Animal Farm — Page 50 | English + Contextual Explanations

You are reading page 50 of 71 from Animal Farm by George Orwell. Use the contextual explanations to improve your English comprehension.

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Three days later there was a terrible hullabaloo.

Three days later: A phrase indicating a time lapse of three days from a previous event [θri deɪz ˈleɪtər]
there was: Indicates the existence or occurrence of something [ðɛr wɑz]
a terrible hullabaloo: A great noise or commotion; an uproar [ə ˈtɛrəbəl ˌhələbəˈlu]

Whymper, his face deadly pale, came racing up the path on his bicycle, flung it down in the yard and rushed straight into the farmhouse.

Whymper: A character's name [~~whymper~~]
his face deadly pale: Describing Whymper's appearance, indicating extreme fear or shock [hɪz feɪs ˈdɛdli peɪl]
came racing up the path: Describing Whymper's rapid movement towards a location [keɪm ˈreɪsɪŋ əp ðə pæθ]
on his bicycle: Specifies the mode of transportation used by Whymper [ɔn hɪz ˈbaɪsɪkəl]
flung it down: Describing the action of throwing the bicycle down forcefully [fləŋ ɪt daʊn]
in the yard: Specifies the location where the bicycle was thrown [ɪn ðə jɑrd]
and rushed straight: Describing the quick and direct movement of Whymper [ənd rəʃt streɪt]
into the farmhouse: Specifies the destination of Whymper's movement [ˈɪntu ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]

The next moment a choking roar of rage sounded from Napoleon's apartments.

The next moment: Indicates the immediate succession of events [ðə nɛkst ˈmoʊmənt]
a choking roar of rage: Describing the sound emanating from Napoleon, indicating extreme anger [ə ˈʧoʊkɪŋ rɔr əv reɪʤ]
sounded from Napoleon's apartments: Specifies the origin of the sound [ˈsaʊndɪd frəm nəˈpoʊliənz əˈpɑrtmənts]

The news of what had happened sped round the farm like wildfire.

The news of what had happened: Refers to the information about a recent event [ðə nuz əv wət hæd ˈhæpənd]
sped round the farm: Describing the rapid spread of news throughout the farm [spɛd raʊnd ðə fɑrm]
like wildfire: A simile comparing the speed of the news spreading to that of a wildfire [laɪk ˈwaɪldˌfaɪər]

The bank-notes were forgeries!

The bank-notes: Refers to paper money [ðə ~~bank-notes~~]
were forgeries: Indicates that the bank-notes were fake or counterfeit [wər ˈfɔrʤəriz]

Frederick had got the timber for nothing!

Frederick: A character's name [ˈfrɛdərɪk]
had got the timber: Indicates that Frederick had obtained the timber [hæd gɑt ðə ˈtɪmbər]
for nothing: Meaning without paying any price; for free [fər ˈnəθɪŋ]

Napoleon called the animals together immediately and in a terrible voice pronounced the death sentence upon Frederick.

Napoleon: A character's name [nəˈpoʊljən]
called the animals together: Ordered the animals to assemble [kɔld ðə ˈænəməlz təˈgɛðər]
immediately: Without delay; at once [ˌɪˈmiˌdiətli]
and in a terrible voice: Describing the manner in which Napoleon spoke, indicating anger or severity [ənd ɪn ə ˈtɛrəbəl vɔɪs]
pronounced the death sentence: Declared the punishment of death [prəˈnaʊnst ðə dɛθ ˈsɛntəns]
upon Frederick: Specifies who the death sentence was declared against [əˈpɑn ˈfrɛdərɪk]

When captured, he said, Frederick should be boiled alive.

When captured: Refers to the hypothetical event of Frederick being caught [wɪn ˈkæpʧərd]
he said: Attribution of the following statement to Napoleon [hi sɛd]
Frederick should be boiled alive: A gruesome description of the intended punishment for Frederick [ˈfrɛdərɪk ʃʊd bi bɔɪld əˈlaɪv]

At the same time he warned them that after this treacherous deed the worst was to be expected.

At the same time: Simultaneously; concurrently [æt ðə seɪm taɪm]
he warned them: Napoleon cautioned the animals [hi wɔrnd ðɛm]
that after this treacherous deed: Referring to Frederick's act of betrayal [ðət ˈæftər ðɪs ˈtrɛʧərəs did]
the worst was to be expected: Implies that the consequences would be severe [ðə wərst wɑz tɪ bi ɪkˈspɛktɪd]

Frederick and his men might make their long-expected attack at any moment.

Frederick and his men: Referring to Frederick and his followers [ˈfrɛdərɪk ənd hɪz mɛn]
might make their long-expected attack: Suggests a potential attack that has been anticipated for some time [maɪt meɪk ðɛr ~~long-expected~~ əˈtæk]
at any moment: Meaning at any unspecified time in the near future [æt ˈɛni ˈmoʊmənt]

Sentinels were placed at all the approaches to the farm.

Sentinels: Guards or watchmen [ˈsɛntənəlz]
were placed: Indicates that sentinels were stationed [wər pleɪst]
at all the approaches: Specifies that sentinels were positioned at every entry point [æt ɔl ðə əˈproʊʧɪz]
to the farm: Specifies the location being guarded [tɪ ðə fɑrm]

In addition, four pigeons were sent to Fox-wood with a conciliatory message, which it was hoped might re-establish good relations with Pilkington.

In addition: Furthermore; besides [ɪn əˈdɪʃən]
four pigeons: Specifies the number and type of birds [fɔr ˈpɪʤənz]
were sent: Indicates that the pigeons were dispatched [wər sɛnt]
to Fox-wood: Specifies the destination of the pigeons [tɪ ~~fox-wood~~]
with a conciliatory message: Carrying a message intended to make someone less angry or hostile [wɪθ ə kənˈsɪˌliəˌtɔri ˈmɛsɪʤ]
which it was hoped: Expressing the hope or desire [wɪʧ ɪt wɑz hoʊpt]
might re-establish good relations: To restore positive relationships [maɪt ~~re-establish~~ gʊd riˈleɪʃənz]
with Pilkington: Specifies the individual with whom relations are to be restored [wɪθ ˈpɪlkɪŋtən]

The very next morning the attack came.

The: definite article, referring to a specific morning [ðə]
very: used to emphasize the noun it modifies, indicating 'exactly' or 'precisely' [ˈvɛri]
next: immediately following in time or order [nɛkst]
morning: the period of time between sunrise and noon [ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
the attack: a violent attempt to defeat an enemy [ðə əˈtæk]
came: past tense of 'come', meaning to arrive or happen [keɪm]

The animals were at breakfast when the look-outs came racing in with the news that Frederick and his followers had already come through the five-barred gate.

The animals: referring to the animals on the farm as a collective group [ðə ˈænəməlz]
were: past tense of 'be', indicating a state or condition [wər]
at breakfast: eating the first meal of the day [æt ˈbrɛkfəst]
when: at the time that [wɪn]
the look-outs: individuals assigned to watch for danger [ðə ~~look-outs~~]
came racing in: arrived quickly and excitedly [keɪm ˈreɪsɪŋ ɪn]
with the news: carrying information [wɪθ ðə nuz]
that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
Frederick: a proper noun, the name of a character [ˈfrɛdərɪk]
and: connects two or more words or phrases [ənd]
his followers: people who support or adhere to Frederick [hɪz ˈfɑloʊərz]
had already come: past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another point in the past [hæd ɔˈrɛdi kəm]
through: passing from one side to the other [θru]
the five-barred gate: a gate with five horizontal bars, a specific entrance [ðə ~~five-barred~~ geɪt]

Boldly enough the animals sallied forth to meet them, but this time they did not have the easy victory that they had had in the Battle of the Cowshed.

Boldly enough: with courage and confidence, but perhaps imprudently [ˈboʊldli ɪˈnəf]
the animals: referring to the animals on the farm as a collective group [ðə ˈænəməlz]
sallied forth: went out to take action, often in a spirited or energetic way [~~sallied~~ fɔrθ]
to meet them: to confront or engage with Frederick and his followers [tɪ mit ðɛm]
but: introduces a contrast or exception [bət]
this time: on this particular occasion [ðɪs taɪm]
they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
did not have: past tense negative form of 'have', indicating a lack of something [dɪd nɑt hæv]
the easy victory: a win achieved without much difficulty [ðə ˈizi ˈvɪktəri]
that: introduces a relative clause [ðət]
they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
had had: past perfect tense of 'have', indicating a prior experience [hæd hæd]
in the Battle of the Cowshed: referring to a specific previous battle [ɪn ðə ˈbætəl əv ðə ~~cowshed~~]

There were fifteen men, with half a dozen guns between them, and they opened fire as soon as they got within fifty yards.

There: used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]
were: past tense of 'be', indicating existence [wər]
fifteen men: a group of fifteen male individuals [ˈfɪfˈtin mɛn]
with: having or possessing [wɪθ]
half a dozen: six [hæf ə ˈdəzən]
guns: firearms [gənz]
between them: shared among the fifteen men [bɪtˈwin ðɛm]
and: connects two or more words or phrases [ənd]
they: referring to the fifteen men [ðeɪ]
opened fire: began shooting [ˈoʊpənd faɪər]
as soon as: immediately after [ɛz sun ɛz]
they: referring to the fifteen men [ðeɪ]
got: past tense of 'get', meaning to arrive or reach [gɑt]
within: inside the range or limit of [wɪˈθɪn]
fifty yards: a unit of distance, approximately 45.7 meters [ˈfɪfti jɑrdz]

The animals could not face the terrible explosions and the stinging pellets, and in spite of the efforts of Napoleon and Boxer to rally them they were soon driven back.

The animals: referring to the animals on the farm as a collective group [ðə ˈænəməlz]
could not face: were unable to withstand [kʊd nɑt feɪs]
the terrible explosions: loud and destructive bursts of energy [ðə ˈtɛrəbəl ɪkˈsploʊʒənz]
and: connects two or more words or phrases [ənd]
the stinging pellets: small, painful projectiles [ðə ˈstɪŋɪŋ ˈpɛləts]
and: connects two or more words or phrases [ənd]
in spite of: despite; not being affected by [ɪn spaɪt əv]
the efforts: attempts to do something [ðə ˈɛfərts]
of Napoleon: a proper noun, the name of a character [əv nəˈpoʊljən]
and: connects two or more words or phrases [ənd]
Boxer: a proper noun, the name of a character [ˈbɑksər]
to rally them: to gather and encourage the animals to fight back [tɪ ˈræli ðɛm]
they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
were soon: quickly; in a short time [wər sun]
driven back: forced to retreat [ˈdrɪvən bæk]

A number of them were already wounded.

A number of them: some of the animals [ə ˈnəmbər əv ðɛm]
were already: before this time; previously [wər ɔˈrɛdi]
wounded: injured [ˈwundɪd]

They took refuge in the farm buildings and peeped cautiously out from chinks and knot-holes.

They: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
took refuge: sought shelter or protection [tʊk ˈrɛfjuʤ]
in the farm buildings: inside the structures on the farm [ɪn ðə fɑrm ˈbɪldɪŋz]
and: connects two or more words or phrases [ənd]
peeped cautiously out: looked out carefully and tentatively [pipt ˈkɔʃəsli aʊt]
from chinks: narrow openings or cracks [frəm ʧɪŋks]
and: connects two or more words or phrases [ənd]
knot-holes: holes in wood where knots have fallen out [~~knot-holes~~]

The whole of the big pasture, including the windmill, was in the hands of the enemy.

The whole of: all of; the entirety of [ðə hoʊl əv]
the big pasture: a large area of grassland used for grazing animals [ðə bɪg ˈpæsʧər]
including: containing as part of the whole [ˌɪnˈkludɪŋ]
the windmill: a structure that uses wind power to grind grain or pump water [ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
was: past tense of 'be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
in the hands of: controlled by [ɪn ðə hænz əv]
the enemy: a hostile force or opponent [ðə ˈɛnəmi]

For the moment even Napoleon seemed at a loss.