1. Animal Farm Introduction

2. What do you know about this picture? What can you remember about “The Tortoise and the Hare?”

3. Stories like “The Tortoise and the Hare” are called 1. Tell a brief, simplistic story. 2. Offer a moral or universal truth. 3. Use animals in place of people. The most celebrated writer of fables was Greek slave – 6 th century B.C.E. Master storyteller Wrote more than 600 fables

4. Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse. What is the moral or universal truth?

5. Animal Farm, our last unit of the year, is a fable written by George Orwell. It tells the story of an animal revolution on a British farm. But like all fables, beyond the simplistic story is a lesson and warning about human nature.

6. a story that can be read on multiple levels. Often, characters in the story will represent real people or ideas.

7. what period in American history? is allegorical to

8. Animal Farm is widely considered an allegory for The Russian Revolution of 1917 and the years that followed. The characters and events portrayed in the novel stand for real people and real occurrences during this time period.

9. Orwell also wrote the book to mock and ridicule the mistakes that were made by the Soviet leaders and people in this time.

11. Encourage competition between citizens Provides rewards unequally Everyone contributes to the greater good. Equal distribution of rewards “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” – Karl Marx writes in his manifesto “Survival of the fittest”

12. Failing economy Russia not as industrialized Could not compete economically with other countries Poverty and illiteracy high Little food and land available

13. So…. They overthrow the Tsar!!!

14. Karl Marx – “Father of Communism” Vladimir Lenin – Founder of the Soviet Union, communist leader along with Karl Marx Joseph Stalin – Soviet leader from 1924-1953 Leon Trotsky – Early leader after the revolution along with Stalin. Later opposes him. Vyacheslav Molotov – Assistant to Stalin, mainly responsible for public affairs (SPREADING PROPOGANDA) As we read Animal Farm, we will be observing how actual historical events are symbolized in the story.

15. North Korea Syria

16. The Author – George Orwell (1903-1950) British novelist, journalist, and critic Writes about social injustice and an opposition to totalitarianism Actually named Eric Blair Animal Farm earned the Prometheus Award for dystopian literature in 2011 (also given to Fahrenheit 451) Most famous for Animal Farm and 1984. Both novels are warnings about the dangers of too much power.

18. “Orwellian” Invasion of personal privacy State control of its citizens’ daily life Adoration of state leaders “doublespeak” – population must accept inconsistent concepts without dissent Revision of history by the state to make it look better Positive connotative titles to describe agencies or programs (war department - Ministry of Peace)

19. Unit Objectives Compare the story with historical events to see the allegory Look for a universal theme or moral Make connections between the story and world events of today