Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 53

But when the animals saw the green flag flying, and heard the gun firing again-seven times it was fired in all – and heard the speech that Napoleon made, congratulating them on their, conduct, it did seem to them after all that they had won a great victory.

• But: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• when: conjunction used to indicate the time at which something happens or is the case [wɪn]
• the animals: referring to the group of animals in the story [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• saw: past tense of 'see', meaning to perceive with the eyes [sɔ]
• the green flag: a flag that is green in color, likely symbolizing something within the context of the story [ðə grin flæg]
• flying: being in the air; waving in the wind [flaɪɪŋ]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• heard: past tense of 'hear', meaning to perceive with the ear [hərd]
• the gun: a firearm [ðə gən]
• firing: the act of discharging a gun [ˈfaɪərrɪŋ]
• again: once more; another time [əˈgɛn]
• seven times: indicating the number of times the gun was fired [ˈsɛvən taɪmz]
• it was fired: passive voice, indicating the gun was discharged [ɪt wɑz faɪərd]
• in all: altogether; in total [ɪn ɔl]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• heard: past tense of 'hear', meaning to perceive with the ear [hərd]
• the speech: a formal talk given to an audience [ðə spiʧ]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• Napoleon: referring to the character Napoleon, likely an animal in the story [nəˈpoʊljən]
• made: past tense of 'make', meaning to create or deliver [meɪd]
• congratulating: expressing praise or good wishes to someone for their success [kənˈgræʧəˌleɪtɪŋ]
• them: referring to the animals [ðɛm]
• on: preposition indicating a topic or subject [ɔn]
• their: possessive pronoun, belonging to them [ðɛr]
• conduct: behavior; the way someone acts [ˈkɑndəkt]
• it: pronoun referring to the situation or events [ɪt]
• did seem: emphasizing that it appeared to them [dɪd sim]
• to them: referring to the animals [tɪ ðɛm]
• after all: in spite of everything; considering everything [ˈæftər ɔl]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• had won: past perfect tense of 'win', meaning to achieve victory [hæd wən]
• a great victory: a significant triumph [ə greɪt ˈvɪktəri]

The animals slain in the battle were given a solemn funeral.

• The animals: referring to the group of animals in the story [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• slain: killed violently [sleɪn]
• in the battle: referring to a specific battle [ɪn ðə ˈbætəl]
• were given: passive voice, indicating they received [wər ˈgɪvɪn]
• a solemn funeral: a serious and dignified ceremony for the dead [ə ˈsɑləm fˈjunərəl]

Boxer and Clover pulled the wagon which served as a hearse, and Napoleon himself walked at the head of the procession.

• Boxer and Clover: names of characters, likely animals in the story [ˈbɑksər ənd ˈkloʊvər]
• pulled: past tense of 'pull', meaning to exert force to move something [pʊld]
• the wagon: a vehicle used for transporting goods or people [ðə ˈwægən]
• which: relative pronoun introducing a clause [wɪʧ]
• served as: functioned as; acted as [sərvd ɛz]
• a hearse: a vehicle for carrying a coffin to a funeral [ə hərs]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• Napoleon himself: emphasizing that Napoleon personally participated [nəˈpoʊljən hɪmˈsɛlf]
• walked: past tense of 'walk', meaning to move on foot [wɔkt]
• at the head: at the front [æt ðə hɛd]
• of the procession: a group moving forward in an orderly manner [əv ðə prəˈsɛʃən]

Two whole days were given over to celebrations.

• Two whole days: a period of two entire days [tu hoʊl deɪz]
• were given over: were dedicated to [wər ˈgɪvɪn ˈoʊvər]
• to celebrations: festivities; joyous occasions [tɪ ˌsɛləˈbreɪʃənz]

There were songs, speeches and more firing of the gun, and a special gift of an apple was bestowed on every animal, with two ounces of corn for each bird and three biscuits for each dog.

• There were: indicating the existence of [ðɛr wər]
• songs: musical compositions with lyrics [sɔŋz]
• speeches: formal talks given to an audience [ˈspiʧɪz]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• more firing: additional instances of shooting a gun [mɔr ˈfaɪərrɪŋ]
• of the gun: referring to the firearm [əv ðə gən]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• a special gift: a particular present [ə ˈspɛʃəl gɪft]
• of an apple: a type of fruit [əv ən ˈæpəl]
• was bestowed: was given or conferred [wɑz bɪˈstoʊd]
• on every animal: to each animal [ɔn ˈɛvəri ˈænəməl]
• with: preposition indicating accompaniment or inclusion [wɪθ]
• two ounces: a unit of weight [tu ˈaʊnsɪz]
• of corn: a type of grain [əv kɔrn]
• for each bird: for every bird [fər iʧ bərd]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• three biscuits: small baked goods [θri ˈbɪskəts]
• for each dog: for every dog [fər iʧ dɔg]

It was announced that the battle would be called the Battle of the Windmill, and that Napoleon had created a new decoration, the Order of the Green Banner, which he had conferred upon himself In the general rejoicings the unfortunate affair of the bank-notes was forgotten.

• It was announced: it was officially declared [ɪt wɑz əˈnaʊnst]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• the battle: referring to a specific battle [ðə ˈbætəl]
• would be called: would be named [wʊd bi kɔld]
• the Battle of the Windmill: the name given to the battle [ðə ˈbætəl əv ðə ˈwɪndˌmɪl]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• Napoleon: referring to the character Napoleon [nəˈpoʊljən]
• had created: past perfect tense of 'create', meaning to bring into existence [hæd kriˈeɪtɪd]
• a new decoration: an award or medal [ə nu ˌdɛkərˈeɪʃən]
• the Order of the Green Banner: the name of the new decoration [ðə ˈɔrdər əv ðə grin ˈbænər]
• which: relative pronoun introducing a clause [wɪʧ]
• he: referring to Napoleon [hi]
• had conferred: had bestowed or granted [hæd kənˈfərd]
• upon himself: on himself; to himself [əˈpɑn hɪmˈsɛlf]
• In the general rejoicings: during the widespread celebrations [ɪn ðə ˈʤɛnərəl rejoicings]
• the unfortunate affair: an unpleasant incident [ðə ənˈfɔrʧənət əˈfɛr]
• of the bank-notes: referring to paper money [əv ðə bank-notes]
• was forgotten: was no longer remembered [wɑz fərˈgɑtən]

It was a few days later than this that the pigs came upon a case of whisky in the cellars of the farmhouse.

• It: refers to a specific time or situation [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of being in the past [wɑz]
• a few days later: some days after a specific point in time [ə fju deɪz ˈleɪtər]
• than this: compared to a previously mentioned time or event [ðən ðɪs]
• that: introduces a clause specifying what happened after the mentioned time [ðət]
• the pigs: plural of 'pig', referring to the animals in the story [ðə pɪgz]
• came upon: found unexpectedly; discovered [keɪm əˈpɑn]
• a case of whisky: a container filled with bottles of whisky, an alcoholic beverage [ə keɪs əv ˈwɪski]
• in the cellars: located in the underground storage rooms [ɪn ðə ˈsɛlərz]
• of the farmhouse: belonging to the main house on a farm [əv ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]

It had been overlooked at the time when the house was first occupied.

• It: refers to the case of whisky [ɪt]
• had been overlooked: had not been noticed or found [hæd bɪn ˈoʊvərˌlʊkt]
• at the time: during the period [æt ðə taɪm]
• when: introduces a clause specifying the time [wɪn]
• the house: refers to the farmhouse [ðə haʊs]
• was first occupied: was initially inhabited or taken over [wɑz fərst ˈɑkjəˌpaɪd]

That night there came from the farmhouse the sound of loud singing, in which, to everyone's surprise, the strains of ‘Beasts of England’ were mixed up.

• That night: the night following the mentioned day [ðət naɪt]
• there came: there originated or emanated [ðɛr keɪm]
• from the farmhouse: originating from the main house on the farm [frəm ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]
• the sound: a noise [ðə saʊnd]
• of loud singing: singing at a high volume [əv laʊd ˈsɪŋɪŋ]
• in which: during the singing [ɪn wɪʧ]
• to everyone's surprise: unexpectedly for all the animals [tɪ ˈɛvriˌwənz səˈpraɪz]
• the strains: melodies or parts of a song [ðə streɪnz]
• were mixed up: were combined or blended [wər mɪkst əp]

At about half-past nine Napoleon, wearing an old bowler hat of Mr Jones's, was distinctly seen to emerge from the back door, gallop rapidly round the yard and disappear indoors again.

• At about half-past nine: approximately 9:30 [æt əˈbaʊt half-past naɪn]
• Napoleon: a character name [nəˈpoʊljən]
• wearing: having on; clothed in [ˈwɛrɪŋ]
• an old bowler hat: a type of hat that is old [ən oʊld ˈboʊlər hæt]
• of Mr Jones's: belonging to Mr. Jones, a former owner [əv ˈmɪstər ˈʤoʊnzɪz]
• was distinctly seen: was clearly observed [wɑz dɪˈstɪŋktli sin]
• to emerge: to come out [tɪ ˈimərʤ]
• from the back door: from the rear entrance [frəm ðə bæk dɔr]
• gallop rapidly: run quickly at a gallop [ˈgæləp ˈræpədli]
• round the yard: around the enclosed area [raʊnd ðə jɑrd]
• and disappear: and vanish [ənd ˌdɪsəˈpɪr]
• indoors: inside the building [ˈɪnˌdɔrz]
• again: once more [əˈgɛn]

But in the morning a deep silence hung over the farmhouse.

• But: however; introduces a contrast [bət]
• in the morning: the time of day after sunrise [ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
• a deep silence: a profound quietness [ə dip ˈsaɪləns]
• hung over: prevailed or dominated [həŋ ˈoʊvər]
• the farmhouse: the main house on the farm [ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]

Not a pig appeared to be stirring.

• Not a pig: not even one pig [nɑt ə pɪg]
• appeared: seemed [əˈpɪrd]
• to be stirring: to be moving or active [tɪ bi stərɪŋ]

It was nearly nine o'clock when Squealer made his appearance, walking slowly and dejectedly, his eyes dull, his tail hanging limply behind him, and with every appearance of being seriously ill.

• It: refers to the time [ɪt]
• was nearly nine o'clock: it was almost 9:00 AM [wɑz ˈnɪrli naɪn əˈklɑk]
• when: at which time [wɪn]
• Squealer: a character name [squealer]
• made his appearance: showed up; arrived [meɪd hɪz əˈpɪrəns]
• walking slowly: moving at a slow pace [ˈwɔkɪŋ sˈloʊli]
• and dejectedly: and in a depressed manner [ənd dejectedly]
• his eyes dull: his eyes lacking brightness [hɪz aɪz dəl]
• his tail hanging limply: his tail drooping without energy [hɪz teɪl ˈhæŋɪŋ limply]
• behind him: at his rear [bɪˈhaɪnd ɪm]
• and with every appearance: and seemingly [ənd wɪθ ˈɛvəri əˈpɪrəns]
• of being seriously ill: of being very sick [əv biɪŋ ˈsɪriəsli ɪl]

He called the animals together and told them that he had a terrible piece of news to impart.

• He: refers to Squealer [hi]
• called the animals together: gathered the animals [kɔld ðə ˈænəməlz təˈgɛðər]
• and told them: and informed them [ənd toʊld ðɛm]
• that: introduces a clause stating what he told them [ðət]
• he had: he possessed [hi hæd]
• a terrible piece of news: very bad information [ə ˈtɛrəbəl pis əv nuz]
• to impart: to share or communicate [tɪ ˌɪmˈpɑrt]

Comrade Napoleon was dying!

• Comrade Napoleon: referring to Napoleon using the term 'comrade' [ˈkɑmˌræd nəˈpoʊljən]
• was dying: was in the process of dying [wɑz daɪɪŋ]

A cry of lamentation went up.

• A cry of lamentation: An expression of sorrow or mourning [ə kraɪ əv lamentation]
• went up: rose; ascended; was expressed loudly [wɛnt əp]

Straw was laid down outside the doors of the farmhouse, and the animals walked on tiptoe.

• Straw: dried stalks of grain [strɔ]
• was laid down: was placed on the ground [wɑz leɪd daʊn]
• outside: on the exterior of [ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]
• the doors of the farmhouse: the entrances to the main house on the farm [ðə dɔrz əv ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• the animals: the creatures on the farm [ðə ˈænəməlz]
• walked on tiptoe: walked very quietly and carefully, raising their heels off the ground [wɔkt ɔn ˈtɪpˌtoʊ]

With tears in their eyes they asked one another what they should do if their Leader were taken away from them.

• With tears in their eyes: sadly; showing grief [wɪθ tɪrz ɪn ðɛr aɪz]
• they: referring to the animals [ðeɪ]
• asked one another: inquired of each other [æst wən əˈnəðər]
• what they should do: what course of action they ought to take [wət ðeɪ ʃʊd du]
• if: conditional conjunction [ɪf]
• their Leader: referring to Napoleon [ðɛr ˈlidər]
• were taken away from them: was removed from their presence; died [wər ˈteɪkən əˈweɪ frəm ðɛm]

A rumour went round that Snowball had after all contrived to introduce poison into Napoleon's food.

• A rumour: a piece of information or a story passed from person to person without firm evidence [ə ˈrumər]
• went round: circulated; spread [wɛnt raʊnd]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• Snowball: a character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• had after all: despite previous doubts or denials [hæd ˈæftər ɔl]
• contrived: managed to do something with difficulty [kənˈtraɪvd]
• to introduce poison: to put poison [tɪ ˌɪntrəˈdus ˈpɔɪzən]
• into Napoleon's food: in the food of Napoleon [ˈɪntu nəˈpoʊliənz fud]

At eleven o'clock Squealer came out to make another announcement.

• At eleven o'clock: at 11:00 AM or PM [æt ˈilɛvən əˈklɑk]
• Squealer: a character's name [squealer]
• came out: emerged; appeared [keɪm aʊt]
• to make another announcement: to give another statement or declaration [tɪ meɪk əˈnəðər əˈnaʊnsmɛnt]

As his last act upon earth.

• As his last act upon earth: as the final thing he did before dying [ɛz hɪz læst ækt əˈpɑn ərθ]

Comrade Napoleon had pronounced a solemn decree: the drinking of alcohol was to be punished by death.

• Comrade Napoleon: referring to Napoleon using the term 'Comrade' which implies a sense of equality and fellowship, often used in socialist or communist contexts [ˈkɑmˌræd nəˈpoʊljən]
• had pronounced: had declared; had announced formally [hæd prəˈnaʊnst]
• a solemn decree: a serious and formal order or decision [ə ˈsɑləm dɪˈkri]
• the drinking of alcohol: the consumption of alcoholic beverages [ðə ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ əv ˈælkəˌhɑl]
• was to be punished: would be penalized [wɑz tɪ bi ˈpənɪʃt]
• by death: with the penalty of being killed [baɪ dɛθ]