A satire of totalitarian governments
Things are about to get a little strange on Manor Farm, so prepare yourself.
After Farmer Jones locks up and goes to bed, he has no idea what will happen next.
Old Major, a prize-winning boar, gives a powerful speech to all the farm animals.
His message: Humans are the enemy. If animals work together, they can rebel and be free!
Can they do it? Will Manor Farm become the first true Animal Farm ?
Animal Farm is an allegory--a story that can be read on two levels. One level is literal: A pig is a pig. The other level is figurative (something represents something else): A pig is a political leader.
Animal Farm was published in 1945 as a warning about the dangers of governments and political leaders who abused power to control others, specifically: TOTALITARIANISM COMMUNISM DICTATORSHIP
Described as a “beast fable” Told from point of view of common animals—easier for people to accept Uses events from Russian history, Communism, and revolutions
Actual name is Eric Blair—pseudonym is George Orwell Born June 25, 1903 in India while it was a British territory Went home to England with mother and sisters at age one
Academically gifted—went to prestigious schools on scholarship but family wasn’t wealthy Experienced prejudice of upper class, wealthy students (looked down on him due to lack of money or social status) Joined Indian Imperial Police in Burma, but hated how British treated natives as if they were inferior servants
Resigned after 5 years—hated the position of privileged oppressor Decided to experience life of poverty to understand problems of class and government power Started writing while teaching
Quit teaching and succeeded in getting books published in 1930s Main focus on oppression of lower classes Fought against tyranny by volunteering to fight in Spanish Civil War for socialist party that opposed Communism War
Shot and almost died during war—his side lost (he and wife had to flee for their lives) Moved to London in 1940, hating all forms of totalitarianism WWII began, and he joined the Home Guard to fight for England War
Worked for BBC during WWII to help war efforts against totalitarianism Became war correspondent, adopted a son, and lost his wife while writing Animal Farm War
Animal Farm was published in 1945, just at the end of WWII--Touchy time for the novel since the Allies were feeling friendly toward Russia 1984, another renowned novel, was published in 1949, introducing Big Brother (totalitarian government) Died of tuberculosis Jan. 21, War
Causes: economic hardship and injustices of Russian czars Encouraged by the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx
Karl Marx: developed theories of socialism and communism in 1800s Failure of revolutions of 1848 convinced him that the working class (proletariat) must work together and rebel
His vision: everyone would share equally in work and profits Believed that private ownership of land must be abolished Died before Russian Revolution
Russian leaders (czars) had absolute authority Czar Nicholas II was brutal and hated by Russian peasants Had unarmed workers killed as they were marching in protest in Revolution of 1905 (Bloody Sunday)
Brutalities and rebellions continued Czar Nicholas II was overthrown in Mar. 1917
New provisional government failed Vladimir Lenin: leader of Bolshevik Communists, overthrew government in Oct. Revolution of 1917 Included in his Cabinet were Stalin and Trotsky
Adopted Marx’s ideas Believed working class was exploited Slogans: “Workers of the world unite!” “Land, bread, and peace for everyone!”
Followed Marx’s theory of pure Communism Wanted to improve life for all in Russia Called for world revolutions for change
Talented organizer and brilliant speaker who helped Lenin overthrow government in 1917 Exiled by Stalin, who outmaneuvered him in 1928 Executed by Stalin’s forces while in exile
Seized power by being ruthless Became dictator in 1928: TOTALITARIANISM Rejected Marxist ideas, and glorified government over individual rights
Farmers objected to government wanting their land and produce Peasants who opposed were sent to labor camps, deported, or executed By 1938, Stalin began the “Moscow purge trials”
Nearly 8 million people were arrested and tried for treason during Great Purge Used terror and executions (remember Trotsky?) Used secret police to eliminate any enemies
Controlled church and education; used propaganda and lies Used Five Year Plan for economic growth, but government kept most of what was produced, leaving workers poor and oppressed
Formed pact with Hitler and Germany in 1939, but allied with Britain by 1944 When he died, his body was embalmed and displayed in Red Square
Soviet Union under Stalinism Dangers of Totalitarianism Lack of Education as Tool of Oppression Propaganda and Duplicity Violence and Terror as a Means of Control Exploitation of Human Rights War
Allegory Symbolism Satire Dramatic Irony Situational Irony Anti-utopian Novel War
Capitalism Communism (pure form of Socialism) Dictatorship Totalitarianism War