1. Animal Farm by George Orwell
A satire of totalitarianism
Based on the Russian Revolution of 1917

2. The last Russian ruler Manor Farm = Old Russia
Mr. Jones = Czar Nicholas II ( )

3. Animalism All the animals = the Russian people Old Major = V. I. Lenin
Leader of the Bolshevik
party that seized control
in Inspired by
Marx’s theory of communism.
Old Major dreams of
a world where all animals
share in prosperity of the farm.

4. Karl Marx’s theory of Communism
Called for the workers of the world to unite and overthrow the capitalist industrialists.
Property, wealth and work should be divided equally among all members of society.
Goal is a classless society.

5. Lenin is responsible for changing Russia into the Soviet Union
Lenin is responsible for changing Russia into the Soviet Union. Old Major turns Manor Farm into Animal Farm. USSR’s flag has a hammer and a sickle symbolizing the tools of the workers. The flag of Animal Farm has a horn and hoof.

6. Snowball = Leon Trotsky
1879 – 1940
Another leader of the Bolshevik
Party and Lenin’s right-hand man.
An intellectual; had ideas on how
to transform Marx’s theories into
practice. Trotsky was the leader
of the Red Army and was successful in defeating the ”Whites” in the Russian Civil War.

7. Napoleon = Joseph Stalin (1879 – 1953)
Assumed control of the Communist party
Through acts of terror and brutality.
Napoleon’s dogs are like Stalin’s KGB, his secret police which he used to elimiate all opposition.
Propaganda

8. Squealer = Role of Propaganda
To squeal = 1) prolonged shrill; sound like a baby or a pig crying 2) turn informer 3) protest loudly
Helps Napoleon to present himself as an idealist working for change.
The Windmill reflects Stalin’s 5 Year Plans for revitalizing agriculture and industry.
Animals like Boxer, believe in the propaganda (lies). Stalin is one of the world’s most feared and brutal dictators.

9. Other events and characters
The Battle of the Cowshed = the Civil War
Frederick = Adolph Hitler who forged an alliance with Stalin in 1939, but who then attacked Russia in 1941.
Confessions and executions of animals = Purges and show trials under Stalin
The Battle of the Windmill = World War Two
The Battle of Stalingrad 1943 where Germany was defeated (Napoleon defeats Frederick)
The Card Game = Teheran Conference 1943

10. For further reflection:
What is the role of propaganda in the story? Give examples of it and show how it is used.
What kind of political system would Orwell have approved of?
In what way does Orwell satirize politicians, the masses (the populace), religion and tyranny?
(to satirize = to assail or ridicule
assail = make a strong verbal attack