Animal Farm Introduction

Warm up Finish packet from yesterday

Animal Farm by George Orwell Written in 1945 At the time it was published, the UK and US were in alliance with the Soviet Union making the book very controversial and it was initially rejected by a number of publishers.

Novella - a work of fiction with a compact and pointed plot that is intermediate in length and complexity between a short story and a novel Satire - a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn Fable - a narration intended to enforce a useful truth; especially one in which animals speak and act like human beings Literary Categories

Background Information Allegory - Symbolic, fictional figures and actions are designed to represent truths or generalizations about human existence Based on the events leading up to the Russian Revolution between 1917 and 1943. Orwell creates an allegory to compare the Russian Revolution to a farm, Animal Farm. Background Information

Animal Farm is a fable, an allegory, and a satire Animal Farm is a fable, an allegory, and a satire! It is a satirical retelling of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalin, told from the perspective of animals.

Referenced Forms of Government Communist government - follows a theory advocating elimination of private property; goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed Reality - Karl Marx introduces communism, Leon Trotsky tries to implement a communist government. Book – Old Major dies, Snowball tries to implement communist/classless society run by the animals Socialism, a type of society between capitalism and communism distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done. Reality - people are oppressed under Czar Nicholas II Book – People are oppressed under Mr. Jones

Referenced Forms of Government Totalitarian government - the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state Reality - Joseph Stalin manipulates people to enforce a totalitarian government then kills off allies Book – Napoleon manipulates the animals to enforce a society that caters to the pigs. authority.

Characters and The Groups they Represent Mollie – horse, pampered, that still support owner Represents middle class, usually property owners Boxer – horse, hard workers, have to work to live Represents working class, must work to live Cat – Careless uninvolved Represents the politically inactive Moses – Raven that is left out Represents religion, Grigori Rasputin, left/stayed out

Characters and The Groups they Represent Muriel – Goat, literate Represents the educated Benjamin – Donkey; sceptics Represents people who were skeptical. Those who knew the revolution would not work Dogs – loyal to the revolution Represents the KGB – The Committee for State Secretary Squealer – pig, convinces others the pigs need more Represents the Propaganda Dept.

Characters and The People they Represent Mr. Jones = Czar Nicolas II Czar before revolution. Was harsh and oppressive

Characters and The People they Represent Old Major = Karl Marx Designed communism, wanted a classless society, made the plan Snowball = Leon Trotsky Opposed Czar, Charismatic, conceited, believed in Marx; supports communism Napoleon = Joseph Stalin Quiet but manipulative to get what he wants, Eventually beats Trotsky/Snowball, Totalitarian Ruler = government rule

Events in The book versus Reality (Allegory) Old Majors Dream – Communist Manifesto Marx’s, outlines communism The fall of Mr. Jones - represents the overthrow Tsar Nicholas II. Battle of Cowshed – represents the Russian Civil War The Windmill - the decision whether to expand communism. Napoleon's Initiative – represents Stalin’s 5 Year Plan Hen’s Rebellion - represents Stalin's Great Purge Battle of Windmill - represents World War II. Boxers Death - represents Stalin's betrayal of the proletariat Final Feast -  alludes to the beginning of the Cold War.

Places Represented: Manor Farm: Russia Animal Farm: USSR Pinchfield: Germany Willingdon: English Sugar Candy Mountain: Heaven Animalism: Communism Windmill: Stalin’s Five Year Plan Selling of the wood: Nazi-Russian agreement Battle at the Windmill: Battle of Stalingrad (Nazi invades Russia )

annotations Unknown words Summary (Per Chapter) Characterization Include author’s purpose Characterization Symbolism Allegory Theme Corrupt government Uneducated citizens

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