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Year 11
AQA

The importance of the windmill in 'Animal Farm'

I can explain the importance of the windmill in ‘Animal Farm’.

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Year 11
AQA

The importance of the windmill in 'Animal Farm'

I can explain the importance of the windmill in ‘Animal Farm’.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. At first the windmill signifies the battle for power between Snowball and Napoleon.
  2. The windmill becomes a symbol of hope when it is viewed as the key to a 'three day week'.
  3. The windmill becomes a symbol of corruption as the animals work harder than ever to rebuild it.
  4. The windmill physically represents the cyclical nature of the novella.

Keywords

  • Futility - having no effect or relating to something useless or pointless

  • Utopian - describes a perfect place or society

  • Laborious - needing a lot of hard work, time and effort

  • Motif - a repeated idea that occurs or is referenced throughout a text

  • Apathy - express an attitude of not caring and having little or no interest

Common misconception

The windmill is only presented as a negative.

Explore Snowball's initial plans. How does he view the role of the windmill? Orwell is showing how industry and progress can be exploited.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: The importance of the windmill in 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Opportunity for group work in Task A. This could take the form of a carousel where each station could focus on a chapter.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need access to a copy if 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

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' how does Napoleon show his contempt towards Snowball's windmill plans?
He tears them up.
Correct answer: He urinates over them.
He hides them in the farmhouse.
He sets them on fire.
He gives them to Mr. Whymper.
Q2.
In 'Animal Farm' how does Napoleon plan to get supplies to build the windmill?
Steal from the humans.
Get the animals to make supplies themselves.
Correct answer: Begin trading with the humans.
Ask Mr. Jones for help.
Q3.
In 'Animal Farm' what reason does Napoleon give for the windmill collapsing in the wind?
Correct answer: He blames Snowball and labels him as traitor.
He admits that the windmill's walls weren't built thick enough.
He states that nature is the most powerful force.
He blames Mr. Jones.
Q4.
In 'Animal Farm' what reason do the humans give for the windmill collapsing?
They blame Snowball and label him as an ally.
They celebrate Mr. Jones for reclaiming his land.
Correct answer: They identify that the walls are too thin.
They state that nature is the most powerful force.
Q5.
What name is given to the windmill in 'Animal Farm'?
Old Major Mill
Commrades Mill
Correct answer: Napoleon Mill
Manor Mill
Animal Farm Windmill
Q6.
Which word beginning with 'm' describes 'a repeated idea that occurs or is referenced throughout a text'?
Correct Answer: Motif, a motif

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What initially motivated the animals to work diligently on building the windmill in 'Animal Farm'?
Correct answer: The opportunity for luxury and improved living conditions.
The chance to generate electricity for the farm.
The goal of increasing food production.
The motivation of a monetary profit.
Q2.
In Chapter 10 of 'Animal Farm', what purpose does the windmill serve?
Creating electricity to power neighbouring farms.
Enhancing food production for luxury living.
Generating power for the animals' stalls with electric light.
Correct answer: Milling corn to make a monetary profit.
Q3.
In 'Animal Farm' the windmill is initially a symbol of hope. What does Snowball campaign for?
Correct answer: The three day week.
The four day weekend.
Equality for all.
The full manger.
Q4.
In 'Animal Farm', Napoleon is resistant to the idea of the windmill and creates the slogan: "vote Napoleon and the__________"
Correct Answer: full manger, Full manger, full manger.
Q5.
What language technique is being used in this quote taken from 'Animal Farm': "all the animals worked like slaves"?
Personification
Correct answer: Simile
Metaphor
Alliteration
Q6.
Which word beginning with 'a' describes Benjamin's attitude in 'Animal Farm'?
Correct Answer: Apathetic, Apathy, apathetic, apathy