Download Animal Farm Context

Animal
Farm
By George Orwell
Allegory - Satire - Fable
Source:www.d.umn.edu/~lunda009/images/Animal-Farm.
Source:www.worldofteaching.com
George Orwell
British Author & Journalist
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1903-1950
Born in India
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At that time India was a part of the British
Empire, and Blair's father, Richard, held a post
as an agent in the Opium Department of the
Indian Civil Service.
The Blair family was not very wealthy - Orwell
later described them ironically as "lower-uppermiddle class". They owned no property, had no
extensive investments; they were like many
middle-class English families of the time, totally
dependent on the British Empire for their
livelihood and prospects (Ward).
Noted as a novelist and critic, as well as a
political and cultural commentator
One of the most widely admired Englishlanguage essayists of the 20th century
Best known for two novels critical of
totalitarianism in general, and Stalinism in
particular:

Animal Farm
Nineteen Eighty-Four

Source: www.online-literature.com/orwell/
“Liberty is telling people what they do not want to hear” (Orwell).
1984

Source:www.worldofteaching.com
The novel, published in
1949, takes place in 1984
and presents an imaginary
future where a totalitarian
state controls every aspect
of life, even people's
thoughts. The state is
called Oceania and is ruled
by a group known as the
Party; its leader and
dictator is Big Brother
(Ward).
Source: http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/
George Orwell and His Beliefs
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Orwell was a person who had a reputation for standing apart
and even making a virtue of his detachment.
This “outsider” position often led him to oppose the crowd.
Orwell’s beliefs about politics were affected by his experiences
fighting in the Spanish Civil War.
He viewed socialists, communists, and fascists as repressive
and self-serving.
He was skeptical of governments and their willingness to
forsake ideas in favor of power (Ward).
Interesting Fact:
George Orwell’s real name was Eric Blair.
Source: http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/
Source:www.worldofteaching.com
Why Animals?

In explaining how he came to write Animal
Farm, Orwell says he once saw a little boy
whipping a horse and later he wrote,

“It struck me that if only such animals became aware
of their strength we should have no power over them,
and that men exploit animals in much the same way
as the rich exploit the [worker].” Source:http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/
Source:www.worldofteaching.com/
George Orwell in India
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He was born in India and
spent his early years
there since his father held
a post there.
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He was a lonely boy who
liked to make up stories
and talk with imaginary
companions.
As an adult, he worked
for the Imperial Police in
British occupied India
(Ward).
Source:http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/
What is Animal Farm?

A masterpiece of political satire,
Animal Farm is a tale of the society
animals form into a totalitarian
regime. It is generally viewed as
Orwell's critique of the communist
system in the former Soviet Union
(Ward).
Interesting Fact: Orwell initially struggled
to find a publisher for Animal Farm.
Source:http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.teachwithmovies.org
Significance Today
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But why – now that Soviet Communism
has fallen and the Cold War is over –
does Animal Farm deserve our
attention?
The answer lies in the power of
allegory. Allegorical fables, because
they require us to make comparisons
and connections, can be meaningful to
any reader in any historical period
(Ward).
Source:http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/
Children’s Book? – No!
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After Animal Farm was published in 1945, George
Orwell discovered with horror that booksellers were
placing his novel on children’s shelves. According to
his housekeeper, he began traveling from bookstore
to bookstore requesting that the book be shelved with
adult works. This dual identity — as children’s story
and adult satire — has stayed with Orwell’s novel for
more than fifty years (Ward). Source:http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/
The Fable

Source:
chicago.broadwayworld.com/article/Northwester…
The fable is one of the oldest
literary forms - much, much older
than the novel or the short story
(Ward). A fable is usually short,
written in either verse or prose, and
conveys a clear moral or message.
The earliest fables still preserved
date back to 6th Century Greece
B.C.E. The author of these fables,
Aesop, used animal characters to
stand for human "types." For
example, a fox character might
embody the human characteristics
of cunning and cleverness. Though
Aesop's animal fables were
ostensibly about animals, they were
really instructional tales about
human emotions and human
behavior (Ward).
Animal Fables
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The most popular animal fables of
the 20th Century are the Just So
Stories (1902) written by Rudyard
Kipling. Kipling's fables were
adapted by Disney in the movie
The Jungle Book. Orwell admired
Kipling and the Just So Stories
would seem to have influenced the
form of Animal Farm. Orwell took
the short animal fable and
expanded it to the length of a short
novel in the form of an allegory
(Ward).
Source:officialmdub.wordpress.com/.../14/jungl
e-book/
Vocabulary Chapter One
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Autocracy-government in which one person
has uncontrolled or unlimited authority over
others; the government or power of an absolute
monarch.
Utopia- an ideally perfect place, especially in
its social, political, and moral aspects; a work
of fiction describing a utopia.
Ensconced-to settle securely or snuggly.
Cynical-pessimistic, having a disbelief in the
sincerity of human motives.
Vocabulary Chapter One
Plaited-a braid, especially of hair or straw
 Dissentient-one who differs in sentiment
or opinion, especially from the majority;
one who disagrees
 Enmity-hostility, hatred, ill will,
animosity
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Literary Terms Chapter One
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Allegory-Most fables have two levels of meaning. On the
surface, the fable is about animals. But on a second level,
the animals stand for types of people or ideas. The way the
animals interact and the way the plot unfolds says
something about the nature of people or the value of ideas.
Any type of fiction that has multiple levels of meaning in this
way is called an allegory (symbolic narrative).
Source: www.metro.co.uk/.../281364-film-animal-farm-u
Source: www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/ulbricht.htm
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Literary Terms Chapter One
(cont’d)
Allegory (cont’d) Yet there
is no reason that allegory
must be limited to two
levels. It is possible to argue
that Animal Farm also has
a third and more general
level of meaning. It could
represent people with
character traits in a very
general manner. For
example, Molly is a very
vain, comfort-loving
character; she could
represent all people with
those character traits.
Source: www.northernstarart.com/photos/paintingsMolly...
Allegory (cont’d)
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Boxer
Animal Farm is strongly allegorical,
but it presents a very nice balance
between levels of meaning. On the
first level, the story about the
animals is very moving. But at the
same time, each of the animals does
serve as a symbol. The story's
second level involves the careful
critique Orwell constructed to
comment on Soviet Russia (Ward).
Source:www.worldofteaching.com
Literary Terms Chapter One
(Cont’d)
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Rhetoric- the study of the technique of
using language effectively; the art of using
speech to persuade, influence, or please;
oratory
Literary Terms Chapter One
(cont’d)
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Anthropomorphism
-Attribution of human
motivation,
characteristics, or
behavior to inanimate
objects, animals, or
natural phenomena.
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Sporce:metro.co.uk
Vocabulary Chapter Two
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pre-eminent-outstanding, superior, surpassing
apathy-lack of interest or concern, indifference
gambolled-to skip about as in dancing or playing,
frolicked
Literary Terms Chapter Two
Beast Fable-a beast fable is usually short,
written in either verse or prose, and conveys a
clear moral or message using
animal characters to stand for human types.
 Characterization-description of character traits.
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Satire
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In a satire, the writer
attacks a serious issue by
presenting it in a ridiculous
light or otherwise poking fun
at it.
Orwell uses satire to expose
what he saw as the myth of
Soviet socialism. Thus, the
novel tells a story that
people of all ages can
understand, but it also tells
us a second story— that of
the real-life revolution
(Ward).
Soviet Coat of Arms
Source:
www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=73950.
..
Vocabulary Chapter Three
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Conceived- imagined, to form a notion or idea
of
Acute- keen, sharp or severe in effect, intense
Cryptic- mysterious in meaning, puzzling,
ambiguous
Maxim-proverb, a principle or rule of conduct
Literary Terms Chapter Three
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Propaganda is information or ideas
methodically spread to promote or injure a
cause, movement, nation, etc.
It is used as advertisements to "sell" a
product or idea or to persuade a person to
do or believe something.
Examples include commercials,
advertisements, movie trailers, lawn signs,
etc.
Source:www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/propaganda
The Hoof and Horn
Literary Terms Chapter Three
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Utopia- an ideal
community or
society possessing
a perfect sociopolitico-legal
system
Vocabulary Chapter Four
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Tractable- obedient, easily managed or controlled
Contemptible- despicable, deserving of contempt.
Flogging-beating, especially with a whip, strap
Irrepressible-uncontrollable
Ignominious-dishonorable
Impromptu-unrehearsed, made or done without
previous preparation
Vocabulary Chapter Five
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Pretext-excuse, something put forward
to conceal a true purpose or objective
Publican-tavern keeper
Manifestly-evidently, apparently,
obviously
Liable-likely or apt
Innovations-changes, introduction of
new things or methods
Procured-obtained, the use of special
means
Vocabulary Chapter Six
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Arable-farmable, capable of producing
crops
Malignity-ill will, intense spite
Scapegoat-a person or thing made to bear
the blame for others or to suffer in their
place.
Vocabulary Chapter Seven
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Capitulated-surrendered
Attribute-blame
Graphically- vividly
Categorically- absolutely
Countenance-face
Incited-urged
Retribution-punishment
Vocabulary Chapter Eight
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Skulking- lurking, to lie or keep in hiding
Rash-hasty, acting without due
consideration
Machinations-plots, crafty schemes
Censured-criticized, strong or vehement
disapproval
Conciliatory-pacifying, overcoming the
distrust or hostility of
Unscathed-unharmed, unhurt
Contrived-schemed, obviously planned or
forced
Vocabulary Chapter Nine
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Superannuated- retired because of age or
infirmity
Complicity- partnership, the fact or
condition of being an accomplice
Demeanor-behavior, conduct, deportment
Vocabulary Chapter 10
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Inebriate-drunkard, an intoxicated person
Morose-gloomy, given to depressed or
sullen moods
Taciturn- silent, inclined to silence,
reserved
Subsisted- existed, to remain alive, live as
on food
Irony
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Irony results when there is a
disparity between what an
audience would expect and what
really happens.
Orwell uses a particular type of
irony – dramatic irony. He
relies on the difference between
what the animals understand
and what we, the audience, can
conclude about the situation at
Animal Farm (Ward).
Pig below the commandments.
Pig overindulging himself.
Source:http://images.google.com/images?q=pictures+of+ani
mal+farm&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en
Dystopia
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An imaginary place or state in which the
condition of life is extremely bad, as from
deprivation, oppression, or terror.
A work describing such a place or state:
"dystopias such as Brave New World" (Times
Literary Supplement).
Source:http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dystopia
Theories of Misery and
Revolution
“No animal in England is free.
The life of an animal is
misery and slavery: that is
the plain truth[…]” (Orwell
28).
“Why then do we continue in
this miserable condition?
Because nearly the whole of
the produce of our labor is
stolen from us by human
beings[…] (28).
“Remove man from the scene
ad the root of hunger and
overwork is abolished
forever[…] (29).
“What must we do?[...]
Rebellion!” (30).
Theories of Misery and
Revolution
Old Major expands on
Marx’s theory of misery
and gives the animals
Lenin’s theory of
revolution as presented in
What is to be Done, a
pamphlet published in
1902.
In the pamphlet Lenin
echoed Marx: “The life of
the worker is misery- he is
exploited by the capitalist
and he never enjoys the
full benefits of his labor.”
Source:www.worldofteaching.com
When History and Literature Merge
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Critics often consider Animal Farm to be
an allegory of the Russian Revolution. In
the early 1900s, Russia’s Czar Nicholas
II faced an increasingly discontented
populace. Freed from feudal serfdom in
1861, many Russian peasants were
struggling to survive under an oppressive
government (Ward).
By 1917, amidst the tremendous
suffering of World War I, a revolution
began. In two major battles, the Czar’s
government was overthrown and
replaced by the Bolshevik leadership of
Vladimir Lenin.
When Lenin died in 1924, his former
colleagues Leon Trotsky, hero of the
early Revolution, and Joseph Stalin, head
of the Communist Party, struggled for
power. Stalin won the battle, and he
deported Trotsky into permanent exile
(Ward).
Source:http://www.netcharles.com/orwel
Source:www.worldofteaching.com
Czar Nicholas II
Vladimir Lenin
Joseph Stalin
Leon Trotsky
Joseph Stalin
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Once in power, Stalin began, with despotic
urgency and exalted nationalism, to move
the Soviet Union into the modern industrial
age. His government seized land in order to
create collective farms (Ward).
Stalin’s Five Year Plan was an attempt to
modernize Soviet industry. Many peasants
refused to give up their land, so to counter
resistance Stalin used vicious military
tactics. Rigged trials led to executions of an
estimated 20 million government officials
and ordinary citizens (Ward).
The government controlled the flow and
content of information to the people, and all
but outlawed churches (Ward).
Source:www.worldofteaching.ct
Joseph Stalin
What does the windmill
represent?
The Windmill- What does the
windmill represent?
The NEP- the New Economic
Policy/ Stalin’s Five Year Plan to
modernize industry and agriculture
in the Soviet Union
o
oThe infrastructure of a nation
The New Economic Policy
(NEP 1921-1928)
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Announced March 1921 by Lenin.
Designed to replace worn-out machines with new ones.
Let the peasants sell most of their grain for whatever they could
get to stimulate the production of consumer goods through an
open market or capitalistic approach.
The partnership between the proletariat and the peasant masses
was hailed as a great Communist accomplishment.
Ended with Stalin’s realization that the peasants’ pace was too
slow- production was not increasing at all.
Stalin replaced it with wholesale transition to collective
farming.
The Hen’s Rebellion
“You can’t make an
omelet without
breaking some
eggs.”
Ch. 7 The Hen’s Rebellion
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Hens refuse to lay
eggs for
Napoleon’s cashproducing scheme
Let their eggs fall
and smash rather
than surrender
them.
Hens were starved
into submission
Annihilation of the Kulaks
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In 1928 Stalin initiated
collective farming
Converted all kulak farms
to collective farms
Kulaks slaughtered their
own livestock rather than
surrender it.
Kulaks were murdered
and deported , 1928
through 1929
Annihilation of the Kulaks
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Back in the
Ukraine, by 1932
the farmers
remaining were
forced to work on
large collective run
by the state on
land that they had
seized.
http://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+the+kulaks&hl=en&client=fi
refox-a&hs=0NU&rls=org.mozilla:enUS:official&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=GU_JTfrV
N8fa0QH3weTbCA&ved=0CBoQsAQ&biw=886&bih=483
Annihilation of the Kulaks
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All were forced to give major
portions of their grain harvest
to Stalin to be sold on the
foreign market to finance his
military and infrastructure
projects.
All that would not participate
were branded Kulaks and
shipped to be with the others
in Siberia. So much grain was
taken that the farmers were in
many times left with nothing
and this created a huge forced
famine by the winter of 1933.
http://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+the+kulaks&hl=en&client=
firefox-a&hs=0NU&rls=org.mozilla:enUS:official&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=GU_JTfr
VN8fa0QH3weTbCA&ved=0CBoQsAQ&biw=886&bih=483
Annihilation of the Kulaks

The Holodomor, literal
translation “Killing by
Hunger”) was a manmade famine in the
Ukrainian SSR, part of the
Soviet famine of 1932–
1933. During the famine,
which is also known as
the "terror-famine in
Ukraine" and "faminegenocide in Ukraine”,
millions of Ukrainians
died.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holodomor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holodomor
Battle of the Windmill=WWII
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Stalin’s disloyalty to the
Western Allies
(Pilkington) led to his
signing a nonaggression
pact with Hitler
(Frederick) in 1939, after
Hitler clearly threatened
Europe. The cries from
England, France, and the
United States criticizing
the pact fell on deaf ears.
Battle of the Windmill

In 1941 Hitler betrayed
the pact and invaded
Russia. When Stalin cried
for help, some
remembered his rebuffs
with revenge in mind, but
most Western leaders
were glad to have Stalin’s
friendship, however selfserving it may have been.
Battle of the Windmill

Though Hitler was
eventually defeated, his
army left the Soviet
Union in ruin. Many
historians credit Hitler’s
decision to attack Russia,
opening a second front of
battle to support, as the
cause of his ultimate
defeat.
Characters
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Old Major
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An old boar whose speech about
the evils perpetrated by humans
rouses the animals into rebelling.
His philosophy concerning the
tyranny of Man is named
Animalism.
He teaches the animals the song
“Beasts of England”
Dies before revolution
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Karl Marx
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The inventor of communism
Wants to unite the working class
to overthrow the government.
Dies before the Russian
Revolution
Lenin took Marxist principles to
create Leninism.
Who is Karl Marx?
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Many of the ideals behind the
Soviet revolution were based on
the writings and teachings of Karl
Marx. A German intellectual who
lived in the mid-1800s, Marx
believed that societies are divided
into two segments, a working class
and an owner class (Ward). The
working class creates all the
products, while the owner class
enjoys all the benefits of these
products. This class division leads
to inequality and oppression of the
working class. Marx’s objective
was to create a classless society in
which the work is shared by all for
the benefit of all, and he believed
revolution was the way to achieve
this goal (Ward).
Source:www.worldofteaching.com
Farmer Jones = Czar Nicholas II
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Farmer Jones
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The irresponsible owner of the
farm
Lets his animals starve and beats
them with a whip
Sometimes shows random
kindness
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Czar Nicholas II
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Weak Russian leader during the
early 1900s
Often cruel and brutal to his
subjects
Displays isolated kindness
Napoleon = Joseph Stalin
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Napoleon
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Boar who leads the rebellion against
Farmer Jones
After the rebellion’s success, he
systematically begins to control all
aspects of the farm until he is an
undisputed tyrant.
Source:
www.greatdreams.com/political/animal_farm.htm

Joseph Stalin
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The communist dictator of the Soviet
Union from 1922-1953 who killed all
who opposed him.
He loved power and used the KGB
(secret police) to enforce his ruthless,
corrupt antics.
Source: www.georgianbiography.com/bios/s/stalin.htm
Snowball = Leon Trotsky
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Snowball
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Boar who becomes one of the
rebellion’s most valuable leaders.
After drawing complicated plans
for the construction of a windmill,
he is chased off of the farm
forever by Napoleon’s dogs and
thereafter used as a scapegoat for
the animals’ troubles.
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Leon Trotsky
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A pure but ruthless communist
leader who was influenced by the
teachings of Karl Marx.
He wanted to improve life for
people in Russia, but was driven
away by Lenin’s Secret Police.
Characterization in Fables

We already know that a fable is a narration intended to enforce a useful truth.
Fables have two important characteristics. First, they teach a moral or lesson.
In Animal Farm, the moral involves Orwell’s views about Soviet politics.
Second, the characters are most frequently animals. These animal characters
often function as a satiric device to point out the follies of humankind. Though
Old Major, Snowball, and Napoleon may represent Karl Marx, Leon Trotsky,
and Joseph Stalin, many of the story characters are much more general. Some
animals are grouped together as a single character—“the sheep,” “the hens,”
and “the dogs.” Orwell also capitalizes on the traits generally associated with
particular animals, such as sheep as followers and dogs as loyal (Ward).
Source:www.worldofteaching.com
Boxer-an allegory within an
allegory
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A dedicated and hard
working horse who aids in
the building of the windmill
but is sold to a glue-boiler
after collapsing from
exhaustion.
Represents the proletariatdedicated, but tricked
communist supporters of
Stalin. Many stayed loyal
even after it was obvious
Stalin was a tyrant.
Eventually they were
betrayed, ignored, and
even killed by him (Ward).
Source:www.worldofteaching.com
Squealer
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A big mouth pig who
becomes Napoleon’s
mouthpiece.
Throughout the novel,
he displays his ability
to manipulate the
animals’ thoughts
through the use of
hollow, yet convincing
rhetoric (Ward).
Represents the
propaganda
department that
worked to support
Stalin’s image; the
members of the
department would
use lies to convince
the people to follow
Stalin (Ward).
Jessie & Moses
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Jessie
 The farm's sheepdog, she keeps tabs
on the pigs and is among the first to
suspect that Napoleon is changing the
commandments (Ward).
Moses
 A tame raven and sometimes pet of
Jones who tells the animals stories
about a paradise called Sugarcandy
Mountain.
 Moses represents the abuse of religion.
Stalin used religious principles to
influence people to work and to avoid
revolt (Ward).

Source:www.worldofteaching.com
Jessie
Moses
More Characters
Pilkington
Jones' neighbor, he finds a way to profit from Animal Farm by forming an
alliance with the pigs. Represents the allied forces.
Muriel
A goat who believes in the rebellion, she watches as Animal Farm slips
away from its founding principles.
Mollie
A vain horse who resists the animal rebellion because she doesn't want to
give up the petting and treats she receives from humans. Mollie represents
vain, selfish people in Russia and throughout the world who ignored the
revolution and sought residence in more inviting countries. Also known as
czartists /luxurious bourgeois class.
Benjamin
The most cynical of all the animals, the farm's donkey doubts the leadership
of the pigs but is faithfully devoted to Boxer. Benjamin represents all the
skeptical people in Russia and elsewhere who weren’t sure revolution would
change anything. Survivor at any cost.
The Sheep
Not tremendously clever, the sheep remind themselves of the principles of
animalism by chanting "four legs good, two legs bad."
The Dogs
Napoleon’s private army that used fear to force the animals to work; they killed
any opponent of Napoleon. The dogs represent Stalin’s loyal OGPU later
KGB (secret police). Source:www.worldofteaching.com
Animalism = Communism
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Animalism
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Taught my Old Major
No rich, but no poor
Better life for workers
All animals are equal
Everyone owns the
farm
Source:www.worldofteaching.com

Communism
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Invented by Karl Marx
All people are equal
Government owns
everything
People own the
government
Animal Farm Revolution
= Russian Revolution
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Animal Farm Revolution
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Was supposed to make life
better for all, but . . .
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Life was worse at the end.
The leaders became the
same as, or worse than the
other farmers (humans) they
rebelled against.
Source:www.worldofteaching.com

Russian Revolution

Was supposed to fix the
problems created by the
Czar, but . . .


Life was even worse after
the revolution.
Stalin’s policies killed
millions of people.
Works Cited


Ward, Lisa. “Animal Farm 1.” Power point
presentation. World of Teaching. World of
Teaching, 23 Feb. 2010. Web. 7 Apr. 2010.
www.worldofteaching.com.
"anthropomorphism." The American Heritage®
Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth
Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 13 Apr.
2010. <Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/anthropomo
rphism>.