Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 32

One Sunday morning when the animals assembled to receive their orders Napoleon announced that he had decided upon a new policy.

• One Sunday morning: a specific morning, occurring on a Sunday [wən ˈsənˌdi ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• the animals: referring to a group of non-human creatures [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• assembled: gathered together in one place, usually for a specific purpose [əˈsɛmbəld]
• to receive: in order to get or be given something [tɪ rɪˈsiv]
• their orders: instructions or commands given to them [ðɛr ˈɔrdərz]
• Napoleon: the name of a character, likely a leader figure [nəˈpoʊljən]
• announced: formally made a public statement about [əˈnaʊnst]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he had decided: he had made a firm decision [hi hæd ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd]
• upon: regarding or concerning [əˈpɑn]
• a new policy: a different set of rules or guidelines [ə nu ˈpɑləsi]

From now onwards Animal Farm would engage in trade with the neighbouring farms: not, of course, for any commercial purpose but simply in order to obtain certain materials which were urgently necessary.

• From now onwards: starting from this point in time and continuing into the future [frəm naʊ ˈɑnwərdz]
• Animal Farm: the name of the farm, also representing the community [ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• would engage: would participate or be involved [wʊd ɪnˈgeɪʤ]
• in trade: the activity of buying and selling goods or services [ɪn treɪd]
• with: involving or concerning [wɪθ]
• the neighbouring farms: farms located nearby [ðə ˈneɪbərɪŋ fɑrmz]
• not, of course: an expression indicating that something is obvious or understood [nɑt əv kɔrs]
• for any commercial purpose: not for the aim of making profit [fər ˈɛni kəˈmərʃəl ˈpərpəs]
• but: introduces a contrast or exception [bət]
• simply: merely or only [ˈsɪmpli]
• in order to: for the purpose of [ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ]
• certain materials: specific types of resources or supplies [ˈsərtən məˈtɪriəlz]
• which: refers back to the materials [wɪʧ]
• were urgently necessary: were extremely important and needed immediately [wər ˈərʤəntli ˈnɛsəˌsɛri]

The needs of the windmill must override everything else, he said.

• The needs: requirements or necessities [ðə nidz]
• of the windmill: referring to the structure used for grinding grain or generating power [əv ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• must override: must be more important than and take precedence over [məst ˈoʊvərˌraɪd]
• everything else: all other considerations or priorities [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ɛls]
• he said: indicates who made the statement [hi sɛd]

He was therefore making arrangements to sell a stack of hay and part of the current year's wheat crop, and later on, if more money were needed, it would have to be made up by the sale of eggs, for which there was always a market in Willingdon.

• He was therefore: as a result of the previous statement [hi wɑz ˈðɛrˌfɔr]
• making arrangements: planning and preparing [ˈmeɪkɪŋ ərˈeɪnʤmənts]
• to sell: to exchange goods for money [tɪ sɛl]
• a stack of hay: a large pile of dried grass [ə stæk əv heɪ]
• and: in addition to [ənd]
• part of: a portion of [pɑrt əv]
• the current year's wheat crop: the wheat harvested during the present year [ðə ˈkɑrənt jɪrz wit krɑp]
• and later on: at a later time [ənd ˈleɪtər ɔn]
• if more money: a greater amount of currency [ɪf mɔr ˈməni]
• were needed: was required [wər ˈnidɪd]
• it would have to be: it would be necessary [ɪt wʊd hæv tɪ bi]
• made up: compensated for or obtained [meɪd əp]
• by the sale of eggs: by selling eggs [baɪ ðə seɪl əv ɛgz]
• for which: referring to the eggs [fər wɪʧ]
• there was always: there consistently existed [ðɛr wɑz ˈɔlˌweɪz]
• a market: a demand or opportunity to sell goods [ə ˈmɑrkɪt]
• in Willingdon: the name of a place [ɪn willingdon]

The hens, said Napoleon, should welcome this sacrifice as their own special contribution towards the building of the windmill.

• The hens: female chickens [ðə hɛnz]
• said Napoleon: Napoleon stated [sɛd nəˈpoʊljən]
• should welcome: ought to accept willingly [ʃʊd ˈwɛlkəm]
• this sacrifice: the act of giving up something valuable [ðɪs ˈsækrəˌfaɪs]
• as: in the role of [ɛz]
• their own special contribution: their unique and important offering [ðɛr oʊn ˈspɛʃəl ˌkɑntrəˈbjuʃən]
• towards: in the direction of or in support of [təˈwɔrdz]
• the building of the windmill: the construction of the windmill [ðə ˈbɪldɪŋ əv ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]

Once again the animals were conscious of a vague uneasiness.

• Once again: Repeatedly; on another occasion [wəns əˈgɛn]
• the animals: Referring to the group of animals on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• were conscious: Aware; having knowledge of something [wər ˈkɑnʃəs]
• of a vague uneasiness: A feeling of worry or discomfort that is not clearly defined [əv ə veɪg ˌəˈnizinəs]

Never to have any dealings with human beings, never to engage in trade, never to make use of money-had not these been among the earliest resolutions passed at that first triumphant Meeting after Jones was expelled?

• Never: At no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• to have any dealings: To have interactions or business relationships [tɪ hæv ˈɛni ˈdilɪŋz]
• with human beings: With people; members of the species Homo sapiens [wɪθ ˈjumən biɪŋz]
• never: At no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• to engage in trade: To participate in the exchange of goods or services for money or other goods/services [tɪ ɪnˈgeɪʤ ɪn treɪd]
• never: At no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• to make use of money: To utilize currency as a medium of exchange [tɪ meɪk juz əv ˈməni]
• had not these been: Questioning whether these things were not true [hæd nɑt ðiz bɪn]
• among the earliest resolutions: One of the first decisions or agreements made [əˈməŋ ðə ˈərliəst ˌrɛzəˈluʃənz]
• passed at that first triumphant Meeting: Approved during the initial successful gathering [pæst æt ðət fərst traɪˈəmfənt ˈmitɪŋ]
• after Jones was expelled: Following the removal of Mr. Jones from the farm [ˈæftər ʤoʊnz wɑz ɪkˈspɛld]

All the animals remembered passing such resolutions: or at least they thought that they remembered it.

• All the animals: Every animal on the farm [ɔl ðə ˈænəməlz]
• remembered passing such resolutions: Recalled making those decisions [rɪˈmɛmbərd ˈpæsɪŋ səʧ ˌrɛzəˈluʃənz]
• or at least: At the minimum; if nothing else [ər æt list]
• they thought: They believed or assumed [ðeɪ θɔt]
• that they remembered it: That they recalled the event [ðət ðeɪ rɪˈmɛmbərd ɪt]

The four young pigs who had protested when Napoleon abolished the Meetings raised their voices timidly, but they were promptly silenced by a tremendous growling from the dogs.

• The four young pigs: Specifically, four young members of the pig species [ðə fɔr jəŋ pɪgz]
• who had protested: Who had expressed disagreement or objection [hu hæd ˈproʊˌtɛstəd]
• when Napoleon abolished the Meetings: When Napoleon ended the gatherings [wɪn nəˈpoʊljən əˈbɑlɪʃt ðə ˈmitɪŋz]
• raised their voices: Spoke up; expressed their opinions [reɪzd ðɛr ˈvɔɪsɪz]
• timidly: In a shy or hesitant manner [ˈtɪmədli]
• but they were promptly silenced: But they were quickly stopped from speaking [bət ðeɪ wər ˈprɑmptli ˈsaɪlənst]
• by a tremendous growling: By a loud, deep rumbling sound [baɪ ə trɪˈmɛndəs ˈgroʊlɪŋ]
• from the dogs: Made by the canines on the farm [frəm ðə dɔgz]

Then, as usual, the sheep broke into ‘Four legs good, two legs bad!’ and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over.

• Then: Following that; next [ðɛn]
• as usual: As typically happens [ɛz ˈjuʒəwəl]
• the sheep: Referring to the group of sheep on the farm [ðə ʃip]
• broke into: Started suddenly and enthusiastically [broʊk ˈɪntu]
• Four legs good, two legs bad: A slogan or chant used by the sheep [‘‘four lɛgz gʊd tu lɛgz bæd]
• and: Connects two clauses [ənd]
• the momentary awkwardness: The brief feeling of discomfort or embarrassment [ðə ˈmoʊmənˌtɛri ˈɔkwərdnəs]
• was smoothed over: Was resolved or made less noticeable [wɑz smuðd ˈoʊvər]

Finally Napoleon raised his trotter for silence and announced that he had already made all the arrangements.

• Finally: Eventually; after some time [ˈfaɪnəli]
• Napoleon: Referring to the pig leader, Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• raised his trotter: Lifted his foot [reɪzd hɪz ˈtrɑtər]
• for silence: To request quiet [fər ˈsaɪləns]
• and announced: And declared or stated [ənd əˈnaʊnst]
• that he had already made all the arrangements: That he had already organized everything [ðət hi hæd ɔˈrɛdi meɪd ɔl ðə ərˈeɪnʤmənts]

There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings, which would clearly be most undesirable.

• There would be no need: It would not be necessary [ðɛr wʊd bi noʊ nid]
• for any of the animals: For any of the creatures on the farm [fər ˈɛni əv ðə ˈænəməlz]
• to come in contact: To interact or communicate [tɪ kəm ɪn ˈkɑnˌtækt]
• with human beings: With people [wɪθ ˈjumən biɪŋz]
• which would clearly be most undesirable: Which would obviously be very unwanted [wɪʧ wʊd ˈklɪrli bi moʊst ˌəndɪˈzaɪrəbəl]

He intended to take the whole burden upon his own shoulders.

• He intended: He planned or meant [hi ˌɪnˈtɛndɪd]
• to take the whole burden: To assume the entire responsibility [tɪ teɪk ðə hoʊl ˈbərdən]
• upon his own shoulders: Himself; without help from others [əˈpɑn hɪz oʊn ˈʃoʊldərz]

A Mr Whymper, a solicitor living in Willingdon, had agreed to act as intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world, and would visit the farm every Monday morning to receive his instructions.

• A Mr Whymper: A man named Mr. Whymper [ə ˈmɪstər whymper]
• a solicitor: A lawyer [ə səˈlɪsətər]
• living in Willingdon: Residing in the town of Willingdon [ˈlɪvɪŋ ɪn willingdon]
• had agreed: Had consented or accepted [hæd əˈgrid]
• to act as intermediary: To serve as a go-between or mediator [tɪ ækt ɛz ˌɪnərˈmidiɛri]
• between Animal Farm: Connecting Animal Farm [bɪtˈwin ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• and the outside world: And the rest of the world [ənd ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd wərld]
• and would visit the farm: And would come to the farm [ənd wʊd ˈvɪzɪt ðə fɑrm]
• every Monday morning: Each Monday morning [ˈɛvəri ˈmənˌdeɪ ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
• to receive his instructions: To get his orders or directions [tɪ rɪˈsiv hɪz ˌɪnˈstrəkʃənz]

Napoleon ended his speech with his usual cry of ‘Long live Animal Farm!’, and after the singing of ‘Beasts of England’ the animals were dismissed.

• Napoleon ended his speech: Napoleon finished speaking [nəˈpoʊljən ˈɛndɪd hɪz spiʧ]
• with his usual cry: With his typical shout or slogan [wɪθ hɪz ˈjuʒəwəl kraɪ]
• and after the singing: And following the performance of the song [ənd ˈæftər ðə ˈsɪŋɪŋ]
• the animals were dismissed: The animals were allowed to leave [ðə ˈænəməlz wər dɪsˈmɪst]