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Animal Farm Chapter 4 Summary

The news of Animal Farm Rebellion has spread to the surrounding country. Snowball and Napoleon are sending pigeons to the neighbouring farms and beyond, to tell the animals about the rebellion, and to teach them the tune of “Beasts of England”. Mr. Jones had spent a lot of time at the Red Lion complaining to everyone about the “Monstrous injustice he had suffered from a pack of good-for-nothing animals.” The owners of the two adjoining farms, Foxwood and Mr. Pilkington, started spreading rumours about the Animal Farms that, animals there practised cannibalism and tortured one another with red horseshoes.

These stories were never fully believed and caused a wave of rebelliousness throughout the countryside. The tune and words of “Beasts of England” were heard everywhere and started spreading at a remarkable speed. Early one day in October, a flight of pigeons came and gave news that Jones, all his men, and half a dozen men from the neighbouring farms, had entered the five barred gate and were carrying sticks and Jones was carrying gun in his hand. They had come to recapture the farm. The animals, however were well prepared. Snowball had studied an old book of Julius Caesar and had a strategy in his mind.

Even though Jones was armed with a gun, the humans were no match for the forces of the Animal Farm. Jones was able to kill one of the sheep but the humans were brutally beaten up and fled. Boxer had nearly killed a man but it was later found out that he was merely stunned and left the place in their absence. After the war, Mollie was found missing and everyone feared that the men might have harmed her in some way. But in the end, they found her hiding in the stall with her head buried among the hay in the manger. She fled the battle as soon as the gun
went off.

The animals assembled with the wildest excitement to celebrate their victory. The flag is raised, “Beasts of England” is sung.. A medal for “Animal Hero First class” is created and awarded to Snowball. And a medal for “Animal Hero, Second Class” is created, and awarded to a sheep that died when Jones fired his gun. The dead sheep was given a solemn funeral. After much discussion the battle was named as the “Battle of the Cowshed”, and it was decided that Jones’ gun should be placed at the bottom of the flagstaff, to be fired twice a year, one on the anniversary of the Battle of Cowshed and other on the anniversary of the Rebellion.

Animal Farm Chapter 4 Summary Word Meanings:

  • Cannibalism – The practice of eating the flesh of one’s own species
  • Flogging – Beating someone with a whip or stick as a punishment
  • Elm – A tall deciduous tree which typically has rough leaves and propagates from root suckers
  • Ignominious – Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame
  • Gored – Pierce or stab with a horn or tusk
  • Hawthorn – A thorny shrub or tree of the rose family, with white or red blossom and small red fruits
  • Impromptu – Done without being planned or rehearsed
  • Posthumously – After the death of the originator

Animal Farm Chapter 4 Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
Most of this time Mr. Jones had spent sitting in the taproom of the Red Lion at Willingdon, complaining to anyone who would listen of the monstrous injustice he had suffered at being turned out of his property by a pack of good-for- nothing animals.
(i) What is the ‘monstrous injustice’ that Jones is talking about?
(ii) How had the ‘monstrous injustice’ occurred?
(iii) How did the other farmers react to the injustice done to Jones ?
(iv) What were Snowball and Napoleon doing to spread the injustice ?
(v) After this extract, two of the owners of the adjoining farms have been mentioned. Describe both of them in your own words.
Answer:
(i) Jones was the owner of the Manor Farm. However, he did not care much for his animals and one day, the animals rebelled against him. He was thrown out of his own farm and then Animal Farm was established. This was the ‘monstrous injustice’ that Jones was talking about.

(ii) Jones used to be a good farmer once, but lately, he had fallen for ill ways. He did not care for his farm or the animals. The animals were starving. One day, he got too drunk and slept without feeding them. The animals were unable to bear the hunger and in unison, broke away from their sheds and chased away Jones from the farm.

(iii) The other farmers sympathised in principle, but they did not at first give him much help. At heart, each of them was secretly wondering whether he could not somehow turn Jones’ misfortune to his own advantage.

(iv) Every day Snowball and Napoleon sent out flights of pigeons whose instructions were to mingle with the animals on neighbouring farms, tell them the story of the Rebellion, and teach them the tune of “Beasts of England.”

(v) The owner of Foxwood was Mr. Pilkington, an easy-going gentleman farmer who spent most of his time in fishing or hunting according to the season. The other farm was called ‘Pinchfield’. Its owner was Mr. Frederick, a tough, shrewd man, perpetually involved in lawsuits and with a name for driving hard bargains.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
“This had long been expected, and all preparations had been made. Snowball who had studied an old book of Julius Caesar’s campaigns which he had found in the farm – house was in charge of the defensive operations.”
(i) What had they been long expecting?
(ii) What were the preparations made for “this?
(iii) Who was responsible for the defence options ?
(iv) Did they finally succeed in “this”?
(v) What were the important changes which took place after “this” had been accomplished?
Answer:
(i) Jones attempt of recapturing the Manor Farm was long expected by the animals on Animal Farm.

(ii) Meanwhile, Snowball had studied an old book of Julius Caesar’s campaigns and made a strategy against Jones recapturing the farm.

(iii) Snowball was in charge for the defensive operations.

(iv) Yes, all the animals finally succeeded in driving Jones and all his men out of the Animal Farm.

(v) After “this’ had been accomplished, the Manor Farm totally changed into Animal Farm. Their dream came true and they proved themselves more powerful than men. They managed the farm all by themselves and become powerful monsters themselves.

Question 3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
This had long been expected, and all preparations had been made. Snowball, who had studied an old book of Julius Caesars campaigns which he had found in the farmhouse, was in charge of the defensive operations. He gave his order quickly, and in a couple of minutes every animal was at his post.
(i) What had long been expected ?
(ii) Who was Snowball ?
(iii) What was the outcome of ‘this’ ?
(iv) Which farm is being mentioned here ? To whom did it belong ?
(v) Just after this extract, what was the first thing that Snowball does ?
Answer:
(i) It had long been expected that Jones would attack the farm in the near future. Hence, Snowball was well prepared for it in advance.

(ii) Snowball was one of the cleverest pigs, who won the loyalty of the other animals by his decision for the betterment of the farm. He failed to see the sinister thoughts of Napoleon who easily chased him away from the first.

(iii) The outcome of the attack by Jones and his men was that, they were all beaten up and chased away from the farm. Although, the animals had won the battle, they had lost one of the sheeps.

(iv) The farm that is being mentioned here is the Animal Farm. Initially, it was named as the Manor Farm and had belonged to Jones. However, after he was overthrown, the farm was renamed to Animal Farm and was now owned by the animals.

(v) As the human beings approached the farm building, Snowball launched his first attack. All the pigeons, to the number of thirty-five, flew to and fro over the men’s head and muted upon them from mid-air ; and while the men were dealing with this, the geese, who had been hiding behind the hedge, rushed out and pecked viciously at the calves of their legs.