Year 10 English Mr Doherty

Previous Lesson  We looked briefly at the life of George Orwell and his influences  We discovered how the novel ‘Animal Farm’ works as both an allegory and a fable  We exemplified both allegory and fable in the reading of ‘The Eagle and The Fox’  We identified that the text was written about Soviet totalitarianism under the misguided banner of communism  We looked briefly at the life of George Orwell and his influences  We discovered how the novel ‘Animal Farm’ works as both an allegory and a fable  We exemplified both allegory and fable in the reading of ‘The Eagle and The Fox’  We identified that the text was written about Soviet totalitarianism under the misguided banner of communism

In this Lesson we will:  examine the idea of Satire.  identify some modern examples of satire  explore reasons why Orwell chose to write his message as a satirical modern fable  learn about the Russian Revolution of 1917  continue reading  examine the idea of Satire.  identify some modern examples of satire  explore reasons why Orwell chose to write his message as a satirical modern fable  learn about the Russian Revolution of 1917  continue reading

Satire  Animal Farm is a satire on human folly especially in regards to politics  Satire uses humour to point out weaknesses in humans, ideas, or institutions  Good Satire is  Timely  Targets a specific weakness  Attempts to attack or expose  Animal Farm is a satire on human folly especially in regards to politics  Satire uses humour to point out weaknesses in humans, ideas, or institutions  Good Satire is  Timely  Targets a specific weakness  Attempts to attack or expose

Contemporary Examples  CNNN  The Onion  Political Cartoons  The Micalleff Pogram The Micalleff Pogram  CNNN  The Onion  Political Cartoons  The Micalleff Pogram The Micalleff Pogram

Orwell’s Reasons  We know Orwell wanted to create a novel that was political, but why use the devices of satire and allegory?  It makes it interesting for readers that may not normally read a political text, especially the common man of the period.  It reaches different age groups.  We know Orwell wanted to create a novel that was political, but why use the devices of satire and allegory?  It makes it interesting for readers that may not normally read a political text, especially the common man of the period.  It reaches different age groups.

Reason’s cont.  Orwell’s use of verisimilitude gives voice to his literary genius. It is noticeable that all of the characters are satirical developments of key players in the Soviet experiment, and yet also retain each animal’s personality.  It also allows a degree of safety through anonymity. ie. If Orwell doesn’t actually identify the characters involved, then you can’t really persecute the writer.  Orwell’s use of verisimilitude gives voice to his literary genius. It is noticeable that all of the characters are satirical developments of key players in the Soviet experiment, and yet also retain each animal’s personality.  It also allows a degree of safety through anonymity. ie. If Orwell doesn’t actually identify the characters involved, then you can’t really persecute the writer.

The Russian Revolution 1917  Russian Society pre-revolution  Key Figures  Romanov  Bolsheviks  Lenin  Stalin  Russian Society pre-revolution  Key Figures  Romanov  Bolsheviks  Lenin  Stalin

Vocabulary  Pogrom  Verisimilitude  Anonymity  Contemporary  totalitarianism  Bolsheviks  Exemplified  Pogrom  Verisimilitude  Anonymity  Contemporary  totalitarianism  Bolsheviks  Exemplified

Reading of text cont.