Animal Farm by George Orwell

George Orwell = Pen Name…born Eric Blair, 1903-1950 Idealist…gave up family wealth to be a journalist. Supported revolution in Spain…shot in neck. Disillusioned by corruption and results of rebellions in Spain & Russia. Bitter towards communist policy & totalitarianism. Animal Farm, 1945…very popular…first edition sold out in one month.

Novel A long fictional story, somewhere between 100-500 pages, using all the elements of storytelling: plot, setting, character, theme, point of view, foreshadowing, irony, etc.

A “little novel”…about 50 pages. Novella A “little novel”…about 50 pages.

Totalitarianism A kind of dictatorship where one political party has total control and all opposition is ruthlessly suppressed.

Fable A humorous story in which animals speak and act like humans in order to expose some human weakness.

Allegory: A story that can be read on 2 levels. 1. Animal Farm can be read as a funny fable about animals who rebel against their owner and take over a farm in England, only to allow corruption to ruin it. 2. Animal Farm can be read as an allegory of the Russian Revolution of 1917 with animals representing characters from Russian history.

Satire A form of literature that uses ridicule to make fun of people or events in order to bring about change.

Irony Situational: We realize there is a difference between what we expect to happen and what really happens. Dramatic: We know something the characters do not know…what is stated on the page is different from what is meant.

Themes Freedom and individual dignity must be guarded very carefully. Language is a powerful tool; used improperly, it can enslave and confuse us. Weakness can be dominated by strength, fear, and trickery. Hope and vision must be kept alive, or they will be lost.

Characters = Russian Revolution Animal Farm Characters = Russian Revolution

Farmer Jones = Czar Nicholas II Czar Nicholas II was a selfish, cruel leader, and was overthrown by the people…Communism. Farmer Jones was a cruel, drunken farmer, and was overthrown by the animals…Animalism.

Old Major = Karl Marx Invented animalism/communism Incited rebellion Died before the revolution All animals are equal

Boxer (the horse) = loyal, hard working supporters of revolution Boxer unwittingly supported the corrupt government of the pigs through hard work and his two maxims: “I must work harder.” “Napoleon is always right.”

Benjamin (the donkey) = the stubborn Benjamin (the donkey) = the stubborn people who did not support the revolution and felt nothing would ever be better or worse. Benjamin was loyal to boxer. “Donkeys live a long time.” Smart…knows what is going on, but won’t talk about it.

Moses = The Church (religion) Pigs exile Moses when they want animals to work hard and rebell. Pigs allow him back when they want animals happy. Promises of Sugar-Candy Mountain = Heaven

Pigs Original leaders of rebellion/revolution. Let greed and corruption ruin vision. Dominated other animals with fear and trickery. Very smart.

Napoleon = Joseph Stalin An original leader of rebellion. Became a dictator. Ruled with absolute power and cruelty. Greedy and selfish. Killed or exiled any opposition.

Snowball = Leon Trotsky An original leader of rebellion. Stuck to the beliefs of Marx. Constantly disagreed with Napoleon. Wanted good life for all animals/Russians.

Squealer = Propaganda Network Squealer is propaganda. He adds words to the commandments. He convinces the animals that their memories fail. He uses fear of Jones. He uses fake statistics.

Sheep = blind followers of rebellion Sheep represent those with blind loyalty to the rebellion and communism. They shout down those who try to speak or ask questions. “Four legs good; two legs bad.”

Dogs = KGB (secret police) Work for the pigs Loyal to Napoleon Intimidate the animals by growling & barking Executioners