New
New
Year 11
AQA
The importance of food and drink motifs in 'Animal Farm'
I can explain how the motif of food and drink are used in 'Animal Farm'.
New
New
Year 11
AQA
The importance of food and drink motifs in 'Animal Farm'
I can explain how the motif of food and drink are used in 'Animal Farm'.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The pigs prioritise their personal greed over the values outlined by Old Major.
- The apple could represent the parable of Adam and Eve and the fall from grace.
- Food symbolises more than just greed, it symbolises hypocrisy.
- The food the pigs take builds from the basics to luxuries, such as whisky.
- Tracing motifs is an effective way to develop your essays.
Keywords
Gluttony - over indulgence and excessive greed
Berate - to tell someone off or criticise them
Parable - a simple story used to convey a moral message or religious principle
Hypocrisy - to behave in a way that is different or the opposite to the beliefs that are presented
Common misconception
Mollie is the only character interested in sugar as a luxury.
Napoleon orders sugar for his table and his consumption alone. What does this tell us about the hypocrisy of the pigs?
Task B could be adapted to focus on a different motif e.g the windmill.
Teacher tip
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
In 'Animal Farm' the fifth commandment, "no animal shall drink alcohol", is changed. How is it changed and why?
"without cause" was added so the pigs could use it as medicine.
"ever" was added because none of the pigs wanted to be like men.
Q2.
In 'Animal Farm', what was the name of the pig that tested Napoloen's food?
Q3.
In 'Animal Farm', what did the pigs buy after they sold Boxer to the 'knacker'?
land
beer
sugar
weapons
Q4.
Complete the quote from 'Animal Farm'. "It is for your sake that we ..."
eat sugar and drink milk.
take the apples and milk away.
drink whisky.
Q5.
In 'Animal Farm', what reason does Squealer give for the pigs drinking milk and eating apples?
The pigs have always enjoyed luxurious privileges due to their intelligence.
A temporary measure to sustain the pigs' strength during challenging times.
The pigs are entitled to special treatment as they are the natural leaders.
Q6.
In 'Animal Farm', what is Mollie worried about losing after the rebellion?
sugar and apples
bows and ribbons
apples and ribbons
sugar and milk
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What word beginning with 'g' means over indulgence and excessive greed?
Q2.
Arguably, the apples in 'Animal Farm' symbolise what?
power and control
equality and unity
wisdom and knowledge
Q3.
In 'Animal Farm' what is considered the turning point in the novella?
The pigs selling Boxer for whisky.
The animals being starved of food.
The pigs refusing to eat sugar.
Q4.
In 'Animal Farm', what "special gift" is given to every animal after the 'Battle of the Windmill'?
sugar
corn
whisky
mangels
Q5.
In 'Animal Farm', what word beginning with 'h' would describe Napoleon's eating of sugar after berating Mollie for the same thing?
Q6.
Complete this quote from 'Animal Farm'. It comes from Old Major's speech: "Man is the only creature who ...
labours without rest."
craves freedom."
understands the true nature of equality."
Additional material
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