Animal Farm By George Orwell

Author Notes was written by George Orwell. His actual name was Eric Blair. He was born in Bengal, India in He worked for the Indian Imperial Police but hated the job and quit because he said, “I felt I had to escape not merely from imperialism (unequal economic, cultural, and territorial system of government) but from every form of man’s dominion over man.” Animal Farm was written by George Orwell. His actual name was Eric Blair. He was born in Bengal, India in He worked for the Indian Imperial Police but hated the job and quit because he said, “I felt I had to escape not merely from imperialism (unequal economic, cultural, and territorial system of government) but from every form of man’s dominion over man.” He soon began to write about communist oppression. In order to do this accurately, he dressed in old clothes and befriended beggars. Animal Farm was published in 1946 and is an allegory, or symbolic narrative, criticizing communism. He soon began to write about communist oppression. In order to do this accurately, he dressed in old clothes and befriended beggars. Animal Farm was published in 1946 and is an allegory, or symbolic narrative, criticizing communism. He died of a brain hemorrhage on January 23, 1950 at age 47. He died of a brain hemorrhage on January 23, 1950 at age 47.

What Is An Allegory? A story that has a deeper or more general meaning in addition to its surface meaning. A story that has a deeper or more general meaning in addition to its surface meaning. It represents abstract ideas through the use of characters or events in a novel. It represents abstract ideas through the use of characters or events in a novel.

Themes 1. Communism is corrupted by Stalin. 1. Communism is corrupted by Stalin. 2. There is a social urge to maintain class structure. 2. There is a social urge to maintain class structure. 3. A naive working class is dangerous and contributes to its own oppression. 3. A naive working class is dangerous and contributes to its own oppression. 4. The abuse of language is instrumental to the abuse of power. 4. The abuse of language is instrumental to the abuse of power.

Characters Napoleon- The pig who emerges as the leader of Animal Farm after the Rebellion. Based on Joseph Stalin, Napoleon uses military force (his six loyal dogs) to intimidate the other animals and consolidate power. Joseph Stalin was dictator of the Soviet Union from 1922 until his death in Napoleon- The pig who emerges as the leader of Animal Farm after the Rebellion. Based on Joseph Stalin, Napoleon uses military force (his six loyal dogs) to intimidate the other animals and consolidate power. Joseph Stalin was dictator of the Soviet Union from 1922 until his death in Snowball- The pig who challenges Napoleon for control of Animal Farm after the Rebellion. Based on Leon Trotsky, Snowball is intelligent, passionate, eloquent, and less subtle and devious than his counterpart, Napoleon. Leon Trotsky was initially a supporter of Stalin and his policies but later was expelled from the Communist Party and deported from the Soviet Union because of his rebellion. Snowball- The pig who challenges Napoleon for control of Animal Farm after the Rebellion. Based on Leon Trotsky, Snowball is intelligent, passionate, eloquent, and less subtle and devious than his counterpart, Napoleon. Leon Trotsky was initially a supporter of Stalin and his policies but later was expelled from the Communist Party and deported from the Soviet Union because of his rebellion.

Characters Boxer- The cart-horse whose incredible strength, dedication, and loyalty play a key role in the early prosperity of Animal Farm and the later completion of the windmill. Boxer- The cart-horse whose incredible strength, dedication, and loyalty play a key role in the early prosperity of Animal Farm and the later completion of the windmill. Clover- A good-hearted female cart-horse and Boxer’s close friend. Clover- A good-hearted female cart-horse and Boxer’s close friend. Squealer- The pig who spreads Napoleon’s propaganda among the animals. Squealer- The pig who spreads Napoleon’s propaganda among the animals. Major- The prize-winning boar whose vision of a socialist utopia serves as the inspiration for the Rebellion. Based on Russian Revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. Vladimir Lenin led the Soviet Union during its initial years of 1917–1924. Major- The prize-winning boar whose vision of a socialist utopia serves as the inspiration for the Rebellion. Based on Russian Revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. Vladimir Lenin led the Soviet Union during its initial years of 1917–1924.

Characters Mollie- The vain, flighty mare who pulls Mr. Jones’s carriage. She represents the upper middle class that fled from Russia a few years after the Russian Revolution. The Russian Revolution was a series of revolutions in Russia in 1917 which led to the creation of the Soviet Union. Mollie- The vain, flighty mare who pulls Mr. Jones’s carriage. She represents the upper middle class that fled from Russia a few years after the Russian Revolution. The Russian Revolution was a series of revolutions in Russia in 1917 which led to the creation of the Soviet Union. Benjamin- The oldest animal on the farm, a donkey who refuses to feel inspired by the Rebellion. Benjamin- The oldest animal on the farm, a donkey who refuses to feel inspired by the Rebellion. Mr. Jones- The farmer who runs Manor Farm before the animals stage their Rebellion. Represents Tsar Nicholas II. Tsar Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia, ruled from 1894 until he was ousted on March 15, His reign saw Imperial Russia go from being one of the foremost great powers of the world to an economic and military disaster. Mr. Jones- The farmer who runs Manor Farm before the animals stage their Rebellion. Represents Tsar Nicholas II. Tsar Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia, ruled from 1894 until he was ousted on March 15, His reign saw Imperial Russia go from being one of the foremost great powers of the world to an economic and military disaster.

Characters Mr. Frederick- The tough, shrewd operator of Pinchfield, a neighboring farm. Based on Adolf Hitler. Adolf Hitler was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945 and, after 1934, also head of state, ruling the country as an absolute dictator. Mr. Frederick- The tough, shrewd operator of Pinchfield, a neighboring farm. Based on Adolf Hitler. Adolf Hitler was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945 and, after 1934, also head of state, ruling the country as an absolute dictator. Mr. Pilkington- The easygoing gentleman farmer who runs Foxwood, a neighboring farm. Represents the capitalist governments of England and the United States. Mr. Pilkington- The easygoing gentleman farmer who runs Foxwood, a neighboring farm. Represents the capitalist governments of England and the United States. Mr. Whymper- The human whom Napoleon hires to represent Animal Farm in human society. Mr. Whymper- The human whom Napoleon hires to represent Animal Farm in human society. Jessie and Bluebell- Two dogs, each of whom gives birth early in the novel. Napoleon takes the puppies in order to “educate” them. Jessie and Bluebell- Two dogs, each of whom gives birth early in the novel. Napoleon takes the puppies in order to “educate” them.

The Seven Commandments 1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 2. Whatever goes upon four legs or has wings is a friend. 2. Whatever goes upon four legs or has wings is a friend. 3. No animal shall wear clothes. 3. No animal shall wear clothes. 4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. 4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. 5. No animal shall drink alcohol. 5. No animal shall drink alcohol. 6. No animal shall kill any other animal. 6. No animal shall kill any other animal. 7. All animals are equal. 7. All animals are equal.