Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution D. Maldonado
George Orwell ( ) Eric Blair Educated at private schools Resulted in hating the class system disapproved of Communism a socialist Communism was not pure socialism because: gulf in society control of the peasants Hypocritical used his writings to communicate a political message
Orwell and Satire Orwell was a socialist as well as a satirist Orwell became a critic of capitalism and communism Animal Farm is a Fable, a Satire, and an Allegory
Fable - A short story that has a moral and has animals as characters Brainstorm: Fables?
Satire -The use of ridicule to attack ideas/failures/evil action Brainstorm: Satirical cartoons?
Modern Examples
Allegory emblem: a visible symbol representing an abstract idea uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances; an extended metaphor
Wall-E as an Allegory “Allegorically, two metallic robots and a tiny green plant growing out of a discarded shoe appear prophetic, perhaps hyperbolically representing the concept of love for another, the necessity for community and the fragility of the balance of nature.”
Why an Allegory? Provides for a greater audience Easy way to spread a complex idea to the masses Less “in your face” type of persuasion; provides a way to talk about something without REALLY talking about it To understand how Animal Farm is an allegory, you must have knowledge of the Russian Revolution.
Allegory in Animal Farm Farmer Jones – Czar, Aggressive & Brutal Old Major – Karl Marx; philosopher Snowball – Lenin; democracy and industrialism Napoleon – Stalin; controlling, terrorism Squealer - propaganda
Allegory in Animal Farm Beasts of England – Song of Rebellion Windmill – Industrialization; hope that things will improve/life will get easier Dogs – Secret Police (KGB); kill enemies and enslave those who threaten ruling class Pigs – government (“smarter” than everyone else) Boxer – proletariat (working class); loyal & hardworking Mollie – upper class; lazy elitist Moses – Russian Orthodox Church (heaven = Sugar Candy Mountain) Benjamin – Older generation; things never change