1. Animal Farm

2. Background
Political novel
British farm
Animal society
Allegory

3. Allegory Characters & events represent something else
Convey a moral or philosophical message
See the handout given to compare characters to Russian Revolutionist

4. Themes Power corrupts those who possess it
In society individuals are not treated equally
People’s ignorance contributes to their political & social oppression
Revolutions may result in a change of political power, but often the lives of a majority of people stay about the same

5. Corruptive nature of Power
Leaders & followers in society can act in ways that destroy freedom and equality
Napoleon will become more oppressive than Mr. Jones

6. Ignorant are Oppressed
Orwell illustrates the limiting of individual freedom through ignorance and misplaced loyalty of the animals
Boxer blindly follows and says, “If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right.”

7. Satire
Satire uses ridicule to make certain people, events, or institutions appear foolish
The story ridicules:
The vanity of humans (Mollie)
Blind followers (sheep)
Powerful people separating themselves (pigs)
Formation of committees creating an illusion of progress or change (pigs)
Accepting simplistic slogans

8. Irony Orwell uses dramatic, verbal & situational irony.
Dramatic-character believes, reader knows is not
Verbal- someone says one thing , but means something else
Situational-difference between what is expected/appropriate and what happens

9. Conflict Internal External Animal vs. cruel master (Mr. Jones)
Napoleon vs. Snowball
Animals vs. men on adjoining farms
External
Lack of internal conflict among animals whose doubts & disillusions are so easily smoothed over by Squealer