Allegory and Background George Orwell’s Animal Farm

Russian Revolution – The main characters 1917 - ended the long reign of tsars in Russia and created the communistic Soviet Union. Vladimir Ilich Lenin - founder of the Communist Party in Russia and the leader of the Russian Revolution. Leon Trotsky - Russian Communist Leon Trotsky led his comrades during the Russian Revolution of 1917 later served as a leader of the Soviet Union under Lenin. After Lenin's death, Trotsky was exiled and later assassinated by an ax murderer. Tsar Nicholas II - served as the last emperor of Russia from 1895 to 1917. He, his wife, and their children were executed following the October Revolution

Russian Revolution Causes and Facts There was a huge social gulf between the peasants who were former serfs and the land owners. The peasants regarded anyone who did not work as a parasite. They had always regarded as all land belonging to them. To the peasants the land retained by the landowners at the time serfs were freed was stolen by them. Modernization created literacy amongst the peasants and made them open to new, revolutionary ideas. The Tsar was inefficient as a government leader Around WWI, the people were suffering because of Nicholas II’s poor leadership

Russian Revolution Causes and Facts (cont.) February revolution happened as a result of bread shortages A Provisional Government was set up PG tried to continue the war and to keep the peasants from taking the land while trying to avoid methods of dictatorship. In so doing they were trying to impose a policy that ran counter to the wishes of the mass of peasants and soldiers and workers. Bolshevik Party was only significant party to clearly oppose the Provisional Government and to unambiguously support the aims of the soldiers and workers and peasants. Ended up as dictatorship – Joseph Stalin 

They generally have a religious or political flair. Allegory Defined A story, picture, or play that represents ideas or events by using characters, narrative, drama, and/or images They generally have a religious or political flair.

Examples of Allegory The Matrix – Biblical allegory Thomas Anderson= Doubting Thomas He never really believes he is the “one.” The Crew of the Nebuchadnezzar = the disciples A group of people who help Neo on his mission Morpheus = John the Baptist He announces the coming of the “one.”

Allegorical Characters in Animal Farm Characterization Allegory Mr. Jones -owner of manor farm -irresponsible about his animals -sometimes cruel -sometimes kind -animals join to force him from farm Tsar Nicholas II A poor leader -cruel; sometimes brutal with opponents -sometimes kind; hired students as spies to earn money -people join together to force him to give up his power as ruler Old Major -respected pig -taught animalism/ utopia -died before revolution Karl Marx -came up with Socialism

Allegorical Characters in Animal Farm (cont.) Boxer -strong, hard-working horse -can’t think for himself -motto: “Napoleon is always right” & “I must work harder” -gives his all; betrayed by Nap. Dedicated, but tricked Communist supporters -believed Stalin b/c he was “Communist” -many stayed loyal after it was obvious he was a tyrant -betrayed by Stalin who ignored and killed them Napoleon -not a good speaker, or as smart as Snowball -cruel, selfish and corrupt -killed opponents -used dogs, Moses and Squealer to control Animals Stalin -not a good speaker or educated as Trotsky -used KGB, church and propaganda to control Squealer -convinces animals to believe and follow Nap. -manipulates commandments Propaganda -lies to convince people to follow Stalin

Allegorical Characters in Animal Farm (cont.) Snowball -young, smart, good speaker, idealistic -wants better life for all -leader of revolution -chased into exile Leon Trotsky -leader of October revolution -pure communist -wanted better life for all -chased away by Lenin’s KGB Moses -tells about “Sugar Candy Mtn” (Heaven) -Napoleon let him stay b/c he taught animals to work hard and not complain Religion -tolerated b/c it made people work and not complain -Stalin knew it would stop violent revolutions Benjamin -suspicious of revolution; thinks nothing ever changes Skeptics -know communism wouldn’t work w/ power hungry leaders Mollie -loved self and beauty and went with anyone who gave her what she wanted Vain/ Selfish people -didn’t care about revolution; went to other countries that offered more

Can you figure out the allegory for these??? Pigeons Windmill Muriel Dogs The Knacker Harvest Pigs (they are the Bolsheviks, but what do they stand for?)