The Quick and Easy Historical Context for:

It’s a Genre: Type of Literature Theme: the main idea of the novel, usually expressed in one sentence Setting: the time and place of the action of the novel Plot: the events in the novel Point of View: Personal, Objective, Omniscient Conflict: the struggles in a novel

Characters: the personalities in a novel Developing Character (Round): a character who changes in some way during the course of the story; usually a major character who has several sides or traits to his personality Static Character (Flat): a character (usually a minor character) who does not change during the story; this kind off character generally has only one or two personality traits. Protagonist: a character who is trying to achieve some goal (usually the main character) Antagonist: a character who is trying to stop the protagonist

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Real Name: Eric Blair British Political Novelist Born: To English parents in India

After his father retired, Eric and his family moved back to England.

He was sent to boarding school at the age of eight to prepare for Eton, an exclusive prep school. Because he had a scholarship, he was teased and humiliated frequently.

At eighteen, he passed the Empire’s Civil Service Exam and became a police officer in Burma.

Returned in Europe

Socialist: someone who believes that the government should own businesses so that everyone will be equal

Most fables have two levels of meaning. On the surface, the fable is about animals. But on a second level, the animals stand for types of people or ideas. The way the animals interact and the way the plot unfolds says something about the nature of people or the value of ideas. Any type of fiction that has multiple levels of meaning in this way is called an allegory.

A composition making fun of something, usually political. Animal Farm makes fun of political society after the Bolshevik Revolution.

Standard: ELA10RL3 The student deepens understanding of literary works by relating them to it’s historical background.

Russian society in the early twentieth century had two social classes: a tiny minority (bourgeoisie) controlled the country’s wealth. The working class was called the proletariat.

Vladimir Lenin: Led the Bolsheviks (a Russian political group) in the Russian Revolution in What up, I’m Vladimir Lenin. Real Talk.

Before Trotsky and Stalin By 1917, the bond between the Russian tsar (Nicholas II) and most of the Russian people had been broken. Government corruption was evident to everyone. By 1917, the bond between the Russian tsar (Nicholas II) and most of the Russian people had been broken. Government corruption was evident to everyone. Riots because of the scarcity of food broke out in the capital, Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) on March 12, Riots because of the scarcity of food broke out in the capital, Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) on March 12, Russian tsar Nicholas II was forced out of power. A new Provisional Government was formed. Nicholas II was killed the next year. Russian tsar Nicholas II was forced out of power. A new Provisional Government was formed. Nicholas II was killed the next year. A bigger, Soviet government proved it had greater authority than the Provisional Government and issued it’s famous “Order No. 1” which directed the soldiers to obey only the orders of the Soviets, not those of the Provisional Government. A bigger, Soviet government proved it had greater authority than the Provisional Government and issued it’s famous “Order No. 1” which directed the soldiers to obey only the orders of the Soviets, not those of the Provisional Government. On November Vladimir Lenin led a group of Bolshevik soldiers into Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). Lenin and the Bolsheviks took the city with little resistance. On November Vladimir Lenin led a group of Bolshevik soldiers into Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). Lenin and the Bolsheviks took the city with little resistance. The Bolshevik uprising led to the Russian Civil War ( ). The Bolshevik uprising led to the Russian Civil War ( ). Eventually, Lenin came to power in Russia. Eventually, Lenin came to power in Russia.

Petrograd (St. Petersburg) Riots 1917 Our Russian leaders are corrupt! We’re hungry! Let’s storm the capitol! Hey big man, lemme hold a dollar

Petrograd (St. Petersburg) Riots 1917 We want food! Hrmph, food, hungry. Yes, agreed, food. We're hungry and we have guns. Like a boss.

Nikki the II representing Russia to the fullest.

Like a boss

Lenin had two allies who would likely take power after his time: Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky. Lenin had two allies who would likely take power after his time: Joseph Stalin and Leon Trotsky. Before Lenin died in 1924, he called for the removal of Joseph Stalin. Before Lenin died in 1924, he called for the removal of Joseph Stalin. Lenin’s body is still on display in Moscow, Russia and recent debate has called for it’s burial in Lenin’s body is still on display in Moscow, Russia and recent debate has called for it’s burial in 2008.

Trotsky and Stalin After Lenin’s death in 1924, Trotsky and Stalin competed for power. After Lenin’s death in 1924, Trotsky and Stalin competed for power. In an effort to show loyalty to Lenin, Stalin organized his funeral and made a speech professing undying loyalty to Lenin. In an effort to show loyalty to Lenin, Stalin organized his funeral and made a speech professing undying loyalty to Lenin. Trotsky lost political ground to Stalin because he was ill during the time of the funeral. Trotsky lost political ground to Stalin because he was ill during the time of the funeral. Stalin made a big deal of Trotsky joining the Bolsheviks just before the October Revolution. Stalin made a big deal of Trotsky joining the Bolsheviks just before the October Revolution. Trotsky was expelled from Russia in 1928, he fled to Mexico in 1937 and was later killed by one of Stalin’s spies in Trotsky was expelled from Russia in 1928, he fled to Mexico in 1937 and was later killed by one of Stalin’s spies in 1940.

Me want control! Me want control too!

Leon Trotsky Joseph Stalin Leon Trotsky Joseph Stalin Yo dude, I'm sick, I won't make it to the funeral this weekend. He he he Don't worry Trotsky, it's just a funeral he he he muha muha hahaa

That guy Trotsky be flexin’

I wonder have those spies found and killed Trotsky yet? Boy, I'm dead.

Stalin’s Socialism Stalin came to power in 1929 and pursued his policy of “socialism in one country.” Stalin came to power in 1929 and pursued his policy of “socialism in one country.” The term “socialism” is often used to refer to an economic system characterized by STATE ownership of the means of production and distribution. The term “socialism” is often used to refer to an economic system characterized by STATE ownership of the means of production and distribution. The United States is a capitalistic economic system. Individuals and business owners control the means of production and distribution, not the government (as in socialism/communism). The United States is a capitalistic economic system. Individuals and business owners control the means of production and distribution, not the government (as in socialism/communism). Stalin began to “purge” all those who opposed him, including Bolsheviks. To “purge” meant to imprison, torture and even kill. Stalin began to “purge” all those who opposed him, including Bolsheviks. To “purge” meant to imprison, torture and even kill. Between Stalin was responsible for over 10 million deaths. Between Stalin was responsible for over 10 million deaths.

Joseph Stalin Stalin’s first wife, Ekaterina Svanidze, died in 1907, only four years after their marriage. Stalin’s first wife, Ekaterina Svanidze, died in 1907, only four years after their marriage. Stalin’s first son shot himself because of Stalin’s harshness toward him, but survived. Afterward Stalin said, “He can’t even shoot straight.” Stalin’s first son shot himself because of Stalin’s harshness toward him, but survived. Afterward Stalin said, “He can’t even shoot straight.” His son was captured by the Germans in WWI. They offered to exchange him for one of their Generals. Stalin replied, “A Captain is not worth a General.” His son was captured by the Germans in WWI. They offered to exchange him for one of their Generals. Stalin replied, “A Captain is not worth a General.” Stalin’s second wife is said to have shot herself after a fight with him. Stalin’s second wife is said to have shot herself after a fight with him. Stalin did not attend his own mother’s funeral in Stalin did not attend his own mother’s funeral in While in power Stalin created a “cult of personality” around himself. Numerous towns, villages and cities were renamed after Stalin. While in power Stalin created a “cult of personality” around himself. Numerous towns, villages and cities were renamed after Stalin. Statues and monuments erected to glorify Stalin distorted his true build. The monuments suggested Stalin was tall and imposing although in reality, he stood no taller than 5”6. Statues and monuments erected to glorify Stalin distorted his true build. The monuments suggested Stalin was tall and imposing although in reality, he stood no taller than 5”6. Stalin died of a brain hemorrhage (although some suspect he was poisoned) in 1953 at the age of 74. Stalin died of a brain hemorrhage (although some suspect he was poisoned) in 1953 at the age of 74. He he he...I'm very mean.

Communism arose in Russia when the nation’s workers & peasants rebelled against and overwhelmed the wealthy and powerful class of capitalists & aristocrats.

Re-Cap Lenin led the Bolsheviks to overthrow the Russian Government and create one of their own. Lenin led the Bolsheviks to overthrow the Russian Government and create one of their own. When Lenin died there were two men who could possible take over: Trotsky and Stalin. When Lenin died there were two men who could possible take over: Trotsky and Stalin. Stalin took over and created a socialist cult of personality around himself: anyone in Russia who opposed him would be tortured or killed. Stalin took over and created a socialist cult of personality around himself: anyone in Russia who opposed him would be tortured or killed.

Animal Farm is an allegory about the Russian Revolution.

Farmer Jones A drunk and a poor farmer, his cruelty towards the farm animals inspires their rebellion.

Snowball A clever pig with a head for ideas, he becomes one of the main leaders of Animal Farm and the author of its central commandments.

Napoleon A pig with a gift for techniques of control, he establishes most of the farm’s rules and eventually becomes its sole leader.

Old Major An elderly show pig whose instruction to the animals about "animalism" becomes the philosophical basis for the creation of Animal Farm.

Squealer A pig with the ability to make any idea sound reasonable, he is Napoleon's side-kick and is in charge of communicating to the animals.

Boxer A strong and hard-working carthorse, he shows tremendous faith in the rebellion and its leaders.