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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.

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.

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

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

Farmer Jones = Czar Nicholas II Farmer Jones –The irresponsible owner of the farm –Lets his animals starve and beats them with a whip –Sometimes shows random kindness Czar Nicholas II –Weak Russian leader during the early 1900s –Often cruel and brutal to his subjects –Displays isolated kindess

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.

Snowball = Leon Trotsky Snowball –Boar who becomes one of the rebellion’s most valuable leaders. –After drawing complicated plans for the construction of a windmill, he is chased off of the farm forever by Napoleon’s dogs and thereafter used as a scapegoat for the animals’ troubles. Leon Trotsky –A pure communist leader who was influenced by the teachings of Karl Marx. –He wanted to improve life for people in Russia, but was driven away by Lenin’s KGB.

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

Napoleon = Joseph Stalin Napoleon –Boar who leads the rebellion against Farmer Jones –After the rebellion’s success, he systematically begins to control all aspects of the farm until he is an undisputed tyrant. Joseph Stalin –The communist dictator of the Soviet Union from who killed all who opposed him. – He loved power and used the KGB (secret police) to enforce his ruthless, corrupt antics.

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

Characters Old Major –An old boar whose speech about the evils perpetrated by humans rouses the animals into rebelling. –His philosophy concerning the tyranny of Man is named Animalism. –He teaches the animals the song “Beasts of England” –Dies before revolution Karl Marx –The inventor of communism –Wants to unite the working class to overthrow the government. –Dies before the Russian Revolution

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.

Squealer vs. Propaganda Dept. of Stalin’s Government Squealer Big mouth, talks a lot Convinces animals to believe and follow Napoleon Changes and manipulates the commandments Propaganda Department Worked for Stalin to support his image Used any lie to convince the people to follow Stalin Benefited from the fact that education was controlled

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

Boxer vs. Dedicated, but Tricked, Communist Supporters Boxer Strong, hard-working horse – believes in Animal Farm “Napoleon is always right”, “I must work harder” Gives his all, is betrayed by Napoleon Dedicated, but Tricked Supporters People believed Stalin b/c he was “Communist” Many stayed loyal after it was obvious Stalin was a tyrant Betrayed by Stalin who ignored and killed them

The Dogs vs. KGB (Secret Police) The Dogs A private army that used fear to force animals to work Killed or intimidated any opponent of Napoleon Another part of Napoleon’s strategy to control animals KGB (Secret Police) Not really police but forced support for Stalin Used force, often killed entire families for disobedience Totally loyal, part of Stalin’s power, even over army

Moses the Raven vs. Religion Moses the Raven Tells animals about SugarCandy mountain Animals can go there if they work hard Snowball and Major were against him They thought Heaven was a lie to make animals work Napoleon let him stay b/c he taught animals to work and not complain Religion Marx said, “Opiate of the people” – A LIE! Used to make people not complain and do their work Religion was tolerated b/c people would work Stalin knew religion would stop violent revolutions

Mollie the Mare vs. Vain, selfish people in Russia and world Mollie the Mare Was vain – loved her beauty and self Didn’t think about the Animal Farm Went with anyone who gave her what she wanted Vain, selfish Russian people Some people didn’t care about revolution Only thought about themselves Went to other countries that offered more for them

Benjamin vs. Skeptical people in and outside of Russia Benjamin Old, wise donkey who is suspicious of revolution Thinks “nothing ever changes” – is RIGHT! His suspicions are true about Boxer and sign changes Skeptical people Weren’t sure revolution would change anything Realized that a crazy leader can call himself “communist” Knew that Communism wouldn’t work with hungry leaders

Animalism = Communism Animalism –Taught by Old Major –No rich, but no poor –Better life for workers –All animals are equal –Everyone owns the farm Communism –Invented by Karl Marx –All people are equal –Government owns everything –People own the government

Animal Farm Revolution = Russian Revolution Animal Farm Revolution –Was supposed to make life better for all, but... Life was worse at the end. The leaders became the same as, or worse than the other farmers (humans) they rebelled against. Russian Revolution –Was supposed to fix the problems created by the Czar, but... Life was even worse after the revolution. Stalin made the Czar look like a nice guy.

More Characters Pilkington Jones' neighbor, he finds a way to profit from Animal Farm by forming an alliance with the pigs. Muriel A goat who believes in the rebellion, she watches as Animal Farm slips away from its founding principles. The Sheep Not tremendously clever, the sheep remind themselves of the principles of animalism by chanting "four legs good, two legs bad."

Characters and Their Historical Correlation Muriel: Goat, helps convey the rules/7 commandments Mr. Jones: Manor Farm, Tsar Nicholas II Mr. Frederick: Pinchfield Farm, Hitler/Nazi Germany Mr. Pilkington: Foxwood Farm, Capitalist England/U.S.A. Mr. Whymper: Human Solicitor, ties humans and animals together Jessie and Bluebell/Pups: Dogs, Stalin ’ s brute force-rep. of Hitler ’ s brainwashed society Minimus: Poet Pig, Manipulator of History (Songs)