Animal Farm versus The Russian Revolution

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”  Joseph Goebbels—Hitler’s Propaganda Minister

What is irony? IRONY is a literary device in which there is a deliberate difference between what is said versus what is meant an understanding or expectation of reality and what actually happens

What is satire? SATIRE is a literary technique that is similar to irony, but it is extended throughout the entire work The purpose of satire is to send a powerful, critical message about a social issue

Allegory Deliberate, symbolic, representation of abstract principles by characters or figures.

Fable story in which animals speak and act like humans expresses a human failing or weakness

Pseudonym of Eric Arthur Blair Famous British writer/social critic George Orwell 1903-1950 Pseudonym of Eric Arthur Blair Famous British writer/social critic

Worked with the poor Felt that authority could be vicious In 1936, he fought against Fascism and totalitarianism. Realized the danger of the control of thought through language. He found that human liberty was being threatened.

His major concerns: totalitarianism, the corruption of power, and the demise of human nature.

Animal Farm On a farm somewhere in England Farm animals used to represent famous leaders in World War II/post-World War II history

A dictatorship cannot manage effectively and justly as a successful nation Without opposition, justice will never be served Animal Farm sheds light on the confusion and hope during the Russian Revolution

Russian Society The people lived in extreme poverty The people in power lived in luxury. The people were tremendously upset. Property owning class= bourgeoisie

Cruel/brutal to opponents Hired students as spies Czar Nicholas II A poor leader at best Cruel/brutal to opponents Hired students as spies

Believed he was appointed by God. Nicholas II Believed he was appointed by God. Murdered innocents (i.e., 1905 food riot in St. Petersburg)

Karl Marx Believed ownership of land should be abolished Believed in a “communal” way of life where everyone shares in prosperity

Karl Marx

Believed society should become “classless” Marx (cont.) Invented Communism Believed society should become “classless” Dies before Russian Revolution

Government owns everything Communism All people equal Government owns everything

Vladimir Lenin Adopted Marx’s ideas Believed that the bourgeoisie (middle class) exploited the workers and must therefore be overthrown.

Vladimir Lenin

Lenin (cont.) Understood the emotional impact of simple, powerful slogans “Workers of the world unite” When Lenin died, there was a power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin.

Lenin Dies When Lenin died, there was a power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin.

Believed in “pure” communism Followed Marx Leon Trotsky Believed in “pure” communism Followed Marx Wanted to improve life for all in Russia

Leon Trotsky

Trotsky (cont.) Brilliant speaker Worked with Lenin Succeeded in overthrowing the government Stalin’s KGB (secret police) chased him away

Civil War Broke Out

Craved power—willing to kill for it Joseph Stalin Craved power—willing to kill for it Used KGB, allowed church, and propagandized

Joseph Stalin

Average speaker, not educated like Trotsky Stalin (cont.) Average speaker, not educated like Trotsky Didn't exactly follow Marx's ideas

Stalin continually opposed Trotsky

Propaganda Department of Stalin’s government Worked for Stalin to support his image Lied to convince the people to follow Stalin

Benefited from the fact that education was controlled Stalin (cont.) Benefited from the fact that education was controlled

Stalin takes Control Kicked Trotsky out in 1929 Stalin used the exiled Trotsky for his scapegoat

Orwell’s Conclusion Theme democracy needs a good memory and good education to resist those who would forcefully rule Implies Snowball would have been eventually corrupted as well Power corrupts Revolution often leads to ideas being corrupted Old Major Used fable to disguise his book

Terminology Idealism = belief in noble principals (Old Major) Totalitarian = complete government control Proletariat = Marx felt this group had nothing to sell except labor Bourgeoisie = property owning class; capitalistic in nature Taciturn = inclined to silence (Benjamin)

Relationships/Comparisons Marx-Lenin--- Old Major Czar Nicholas Famer Jones Germany ---- Pinchfield Fredrick Trotsky------ Snowball Stalin-------- Napoleon

Relationships/Comparisons (cont.) Teheran Conference The card game Propaganda Agent- Squealer Russian Revolution The Rebellion Mr. Whymper--- The broker

In Summary We learn this book to remind us of the forms of government that don’t work. Too much power corrupts Education is power The overall concept of capitalism works and allows people to control their own lives.