Animal Farm vs. Russian Revolution English I Honors

First, some important terms… Totalitarianism: A kind of dictatorship where one political party has total control and all opposition is ruthlessly suppressed. Fable: A humorous story in which animals speak and act like humans in order to expose some human weakness. Satire: A form of literature that uses ridicule to make fun of people or events in order to bring about change.

Allegory: a story that can be read on two levels 1. Animal Farm can be read as a funny fable about animals who rebel against their owner and take over a farm in England, only to allow corruption to ruin it. 2. Animal Farm can be read as an allegory that satirizes the events of the Russian Revolution of 1917 with animals representing characters from Russian history.

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Farmer Jones Irresponsible with his animals Sometimes cruel: beats them; letting them starve Sometimes kind; mixing milk in the animals’ food Czar Nicholas II Poor leader in comparison to other monarchs Cruel: sometimes brutal with political opponents Sometimes kind: hired starving students to work as spies

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Old Major Taught Animalism Workers do the work, rich keep the money, animals revolt Dies before the revolution takes place Karl Marx Invented Communism “Workers of the World Unite”- take over the economy (factories and farms) and thus the government Dies before the Russian Revolution

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Animalism No social classes – no rich, but no poor Workers get a better life; all animals are equal Animals own the farm Communism No social classes – no rich, but no poor All people are equal Government owns everything and the people own the government

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Snowball Young, smart, good speaker, idealistic Really wants to make life better for all One of the leaders of the revolution Chased away into exile by Napoleon’s dogs Leon Trotsky One of the leaders of the revolution Pure Communist, followed Marx Wanted to improve life for all in Russia Chased away by Lenin’s KGB (secret police)

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Napoleon Not a good speaker, not as smart as Snowball Cruel, brutal, selfish, devious, corrupt Ambition for power, killed opponents Used the dogs, Moses the Raven, and Squealer to control the animals Joseph Stalin Not a good speaker, not as educated as Trotsky Didn’t follow Marx’s ideas Cared for power only; killed his opponents Used KGB, allowed the Church, used propaganda – all for control

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Squealer Convinces animals to believe and follow Napoleon Changes and manipulates the commandments Propaganda / The Ministry of Information Worked for Stalin to support his image Used any lie that would support Stalin Benefited from government control of education

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION The Dogs A private army that used fear to force the animals to work Killed or intimidated any opponent of Napoleon Essential part of Napoleon’s strategy to control the animals KGB, The Secret Police Not really police, but enforcers used to support Stalin Used force; often killed entire families for disobedience Totally loyal to Stalin, even more so than the military

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Moses the Raven Tells Animals about Sugar Candy Mountain (heaven) Animals can go there if they work hard Snowball and Old Major were against him They thought Sugar Candy Mountain was a lie to make the animals work. Napoleon let him stay because he taught the animals to work and not complain. Organized Religion Designed to teach people to not complain about their circumstances (why complain when you’ll be in heaven soon?) Stalin allowed religion to calm down the discontent of the people.

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Mollie Vain; loved her beauty and herself Didn’t think about Animal Farm Went with anyone that gave her what she wanted Vain people of Russia & the world / Bourgeoisie Some people didn’t care about the revolution Only thought of their own self interest Escaped to other countries that offered more for them

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Boxer Strong, loyal, hard working horse; believed in Animal Farm “I Will Work Harder” “Napoleon Is Always Right” Gives his all, but is betrayed by Napoleon who sells him to the glue factory. Dedicated, but tricked supporters of the Revolution People believed Stalin because he was “Communist” Many stayed loyal even after he was revealed as a tyrant Betrayed by Stalin who ignored or killed them

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Benjamin Old, wise donkey who is suspicious of Napoleon Thinks “nothing ever changes” – he was right Cynical, stubborn mindset His suspicious about Boxer being sent to the glue factory and the commandments being changed were proved true. “Donkey’s live a long time” Skeptical people of Russia and the outside world Weren’t sure Revolution would change anything Realized that a tyrant could call himself a Communist, but knew Communism wouldn’t work with tyrants

ANIMAL FARM vs. RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Overall details of the revolution: Was designed to make life better for the animals Life ended up being far worse under the animals as compared to the humans they rebelled against Overall details of the revolution: Supposed to fix the problems that existed under the Czar’s rule Life was worse (under Stalin’s control) after the revolution than before