work: Nor that the windmill would reduce the amount of labor required [ər ðət ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl wʊd seɪv wərk]

Windmill or no windmill, he said, life would go on as it had always gone on – that is, badly.

• Windmill or no windmill: Regardless of whether the windmill is built or not [ˈwɪndˌmɪl ər noʊ ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• he said: He stated [hi sɛd]
• life would go on: Life would continue [laɪf wʊd goʊ ɔn]
• as it had always gone on: In the same way it always had [ɛz ɪt hæd ˈɔlˌweɪz gɔn ɔn]
• that is: Meaning; in other words [ðət ɪz]
• badly: Poorly; unfavorably [ˈbædli]

Apart from the disputes over the windmill, there was the question of the defence of the farm.

• Apart from: besides; in addition to [əˈpɑrt frəm]
• the disputes: arguments or disagreements [ðə dɪˈspjuts]
• over: concerning; about [ˈoʊvər]
• the windmill: a structure with sails that uses wind power to generate energy or grind grain [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• there was: indicates the existence of something [ðɛr wɑz]
• the question: a matter or issue to be discussed or resolved [ðə kˈwɛʃən]
• of: relating to [əv]
• the defence: the act of protecting something from attack [ðə dɪˈfɛns]
• of: indicating the object being defended [əv]
• the farm: the agricultural land and buildings [ðə fɑrm]

It was fully realised that though the human beings had been defeated in the Battle of the Cowshed they might make another and more determined attempt to recapture the farm and reinstate Mr Jones.

• It was: referring to the importance of the defence [ɪt wɑz]
• fully realised: completely understood [ˈfʊli ˈriəˌlaɪzd]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• though: although [ðoʊ]
• the human beings: people; in this context, the farmers [ðə ˈjumən biɪŋz]
• had been defeated: had lost a battle [hæd bɪn dɪˈfitɪd]
• in: indicating location or context [ɪn]
• the Battle of the Cowshed: a specific battle that had previously occurred [ðə ˈbætəl əv ðə cowshed]
• they: referring to the human beings [ðeɪ]
• might: could possibly [maɪt]
• make: to perform or do [meɪk]
• another: one more [əˈnəðər]
• and: in addition [ənd]
• more determined: showing greater resolve [mɔr dɪˈtərmənd]
• attempt: effort to achieve something [əˈtɛmpt]
• to recapture: to take back by force [tɪ riˈkæpʧər]
• the farm: the agricultural land and buildings [ðə fɑrm]
• and: and also [ənd]
• reinstate: restore to a previous position [ˌriɪnˈsteɪt]
• Mr Jones: the former owner of the farm [ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz]

They had all the more reason for doing so because the news of their defeat had spread across the countryside and made the animals on the neighbouring farms more restive than ever.

• They: referring to the human beings [ðeɪ]
• had: possessed [hæd]
• all the more reason: even greater motivation [ɔl ðə mɔr ˈrizən]
• for doing so: to take back the farm [fər duɪŋ soʊ]
• because: for the reason that [bɪˈkəz]
• the news: information about recent events [ðə nuz]
• of: relating to [əv]
• their defeat: the fact that they lost [ðɛr dɪˈfit]
• had spread: had become widely known [hæd sprɛd]
• across: throughout [əˈkrɔs]
• the countryside: the rural area [ðə ˈkəntriˌsaɪd]
• and: and as a result [ənd]
• made: caused [meɪd]
• the animals: the non-human inhabitants of the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• on: located at [ɔn]
• the neighbouring farms: farms that are nearby [ðə ˈneɪbərɪŋ fɑrmz]
• more restive: more uneasy or difficult to control [mɔr ˈrɛstɪv]
• than ever: compared to any previous time [ðən ˈɛvər]

As usual, Snowball and Napoleon were in disagreement.

• As usual: as is typical [ɛz ˈjuʒəwəl]
• Snowball: a character in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• and: and [ənd]
• Napoleon: a character in the story [nəˈpoʊljən]
• were: past tense of 'to be' indicating their state [wər]
• in disagreement: not in agreement; having different opinions [ɪn dɪsəˈgrimənt]

According to Napoleon, what the animals must do was to procure firearms and train themselves in the use of them.

• According to: in the opinion of [əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ]
• Napoleon: a character in the story [nəˈpoʊljən]
• what: the thing that [wət]
• the animals: the non-human inhabitants of the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• must do: should do; have to do [məst du]
• was: equating what they must do with the following action [wɑz]
• to procure: to obtain; to get [tɪ proʊˈkjʊr]
• firearms: guns and other weapons [ˈfaɪˌrɑrmz]
• and: and also [ənd]
• train: to teach or learn a skill [treɪn]
• themselves: referring back to the animals [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• in: regarding [ɪn]
• the use: the act of using [ðə juz]
• of them: referring to the firearms [əv ðɛm]

According to Snowball, they must send out more and more pigeons and stir up rebellion among the animals on the other farms.

• According to: in the opinion of [əˈkɔrdɪŋ tɪ]
• Snowball: a character in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• must: should; have to [məst]
• send out: to dispatch; to send [sɛnd aʊt]
• more and more: an increasing number of [mɔr ənd mɔr]
• pigeons: a type of bird [ˈpɪʤənz]
• and: and also [ənd]
• stir up: to incite; to provoke [stər əp]
• rebellion: an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler [rɪˈbɛljən]
• among: within a group of [əˈməŋ]
• the animals: the non-human inhabitants [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• on: located at [ɔn]
• the other farms: farms that are not their own [ðə ˈəðər fɑrmz]

The one argued that if they could not defend themselves they were bound to be conquered, the other argued that if rebellions happened everywhere they would have no need to defend themselves.

• The one: referring to Napoleon's idea [ðə wən]
• argued: stated as a reason [ˈɑrgjud]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• if: conditional; introducing a condition [ɪf]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• could not: were unable to [kʊd nɑt]
• defend: to protect [dɪˈfɛnd]
• themselves: referring back to the animals [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• were bound: were certain [wər baʊnd]
• to be conquered: to be defeated and taken over [tɪ bi ˈkɑŋkərd]
• the other: referring to Snowball's idea [ðə ˈəðər]
• argued: stated as a reason [ˈɑrgjud]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• if: conditional; introducing a condition [ɪf]
• rebellions: acts of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler [rɪˈbɛljənz]
• happened: occurred [ˈhæpənd]
• everywhere: in all places [ˈɛvriˌwɛr]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• would have: would possess [wʊd hæv]
• no need: no requirement [noʊ nid]
• to defend: to protect [tɪ dɪˈfɛnd]
• themselves: referring back to the animals [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]

The animals listened first to Napoleon, then to Snowball, and could not make up their minds which was right; indeed they always found themselves in agreement with the one who was speaking at the moment.

• The animals: the non-human inhabitants of the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• listened: paid attention [ˈlɪsənd]
• first: initially [fərst]
• to: towards [tɪ]
• Napoleon: a character in the story [nəˈpoʊljən]
• then: after that [ðɛn]
• to: towards [tɪ]
• Snowball: a character in the story [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• and: and as a result [ənd]
• could not: were unable to [kʊd nɑt]
• make up: to decide [meɪk əp]
• their minds: what to think [ðɛr maɪndz]
• which: which one [wɪʧ]
• was: to be [wɑz]
• right: correct [raɪt]
• indeed: in fact [ˌɪnˈdid]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• always: every time [ˈɔlˌweɪz]
• found: discovered [faʊnd]
• themselves: referring back to the animals [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• in agreement: having the same opinion [ɪn əˈgrimənt]
• with: with [wɪθ]
• the one: the person [ðə wən]
• who was: that was [hu wɑz]
• speaking: talking [ˈspikɪŋ]
• at the moment: at that particular time [æt ðə ˈmoʊmənt]