Animal Farm vs. Russian Revolution Introduction George Orwell

Allegory From the Greek word allegorian which means, “To speak as if to imply something other.”

Animal Farm A moral warning against the abuse of power. A story of disillusionment against the Russian Revolution. An exposure of Stalin’s evils. A fable of human strengths & weaknesses.

Irresponsible to his animals – he lets them starve. Animal Farm - Mr. Jones Irresponsible to his animals – he lets them starve. Sometimes cruel – he beats them with a whip. Sometimes kind – he mixes milk in animal mash.

Russian Revolution – Czar Nicholas II A poor leader at best compared to western kings. Cruel –sometimes with brutal opponents. Sometimes kind –hired students with spies to make money.

Workers do the work, rich keep the money, animals revolt. Animal Farm – Old Major Taught Animalism. Workers do the work, rich keep the money, animals revolt. Dies before the revolution begins.

Russian Revolution – Karl Marx Invented communism. “Workers of the world unite,” take over the government. Dies before the Russian Revolution.

Animal Farm – Animalism No owners, no rich, but no poor. Workers get a better life, all animals are equal. Everyone owns the farm.

Russian Revolution - Communism Same All people are equal. Government owns everything, people own the government.

Young, smart, idealistic. Really wants to make life better for all. Animal Farm - Snowball Young, smart, idealistic. Really wants to make life better for all. One of the leaders of the Revolution. Chased away into exile by one of Napoleon’s dogs.

Russian Revolution – Leon Trotsky Other leader of “October Revolution.” Pure communist, followed Marx. Wanted to improve life for all in Russia. Chased away by Lenin’s KGB (secret police).

Animal Farm - Napoleon Not a good speaker, but as clever as Snowball. Cruel, brutal, selfish, devious, corrupt. His ambition is for power and he killed his opponents. Used dogs, Moses, and Squealer to control the masses.

Russian Revolution – Joseph Stalin Not a good speaker, not educated like Trotsky. Same as Napoleon as he did not follow Marx’s ideas. Cared only for power and killed all that opposed him. Used KGB, allowed church, used propaganda.

Animal Farm - Squealer Big mouth. Talks a lot. Convinces the animals to believe and follow Napoleon. Changes and manipulates the commandments.

Russian Revolution – Propaganda Dept. Part of Lenin’s government. Worked for Stalin to support his image. Used any lie to convince the people to follow Stalin. Benefited from the fact that education was controlled.

Animal Farm – The dogs A private army that used fear to force people to work. Killed or intimidated any opponent of Napoleon. Another part of Napoleon’s strategy to control the animals.

Russian Revolution – KGB Secret Police Not really police, but forced to control Stalin. Used force, often killed entire families of opponents. Totally loyal, part of Lenin’s power, over army.

Animal Farm – Moses the Raven Tells the animals about Sugar Candy Mountain – Heaven. Animals can go there if they work hard. Snowball and Major were against him. They thought Heaven was a lie to make animals work harder. Napoleon let him stay because he taught animals to work hard & not complain.

Russian Revolution - Religion Marx said “Relgion was an Opiate of the people.” (LIE!!) It is used to make people be complacent and do their work. Stalin knew religion would stop a violent revolution.

Animal Farm - Mollie Was vain, loved beauty and herself. Didn’t think about the animal farm. Went with anyone who gave her what she wanted.

Russian Revolution - Aristocrats Some people didn’t care about the revolution. Only cared about themselves. Went to other countries that offered more for them. Vain, selfish, people of Russia who did not care about the suffering of millions.

Animal Farm - Boxer Strong, hard working horse, who believes in animal farm. “Napoleon is always right.” “I must work harder.” Gives his all and is betrayed by Napoleon who sells him.

Russian Revolution – Dedicated Communists People believes Stalin because he was “communist.” Many stayed loyal after it was obvious Stalin was a tyrant. Betrayed by Stalin who ignored and killed them.

Animal Farm - Benjamin Old wise donkey, who is suspicious of revolution. Thinks nothing ever changes – he is right. His suspicions are true of Boxer and the sign changes (commandments).

Russian Revolution – Skeptical people in Russian & outsiders around world. Weren’t sure revolution would change anything. Realized that a crazy leader can call himself a communist. Knew that communism wouldn’t work with power hungry leaders.

Animal Farm – Overall Animal Revolution It was supposed to make life better for all. It was worse in the end. The leaders became the same as or worse than the farmer or humans they rebelled against.

The REAL RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Supposed to fix problems that existed under Czarist rule. Life was even worse long after the revolution. Stalin made the Czar look like a nice guy!