A lie is as powerful as the truth if you can get someone to believe it. -- John Alston

Some Terms to Know: Allegory – a symbolic representation of abstract ideas, usually employing animals as characters. Allegory – a symbolic representation of abstract ideas, usually employing animals as characters. Satire - A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit. Satire - A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit. Fable - a short moral story (often with animal characters that speak and act like humans.) Fable - a short moral story (often with animal characters that speak and act like humans.)

Animal Farm, by George Orwell, is an allegory that takes a satirical look at government and political behavior.

Orwell used Animal Farm as an allegorical representation of the Russian revolution and Russian Communism. It has been said that Animal Farm is a byproduct of George Orwell's long- held hatred of totalitarianism (when gov’t involves itself in all facets of society)

Some Important Historical Background In 1848 Karl Marx began a campaign against the philosophy of Capitalism (a gov’t that encourages competition between its citizens and rewards in an unequal way – the US has a capitalist gov’t) In 1848 Karl Marx began a campaign against the philosophy of Capitalism (a gov’t that encourages competition between its citizens and rewards in an unequal way – the US has a capitalist gov’t) Marx felt this form of government helped the rich get richer and offered no relief to the poor. Marx felt this form of government helped the rich get richer and offered no relief to the poor.

He felt that people should rebel and form a new, idealistic form of government, where wealth is distributed equally amongst all citizens. This idea is known as Communism, an ideal that removes social class and makes everyone, regardless of occupation, equal. Everyone would have what they needed and no one citizen would possess more than another. He felt that people should rebel and form a new, idealistic form of government, where wealth is distributed equally amongst all citizens. This idea is known as Communism, an ideal that removes social class and makes everyone, regardless of occupation, equal. Everyone would have what they needed and no one citizen would possess more than another.

At the time of his death in 1883, his dream had not yet been realized though he did succeed in rousing the working class into a feeling of discontent. At the time of his death in 1883, his dream had not yet been realized though he did succeed in rousing the working class into a feeling of discontent. Among the leaders of this movement were Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky. Both had been banished from Russia for treason because they promoted revolution. At the same time, another man in Russia, Joseph Stalin, became enthralled by the same cause. Among the leaders of this movement were Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky. Both had been banished from Russia for treason because they promoted revolution. At the same time, another man in Russia, Joseph Stalin, became enthralled by the same cause.

At the dawn of the 20th century, Russia remained in the past. They were a country of farmers tethered to the old-fashioned plow, illiteracy was rampant, poverty was widespread, land was scarce, and food was hard to come by. Unlike most modern democratic societies, Russia was still run by a Czar, a royal government with little concern for the people. His rule was absolute. At the dawn of the 20th century, Russia remained in the past. They were a country of farmers tethered to the old-fashioned plow, illiteracy was rampant, poverty was widespread, land was scarce, and food was hard to come by. Unlike most modern democratic societies, Russia was still run by a Czar, a royal government with little concern for the people. His rule was absolute.

As time progresses, tens of thousands of workers joined the communist “soviets” and organized massive protests and revolts. Finally after weeks of violence, Czar Nicholas II admitted defeat and left the throne. As time progresses, tens of thousands of workers joined the communist “soviets” and organized massive protests and revolts. Finally after weeks of violence, Czar Nicholas II admitted defeat and left the throne. Lenin stepped up and took control of organizing the new government. With the help of his two councilmen, Trotsky and Stalin, the 3 guided new social policy. Lenin promised the people equality amongst all, he promised “Land, bread, and peace” for everyone, “All power to the soviets!” With that they ushered in the first ever Communist government. Lenin stepped up and took control of organizing the new government. With the help of his two councilmen, Trotsky and Stalin, the 3 guided new social policy. Lenin promised the people equality amongst all, he promised “Land, bread, and peace” for everyone, “All power to the soviets!” With that they ushered in the first ever Communist government.

The beginnings of the new rule stripped ownership of land and redistributed equally amongst the people. Banks and businesses would eventually come under government control so profits could be distributed equally. The communist era had begun, its goal was equality and peace for all, and forever. The beginnings of the new rule stripped ownership of land and redistributed equally amongst the people. Banks and businesses would eventually come under government control so profits could be distributed equally. The communist era had begun, its goal was equality and peace for all, and forever.

Not everyone agreed with this plan, however, and Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin were faced with a dilemma – How to deal with opposition. Their answer – to root out the enemy and destroy them. Thus the creation of the “Red Army” a ruthless and brutal group that identified and executed anyone who was believed to be anti- communist. Not everyone agreed with this plan, however, and Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin were faced with a dilemma – How to deal with opposition. Their answer – to root out the enemy and destroy them. Thus the creation of the “Red Army” a ruthless and brutal group that identified and executed anyone who was believed to be anti- communist.

Before peace could come to Russia, Lenin suffered 3 strokes, the last of which took his life. This put Trotsky and Stalin in the seat of power. Before peace could come to Russia, Lenin suffered 3 strokes, the last of which took his life. This put Trotsky and Stalin in the seat of power. Trotsky was a brilliant speaker. He was a visionary thinker with an appetite for books. Stalin had a quick mind that focused less on dreams and more on leadership. As a result he won the loyalty of the people. Trotsky was a brilliant speaker. He was a visionary thinker with an appetite for books. Stalin had a quick mind that focused less on dreams and more on leadership. As a result he won the loyalty of the people.

Stalin was in power for 25 years. During this time he was known for his 5 year plans. But these plans came with a price. In order to remove any competing voices or ideas, Stalin created the KGB, Russia’s secret police whose job it was to spy on and silence the opposition. Eventually Stalin set in motion a plan to “purge” certain governmental officials. Essentially forcing them to confess to crimes they did not commit and having them executed. By the time he was done, an estimated 2 to 7 million people had been killed. Even after his death many of his institutions remained. Stalin was in power for 25 years. During this time he was known for his 5 year plans. But these plans came with a price. In order to remove any competing voices or ideas, Stalin created the KGB, Russia’s secret police whose job it was to spy on and silence the opposition. Eventually Stalin set in motion a plan to “purge” certain governmental officials. Essentially forcing them to confess to crimes they did not commit and having them executed. By the time he was done, an estimated 2 to 7 million people had been killed. Even after his death many of his institutions remained.

Review Karl Marx dreamt of an ideal world where all people are equal. Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin follow this idea and incite rebellion. Communism begins and with it comes not the ideal of equality but a totalitarian government that demands loyalty.

Review Continued… Treason is seen in every corner and as a result the KGB and the “Red Army” execute many innocent citizens in the name of communism. All are supposedly equal but as leaders emerge, some become more “equal” than others – thus the beginnings of a dictatorship emerge.

Extension of Ideas Although the novel is a satire on the events of the Russian Revolution, this allegory applies to government in general. Although the novel is a satire on the events of the Russian Revolution, this allegory applies to government in general. In fact, there are still references to animal farm in more recent political satires as seen in these political cartoons: In fact, there are still references to animal farm in more recent political satires as seen in these political cartoons:

Reading Schedule You will be reading the majority of this novel on your own. You will be reading the majority of this novel on your own. The novel must be completed by Monday, November 13th. (Consult schedule for details) The novel must be completed by Monday, November 13th. (Consult schedule for details) As you read, complete the study guide questions to guide your understanding. As you read, complete the study guide questions to guide your understanding. Look for similarities between background information and the novel and complete the comparison chart. Look for similarities between background information and the novel and complete the comparison chart.