Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 7

II

• II: Roman numeral two [ii]

Three nights later old Major died peacefully in his sleep. His body was buried at the foot of the orchard.

• Three nights later: A period of three nights following a specific event [θri naɪts ˈleɪtər]
• old Major: Referring to a character named Major who is old [oʊld ˈmeɪʤər]
• died: Past tense of 'die', meaning to stop living [daɪd]
• peacefully: In a calm and tranquil manner [ˈpisfəli]
• in his sleep: While he was sleeping [ɪn hɪz slip]
• was buried: Past tense of 'bury', meaning to place a body in the ground [wɑz ˈbɛrid]
• at the foot: The base or bottom part [æt ðə fʊt]
• of the orchard: A piece of land planted with fruit trees [əv ðə ˈɔrʧərd]

This was early in March.

• This: Refers to a specific event or time being discussed [ðɪs]
• was: Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [wɑz]
• early: Near the beginning of a period of time [ˈərli]
• in: Expressing location or position within a period of time [ɪn]
• March: The third month of the year [mɑrʧ]

During the next three months there was much secret activity.

• During: Throughout the course of a period of time [ˈdʊrɪŋ]
• the next: The following or subsequent [ðə nɛkst]
• three months: A period of three months [θri mənθs]
• there: Used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]
• was: Past tense of 'to be', indicating existence in the past [wɑz]
• much: A large amount or quantity of something [məʧ]
• secret: Kept hidden or concealed from others [ˈsikrɪt]
• activity: The state or quality of being active [ækˈtɪvɪti]

Major’s speech had given to the more intelligent animals on the farm a completely new outlook on life.

• Major’s: Possessive form of 'Major', indicating something belonging to or associated with Major [ˈmeɪʤərz]
• speech: A formal address or discourse delivered to an audience [spiʧ]
• had given: Past perfect tense of 'give', indicating that something was given before a specific time in the past [hæd ˈgɪvɪn]
• to: Expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the more intelligent animals: Animals with a higher level of understanding and reasoning ability [ðə mɔr ˌɪnˈtɛləʤənt ˈænəməlz]
• on the farm: Located or living on the farm [ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• a completely new outlook: A totally fresh perspective or way of viewing things [ə kəmˈplitli nu ˈaʊˌtlʊk]
• on life: Regarding existence and experiences [ɔn laɪf]

They did not know when the Rebellion predicted by Major would take place, they had no reason for thinking that it would be within their own lifetime, but they saw clearly that it was their duty to prepare for it.

• They: Refers to the animals [ðeɪ]
• did not know: Past tense negative form of 'know', indicating a lack of knowledge [dɪd nɑt noʊ]
• when: At what time or in what circumstances [wɪn]
• the Rebellion: An act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler [ðə rɪˈbɛljən]
• predicted: Stated or estimated that a specified thing will happen in the future [prɪˈdɪktɪd]
• by Major: Foretold or prophesied by Major [baɪ ˈmeɪʤər]
• would take place: Would happen or occur [wʊd teɪk pleɪs]
• they: Refers to the animals [ðeɪ]
• had no reason: Did not have any justification or cause [hæd noʊ ˈrizən]
• for thinking: To have the belief or opinion [fər ˈθɪŋkɪŋ]
• that: Introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• it: Refers to the Rebellion [ɪt]
• would be: Would exist or occur [wʊd bi]
• within: Inside or not beyond the limits of a specific time period [wɪˈθɪn]
• their own lifetime: The duration of their own lives [ðɛr oʊn ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm]
• but: Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [bət]
• they: Refers to the animals [ðeɪ]
• saw clearly: Understood or perceived something without any doubt [sɔ ˈklɪrli]
• that: Introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• it: Refers to preparing for the Rebellion [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• their duty: A moral or legal obligation [ðɛr ˈduti]
• to prepare: To make ready for something [tɪ priˈpɛr]
• for it: For the Rebellion [fər ɪt]

The work of teaching and organising the others fell naturally upon the pigs, who were generally recognised as being the cleverest of the animals.

• The work: The effort or activity done to achieve a purpose [ðə wərk]
• of teaching: The act of imparting knowledge or skills [əv ˈtiʧɪŋ]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• organising: Arranging or structuring something in a systematic way [organising]
• the others: The remaining animals [ðə ˈəðərz]
• fell naturally: Happened spontaneously or without effort [fɛl ˈnæʧərəli]
• upon: On or onto [əˈpɑn]
• the pigs: A domestic animal with a stout body and a flat snout [ðə pɪgz]
• who: Referring to the pigs [hu]
• were generally recognised: Were widely acknowledged or accepted [wər ˈʤɛnərəli ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzd]
• as being: To be in the state or condition of [ɛz biɪŋ]
• the cleverest: Having or showing intelligence [ðə cleverest]
• of the animals: Among all the animals [əv ðə ˈænəməlz]

Pre-eminent among the pigs were two young boars named Snowball and Napoleon, whom Mr. Jones was breeding up for sale.

• Pre-eminent: Surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way [pre-eminent]
• among: Situated more centrally than other things around it [əˈməŋ]
• the pigs: A domestic animal with a stout body and a flat snout [ðə pɪgz]
• were: Past tense of 'to be', indicating existence in the past [wər]
• two young boars: Two male pigs, typically uncastrated [tu jəŋ boars]
• named: Having a specified name [neɪmd]
• Snowball: Name of one of the boars [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• Napoleon: Name of one of the boars [nəˈpoʊljən]
• whom: Referring to Snowball and Napoleon [hum]
• Mr. Jones: The owner of the farm [ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz]
• was breeding up: Raising or nurturing for a specific purpose [wɑz ˈbridɪŋ əp]
• for sale: Intended to be sold [fər seɪl]

Napoleon was a large, rather fierce-looking Berkshire boar, the only Berkshire on the farm, not much of a talker, but with a reputation for getting his own way.

• Napoleon: Name of one of the boars [nəˈpoʊljən]
• was: Past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• a large: Of considerable or relatively great size [ə lɑrʤ]
• rather: To a certain extent; somewhat [ˈrəðər]
• fierce-looking: Having a savage or aggressive appearance [fierce-looking]
• Berkshire boar: A male pig of the Berkshire breed [ˈbərkˌʃaɪr bɔr]
• the only Berkshire: The sole pig of the Berkshire breed [ðə ˈoʊnli ˈbərkˌʃaɪr]
• on the farm: Located or living on the farm [ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• not much of a talker: Not very communicative or prone to speaking [nɑt məʧ əv ə ˈtɔkər]
• but: Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [bət]
• with a reputation: Known or believed by many people in a particular way [wɪθ ə ˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃən]
• for getting his own way: For achieving what he wants, often by being forceful or stubborn [fər ˈgɪtɪŋ hɪz oʊn weɪ]

Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon, quicker in speech and more inventive, but was not considered to have the same depth of character.

• Snowball: Name of one of the boars [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• was: Past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• a more vivacious pig: A pig that is lively and animated [ə mɔr vəˈveɪʃəs pɪg]
• than: Used to make a comparison [ðən]
• Napoleon: Name of one of the boars [nəˈpoʊljən]
• quicker: Moving or able to move at high speed [kˈwɪkər]
• in speech: Relating to the ability to speak [ɪn spiʧ]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• more inventive: Having or showing creativity or original thought [mɔr ˌɪnˈvɛntɪv]
• but: Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [bət]
• was not considered: Was not thought of or regarded [wɑz nɑt kənˈsɪdərd]
• to have: To possess or experience [tɪ hæv]
• the same depth of character: The same level of moral or intellectual strength [ðə seɪm dɛpθ əv ˈkɛrɪktər]

All the other male pigs on the farm were porkers.

• All: Used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of [ɔl]
• the other: Remaining or additional [ðə ˈəðər]
• male pigs: Pigs that are male [meɪl pɪgz]
• on the farm: Located or living on the farm [ɔn ðə fɑrm]
• were: Past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wər]
• porkers: Pigs raised for pork [ˈpɔrkərz]

The best known among them was a small fat pig named Squealer, with very round cheeks, twinkling eyes, nimble movements, and a shrill voice.

• The best known: Most widely recognised or famous [ðə bɛst noʊn]
• among: Situated more centrally than other things around it [əˈməŋ]
• them: Referring to the pigs [ðɛm]
• was: Past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• a small fat pig: A pig that is small and overweight [ə smɔl fæt pɪg]
• named: Having a specified name [neɪmd]
• Squealer: Name of one of the pigs [squealer]
• with: Accompanied by or possessing [wɪθ]
• very round cheeks: Cheeks that are circular in shape [ˈvɛri raʊnd ʧiks]
• twinkling eyes: Eyes that sparkle or shine brightly [tˈwɪŋkəlɪŋ aɪz]
• nimble movements: Movements that are quick and light [ˈnɪmbəl ˈmuvmənts]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• a shrill voice: A high-pitched and piercing voice [ə ʃrɪl vɔɪs]

He was a brilliant talker, and when he was arguing some difficult point he had a way of skipping from side to side and whisking his tail which was somehow very persuasive.

• He: Referring to Squealer [hi]
• was: Past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• a brilliant talker: An exceptionally skilled speaker [ə ˈbrɪljənt ˈtɔkər]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• when: At or during the time that [wɪn]
• he: Referring to Squealer [hi]
• was arguing: Present continuous tense of 'argue', indicating the act of presenting reasons for or against something [wɑz ˈɑrgjuɪŋ]
• some difficult point: A challenging or complex issue [səm ˈdɪfəkəlt pɔɪnt]
• he: Referring to Squealer [hi]
• had a way: Possessed a habit or manner [hæd ə weɪ]
• of skipping: Moving with light, bounding steps [əv ˈskɪpɪŋ]
• from side to side: Moving back and forth [frəm saɪd tɪ saɪd]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• whisking his tail: Moving his tail rapidly back and forth [whisking hɪz teɪl]
• which: Referring to the action of skipping and whisking his tail [wɪʧ]
• was: Past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]
• somehow: In some way; by some means [ˈsəmˌhaʊ]
• very persuasive: Good at persuading someone to do or believe something through reasoning or the use of temptation [ˈvɛri pərsˈweɪsɪv]

The others said of Squealer that he could turn black into white.

• The others: The remaining animals [ðə ˈəðərz]
• said: Past tense of 'say', expressing something that was spoken [sɛd]
• of Squealer: Regarding Squealer [əv squealer]
• that: Introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he: Referring to Squealer [hi]
• could turn black into white: Could make something bad appear good, or vice versa, through clever manipulation of language [kʊd tərn blæk ˈɪntu waɪt]

These three had elaborated old Major’s teachings into a complete system of thought, to which they gave the name of Animalism.

• These three: Refers to a specific group of three individuals previously mentioned or understood in the context [ðiz θri]
• had elaborated: developed or expanded upon something in detail [hæd ɪˈlæbəreɪtəd]
• old Major’s teachings: the doctrines or principles taught by a character named Old Major [oʊld ˈmeɪʤərz ˈtiʧɪŋz]
• into a complete system of thought: transforming the teachings into a comprehensive and structured ideology [ˈɪntu ə kəmˈplit ˈsɪstəm əv θɔt]
• to which they gave the name of Animalism: they named this system of thought Animalism [tɪ wɪʧ ðeɪ geɪv ðə neɪm əv animalism]

Several nights a week, after Mr. Jones was asleep, they held secret meetings in the barn and expounded the principles of Animalism to the others.

• Several nights a week: multiple evenings each week [ˈsɛvərəl naɪts ə wik]
• after Mr. Jones was asleep: after the farmer, Mr. Jones, had fallen asleep [ˈæftər ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz wɑz əsˈlip]
• they held secret meetings: they conducted clandestine gatherings [ðeɪ hɛld ˈsikrɪt ˈmitɪŋz]
• in the barn: the location of the secret meetings was the barn [ɪn ðə bɑrn]
• and expounded the principles of Animalism: explained and advocated the core ideas of Animalism [ənd ɪkˈspaʊndəd ðə ˈprɪnsəpəlz əv animalism]
• to the others: to the rest of the animals [tɪ ðə ˈəðərz]

At the beginning they met with much stupidity and apathy.

• At the beginning: initially; in the early stages [æt ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ]
• they met with much stupidity and apathy: they encountered significant ignorance and lack of interest [ðeɪ mɛt wɪθ məʧ stuˈpɪdɪˌti ənd ˈæpəθi]

Some of the animals talked of the duty of loyalty to Mr. Jones, whom they referred to as ‘Master,’ or made elementary remarks such as ‘Mr. Jones feeds us. If he were gone, we should starve to death.’ Others asked such questions as ‘Why should we care what happens after we are dead?’ or ‘If this Rebellion is to happen anyway, what difference does it make whether we work for it or not?’, and the pigs had great difficulty in making them see that this was contrary to the spirit of Animalism.

• Some of the animals talked of the duty of loyalty: certain animals expressed the obligation to remain faithful [səm əv ðə ˈænəməlz tɔkt əv ðə ˈduti əv ˈlɔɪəlti]
• to Mr. Jones: towards the farmer, Mr. Jones [tɪ ˈmɪstər ʤoʊnz]
• or made elementary remarks: or made simple, basic comments [ər meɪd ˌɛləˈmɛnʧri rɪˈmɑrks]
• If he were gone, we should starve to death: If he disappeared, we would die of hunger' [ɪf hi wər gɔn wi ʃʊd stɑrv tɪ death’*’]
• Others asked such questions: other animals posed questions [ˈəðərz æst səʧ kˈwɛsʧənz]
• what difference does it make: what impact does it have [wət ˈdɪfərəns dɪz ɪt meɪk]
• whether we work for it or not: if we contribute to it or not?' [ˈwɛðər wi wərk fər ɪt ər not’*’]
• and the pigs had great difficulty: the pigs found it very challenging [ənd ðə pɪgz hæd greɪt ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti]
• in making them see: to convince the other animals [ɪn ˈmeɪkɪŋ ðɛm si]
• that this was contrary to the spirit of Animalism: that these ideas opposed the principles of Animalism [ðət ðɪs wɑz ˈkɑntrɛri tɪ ðə ˈspɪrɪt əv animalism]

The stupidest questions of all were asked by Mollie, the white mare.

• The stupidest questions of all: the most foolish questions [ðə ˈstupɪdəst kˈwɛsʧənz əv ɔl]
• were asked by Mollie, the white mare: were posed by Mollie, a white female horse [wər æst baɪ ˈmɑli ðə waɪt mɛr]