Bell Work What is a fable? Predict: Knowing we are in an Utopian Unit, what do you think the novel Animal Farm will be about?

Things to Know Before Reading Animal Farm

George Orwell Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it. Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it. In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. On the whole human beings want to be good, but not too good, and not quite all the time.On the whole human beings want to be good, but not too good, and not quite all the time. To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle. All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.

The story can be read on four levels: 1.As a satirical or dark fable story. 2.A history of the development of communist theory under Lenin and Stalin. 3.A history of Russia including its foreign relations from the October Revolution to the uneasy relationship between Russia and the western democracies as WWII drew to a close. 4.At the deepest most fundamental level an account of the way revolutions are made and corrupted, of the way men form political societies and exercise power in those societies, and finally an illustration of the famous dictum: Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely

Important Terms Fable– a brief tale told to point out a moral. Characters are most frequently animals. Satire—a literary manner or genre which blends critical attitude with humor and wit to the end that human institutions may be improved Totalitarianism—centralized control by an autocratic authority; the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority

More Things to Know! Communism--a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state. a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party.

Preface Read the preface of Animal Farm. Write down 3 main ideas. Write 2 things you found interesting about Orwell. Write 1 question you have.

Vocabulary 1-4 Animal Farm Enmity—deep hatred or hostility Vivacious—animated, spirited, lively Benevolent—desiring or inclined to do good Maxim—brief formulation of a principle or rule of conduct Ignominious—marked by shame or disgrace Posthumously—after death Seclusion—condition of being secluded, or set a part from others Pretext—purpose or excuse given to hide the real reason for something Aloof—distant, reserved, or indifferent in manner Sordid—filthy, squalid, or degraded, or base