Animal Farm, “A Fairy Story” George Orwell “A powerful fable that uses animals to reflect human political failure”

Who/what does the hare represent. And the tortoise Who/what does the hare represent? And the tortoise? Is this just a story for children? What is the ‘moral’ of the story? Why tell a story like this? Why not just explain the ‘moral’ to people? Why use animals?

Fable A short tale that is passed on by word of mouth that has animal characters with human qualities that teaches readers a moral and/or lesson Animal Farm as a Fable… Characters are animals each with his/her own personality and human characteristics. The animals think, meet, talk, act, fight, disobey, and obey…

Allegory The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. An Allegory is.. A form of extended metaphor A story with two meanings 1.Literal meaning 2.Symbolic meaning

The underlying meaning of an allegory has moral, social, religious, or political significance In an allegory, characters are often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed, or envy. An allegory continues throughout the entire text Animal Farm as an Allegory… Animal Farm =History of Russia From 1917-1943 Animalism = Communism Characters =Russian Historical Figures

If this story is an allegory… What is the literal meaning and what is the symbolic meaning? What is the lesson?

Animal Farm An allegorical novella about power, corruption, and political failure Allegory Stories in which character and events represent or symbolize ideas and concepts Surface: story of animals living on a farm Symbolic: Stalin’s rise to power and abuse of Russian citizens Subtitled “A Fairy Story” Considered a political fable Fables: often use animals as characters; meant to teach a lesson or “moral” To what extent does Animal Farm achieve this?

Historical Background Read “The Russian Revolutionaries” and complete the collection sheet How would organize the revolutionaries on the following continuum Those who work for peaceful change Terrorists

Political & Allegorical context A Review

Karl Marx: The Father of Communism Opposed Capitalism According to Marx, in capitalist societies, workers (Proletariat) are exploited by the Bourgeoisie (who own the companies) Capitalism concentrates power and wealth into a very small group This same group controls most of society Communism Would put the ownership of production into the hands of those who are doing the labor Would decrease the presence of social classes, making society more equal

Marxism Communism The Communist Manifesto, 1848 Presents the Marxian vision Looks at history and how world divides into the “haves” and “have nots.” Proscription for the future: how system “will” work under Marx’s views Extremely influential (Lenin, Stalin, Trotsky) “From each according to his ability, for each according to his need” Everyone would have what they needed, and no one citizen would possess more than another.

Russian Revolution Russia was in an appalling state of poverty while the Czar (Nicholas II). There was tremendous dissatisfaction among the people. Bolshevism Later the Communist Party of Soviet Union Came to power after the October Revolution 1917 Lenin became the early leader Russian Communism All people are equal Government owns everything, but people own the government

Key Political Players Vladimir Lenin Leon Trotsky Joseph Stalin Adopted Marx’s ideas. He believed that the bourgeoisie must be overthrown. Leon Trotsky Tireless self-promoter; great public speaker Pure communist, followed Marx Wanted to improve life for all Russians Favors world revolution Joseph Stalin Does not follow Marx’s ideas Cares for power, kills all who oppose him Secures his power base when he exiles Trotsky in 1929 Stalin did kill Trotsky after his exile with an ice pick

A View of the Capitalist System What is the point of view of the cartoon? Do you agree with the point of view? What is your ideal vision of how society should be organized?

About the Novella

Written by George Orwell Also known as Eric Arthur Blair (1905-1950) British novelist and journalist Common themes/influences Awareness of social injustice Opposes totalitarianism Belief in democratic socialism Most well-known works 1984 (1949): dystopian novel Animal Farm (1945): allegorical novella

Quick Review What is a fable? What is an allegory?

Satire A manner of writing that mixed a critical attitude with wit and humor in an effort to improve mankind and human institutions The writer tries to make the reader have a negative opinion about someone by laughing at them or making them seem ridiculous or foolish

Techniques of Satire used in Animal Farm 1. Exaggeration To enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen. 2. Parody To imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing. 3. Ridicule Language or behavior intended to mock and humiliate 4. Reversal To present the opposite of the normal order (e.g., the order of events, hierarchical order).

Animal Farm as a 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

Read: Ways to Read Animal Farm Fable-Satire-Allegory What new insights do you gain into Animal Farm?

Utopia Idea of a “perfect society” “All animals are created equal.” Not sustainable, and bound to break down into a dystopia “Animalism” is corrupted and twisted as a power structure emerges There will always be people who want to have more power Orwellian: describes the totalitarianism and authoritarian practices that emerge in politics and reflected in literature

Animal Farm Themes

Animal Farm: Themes Power corrupts those who have it. People’s ignorance contributes to their political, and social oppression. In society, individuals are not treated equally All societies contain individuals who will seize power for their own ends. Revolutions may result in a change of political power, but most people’s lives stay about the same. Those in power try to revise history to fit a current political need.

Essential Questions: As you read Animal Farm , pay attention to the different characters in the novel. What parallels can you make between Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution? How is allegory and satire at work in the novel?

Essential Vocabulary

Chapter 1 What is significant about how the animals arrange themselves as they gather to hear Major? What might this arrangement say about future meetings or events? According to Major, what is the cause of all the animals’ problems?

“Beasts of England” What imagery is present? What is the message? Why do the animals like it so much that they memorize it on the spot? To what emotions and needs does it appeal?

The Internationale by Eugene Pottier This famous Socialist song by Eugene Pottier of France was probably the basis of “Beasts of England” Arise you prisoners of starvation, Arise you wretched of the earth, For justice thunders condemnation A better world’s in birth. No more tradition’s chains shall bind us Arise you slaves no more in thrall The earth shall rise on new foundations We have been naught – we shall be all. Chorus: So comrade, come rally And the last fight let us face. The Internationale unites the human race.

Read Democracy and Death in Beijing Square How might a totalitarian government might be changed? Use your knowledge of current events in Russia, the Middle East, South America, etc.

Chapter 2 After Major’s death what happens to the idea of rebelling against man? How does the behavior of the pigs foreshadow their eventual leadership positions?

Before reading Chapter 3 From what you know so far about the pigs and the other animal on the farm, speculate on what the future will be like for the animals. As you continue reading, compare your predictions to what actually happens in the novel.

Chapters 3 and 4 What further examples of the differences between pigs and the other animals occur in these two chapters?

Before reading Chapter 5 Make a list of all the changes that occur in this chapter

Chapter 5 Explain the windmill controversy from two different points of view: Snowball’s Napoleon’s Note how the animals now arrange themselves when they enter the barn to receive their orders as compared to the description in Chapter 1.

Before Chapter 6 Write a Persuasive Essay Use details from the first five chapters to support your position How might Snowball have run things if he had gotten rid of Napoleon? Would things have been any different? Are there indications that Snowball’s idea for running the farm would have proved more beneficial to the animals? Or would things have turned out the same?

Chapter 6 and 7 Why does Napoleon order the animals to stop singing “Beasts of England”? How does this relate to your reading of Democracy and Death in Beijing Square?

Chapters 8 and 9 What purpose is served by the production figures Squealer reads to the animals? Activity: Find advertisements from newspapers, magazine, online, etc. that use figures to support their pitch.

Compare/Contrast the poem “Comrade Napoleon” to “Beasts of England” “Comrade Napoleon” p. 100/101 Friend of fatherless! Fountain of happiness! Lord of the swill-bucket! Oh, how my soul is on Fire when I gaze at they Calm and commanding eye, Like the sun in the sky, Comrade Napoleon! Thou are the giver of All that thy creatures love, Full belly twice a day, clean straw to roll upon; Every beast great or small Sleeps at peace in his stall, Thou watchest over all, Had I a sucking pig. Ere he had grown as big Even as a pint bottle or as a rolling-pin, He should have learned to be Faithful and true to thee, Yes, his first squeak should be “Beasts of England” p. 32/33 Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland, Beasts of every land and clime, Hearken to my joyful tiding Of the golden future time. Soon or late the day is coming, Tyrant Man shall be o’erthrown, And the fruitful field of England Shall be trod by beasts alone. Rings shall vanish from our noses, And the harness from our back, Bit and spur shall rust forever, Cruel whips no more shall crack. Riches more than mind can picture, Wheat and barley, oats and hay, Clover, beans, and mangel-wurzels Shall be ours upon that day. Bright will shine the fields of England, Purer shall its waters be, Sweeter yet shall blow its breezes On the day that sets us free. For that day we all must labour, Though we die before it break; Cows and horses, geese and turkeys, All must toil for freedom’s sake. Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland, Beasts of every land and clime, Hearken well and spread my tidings

Chapter 10 What changes have the years brought to the farm? How does Orwell make fun of bureaucracy?

End of Novel Project