ANIMAL FARM Written by GEORGE ORWELL PUBLISHED IN 1945 (England)

Techniques of Satire The writer tries to make the reader have a negative opinion about someone by laughing at them or making them seem ridiculous or foolish. Those used in Animal Farm – Exaggeration: to enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen – Parody: to imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing – Ridicule: Language or behavior intended to mock and humiliate – Reversal: to present the opposite of the normal order (e.g. the order of events/hierarchical order)

Political Satire It is inspired by a personal grievance or passion for reform It is an attack on a group of people and social evil Exposes and ridicules Russian communism Arouses hatred for Russian leaders

Allegory is a form of extended metaphor, in which objects, persons, and actions in a story, are equated with the meanings that lie outside the story itself. The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed, or envy. Thus an allegory is a story with two meanings, a literal meaning and a symbolic meaning.metaphor personificationssymbolic. An example of a simple visual allegory is the image of the grim reaper. Viewers understand that the image of the grim reaper is a symbolic representation of death.grim reaper Allegory is a form of extended metaphor, in which objects, persons, and actions in a story, are equated with the meanings that lie outside the story itself. The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed, or envy. Thus an allegory is a story with two meanings, a literal meaning and a symbolic meaning.metaphor personificationssymbolic. An example of a simple visual allegory is the image of the grim reaper. Viewers understand that the image of the grim reaper is a symbolic representation of death.grim reaper

AUTHOR INFO BORN IN 1903 TO BRITISH COLONISTS IN INDIA RECEIVED EDUCATION AT ELITE PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHERE HE WENT THROUGH PAINFUL EXPERIENCES WITH SNOBBISHNESS AND SOCIAL ELITISM Died in considered his masterpiece BORN IN 1903 TO BRITISH COLONISTS IN INDIA RECEIVED EDUCATION AT ELITE PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHERE HE WENT THROUGH PAINFUL EXPERIENCES WITH SNOBBISHNESS AND SOCIAL ELITISM Died in considered his masterpiece My real name was Eric Blair

Orwell’s Inspiration

The Russian players V. Lenin Joseph Stalin

Who is Karl Marx? Many of the ideals behind the Soviet revolution were based on the writings and teachings of Karl Marx. Marx believed that societies are divided into two segments, a working class and an owner class. The working class creates all the products, while the owner class enjoys all the benefits of these products. This class division leads to inequality and oppression of the working class. Marx’s objective was to create a classless society in which the work is shared by all for the benefit of all

Joseph Stalin Once in power, Stalin began to move the Soviet Union into the modern industrial age. His government seized land in order to create collective farms. Stalin’s Five Year Plan was an attempt to modernize Soviet industry. Many peasants refused to give up their land, so to counter resistance Stalin used vicious military tactics. Rigged trials led to executions of an estimated 20 million government officials and ordinary citizens. Once in power, Stalin began to move the Soviet Union into the modern industrial age. His government seized land in order to create collective farms. Stalin’s Five Year Plan was an attempt to modernize Soviet industry. Many peasants refused to give up their land, so to counter resistance Stalin used vicious military tactics. Rigged trials led to executions of an estimated 20 million government officials and ordinary citizens. Joseph Stalin

RUSSIA THEN (USSR) AND NOW

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF AF Early 1900s – Czar Nicholas II faced an increasingly discontented population; freed from serfdom in 1861, many Russian peasants were struggling to survive Look for an alternative to the capitalist system, many Russians grabbed on to Karl Marx’s theory of communism. Followers of Marx were called Socialists. The Socialists split into two groups: Socialists – wanted a milder form of Communism Communists – extreme form of Communism; led by Lenin; referred to as Bolsheviks or Bolshevik Party Early 1900s – Czar Nicholas II faced an increasingly discontented population; freed from serfdom in 1861, many Russian peasants were struggling to survive Look for an alternative to the capitalist system, many Russians grabbed on to Karl Marx’s theory of communism. Followers of Marx were called Socialists. The Socialists split into two groups: Socialists – wanted a milder form of Communism Communists – extreme form of Communism; led by Lenin; referred to as Bolsheviks or Bolshevik Party

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF AF In two major battles, the Bolsheviks overthrew Nicholas II, and Lenin was new leader. Lenin died in 1924; Stalin, head of Communist Party, and Trotsky, hero of Revolution, battled for power. Stalin won and exiled Trotsky. Stalin was a ruler who cared for power, and he killed anyone who opposed him. Stalin and his secret police (KGB) are said to be responsible for 20 million executions. Stalin wanted to move Russia into the modern industrial age. Under his rule, the government controlled land and labor. Stalin also controlled the flow and content of information to all people. He practically outlawed churches. Ironically, what started out as Communism turned into Totalitarianism. In two major battles, the Bolsheviks overthrew Nicholas II, and Lenin was new leader. Lenin died in 1924; Stalin, head of Communist Party, and Trotsky, hero of Revolution, battled for power. Stalin won and exiled Trotsky. Stalin was a ruler who cared for power, and he killed anyone who opposed him. Stalin and his secret police (KGB) are said to be responsible for 20 million executions. Stalin wanted to move Russia into the modern industrial age. Under his rule, the government controlled land and labor. Stalin also controlled the flow and content of information to all people. He practically outlawed churches. Ironically, what started out as Communism turned into Totalitarianism.

Allegorical Parallels between historical figures/events/institutions

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” What does this mean? Do you agree?