Animal Farm Background Notes

Characters The animals will all stand for major players in the Russian Revolution & Communist takeover. The following “people” will be featured in the guise of the animals (although people will still populate the book). As the story plays out, see if you can ascertain which animal/person represents the historical figures.

Characters 2 Lenin & Marxism (the idea that all can work together for the common good) Czar Nicholas II – he will be overthrown Stalin – a leader that uses harsh measures to establish his power and Russia’s prominence. Trotsky – a leader who tries to embody the Marxist concept of working together w/good plans & hard work / exiled Proletariat – regular common folk Secret Police Force – enforce leader’s rules / wishes Religion – one character will “communicate” religious info Churchill / Roosevelt – leaders from England & America who sometimes work with a leader from Russia Hitler – German leader from WW II Propagandist – easily “sells” ideas about leader’s wishes

Allegory A type of narrative where there is both a surface story and a subtext, often containing historical, religious or political info. Anthropomorphism is common. Recall this WIN word – giving human qualities & traits to non- human beings. Allegorical writing is not as common as it used to be b/c censorship is not as big of a problem as it used to be. People can complain about religion & political policy more freely now.

Fairy Tales These stories have their roots in the oral tradition and folklore/folk literature / folk tales. (Note the emphasis on folk – the common people.) Features common to fairy tales: – The power of three – The use of enchantment (witches, spells, disguises) – Physical & psychological adventures of hero/heroine – “T.H.E.” (the happy ending)

Watch for elements of fairy tales in this book. Why oh why would Orwell label it “fairy tale” when all is said and done? Think about censorship and about Orwell’s early publishing efforts.

Irony English teachers have yet to agree on a concise definition for irony. (In itself, this is ironic.) Most are willing to concede is that it is more than coincidence. The idea that the meaning of the writing (or the speaking) is different than the words is also common [recall the WIN word paradox. Another thing many view as a commonality – there is a sense that someone is being fooled or trapped.

Irony – For Animal Farm, we will consider three types… Verbal irony: what is said is very different than what is meant. Dramatic irony: the character is ignorant (unknowing) Structural irony: a naïve protagonist (WIN from last year) consistently paints a rosy picture about things. The reader knows otherwise. (What’s different from dramati irony is that the character’s ignorance is persistent throughout the work.)