Opening Question In your notebook, take a few minutes to discuss why you think revolutions occur? What circumstances would lead people to overthrow the daily political and economical structure of their lives?

George Orwell and Animal Farm Orwell viewed socialism, communism as repressive and self-serving Always questioned big government Finally published in 1945 Satire: demonstrating serious issue in a ridiculous, often darkly funny way

Main Allegorical Characters Karl Marx (Old Major)-wanted to create a classless society-everyone equal (inspiration for Russian revolt) Leon Trotsky (Snowball)—the Revolutionist who battled Stalin after Lenin’s death Joseph Stalin (Napoleon)—the Communist who won the battle for the leader of the Soviet Union. Deported Trotsky into permanent exile

Literary Terms for AF Define the following using your lit book – For each term, write one example from something we have read this semester (or from everyday life). Fable Allegory Propaganda Satire Theme Motif Symbol Anecdote

Chapters I-II 1. The novel opens with a remarkable scene. A big old pig is waiting for Manor Farm’s animals to assemble in the barn. According to old Major, why is Man the enemy of the animals? What does Major urge the animals to do? 2. In Chapter II, what objections do some of the animals raise to the principles of Animalism? 3. Describe the events leading up to the Rebellion at Manor Farm. 4. Orwell’s animals are immediately humanized. How would you describe the characters of old Major, Clover, Boxer, Benjamin, and Mollie? 5. How are Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer characterized? What traits set them apart from the other animals? Which of old Major’s warnings seems particularly important to keep in mind? 6. Why is the promise of Sugarcandy Mountain a threat to the Rebellion and to the principles of Animalism? How is Mollie’s behavior also a threat?

Fables A fable is a story that features animals with human characteristics, and the story teaches a moral lesson. Ex. Tortoise and the Hare 3 Little Pigs Finding Nemo

Allegory Allegory is when characters in a piece of literature stand for/represent something or someone else, story written on more than one level (extended metaphor). Ex. Characters in Animal Farm represent real players in the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Propaganda Plain Folks—often used with simplified words and recognizes the struggles of the “common” man Appeal to basic needs/desires—food, shelter, fairness, freedom, dignity Appeal to fear—plays on the idea that if you don’t comply with the power, something horrible will happen

Themes 1.Power Corrupts: In the novel, the more power Napoleon gets, the more he wants. 2.Violence against human ideals, language, logic: 3.Society’s tendency towards systems of class: 4.Danger of the Naïve working class:

Motifs Songs, poems, and slogans as propaganda: ex. “Beasts of England” State rituals: (parades, awards) in AF?

Symbols Animal Farm: society and its internal structure (ex. Pigs=government, dogs=police) The Barn: The Windmill:

Anecdote Boy whipping horse anecdote by Orwell –“I saw a little boy, perhaps ten years old, driving a huge carthorse along a narrow path, whipping it whenever it tried to turn. It struck me that if only such animals became aware of their strength we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same ways as the rich exploit the [worker].”

Chapter 3-4 Questions 1.During the 1 st summer after the rebellion, why are the animals so happy? Id ways their lives have improved. 2.List 4 inequalities that are noticeable amongst the animals. 3.How do Snowball and Napoleon differ in their re- educating the animals? 4.Describe the conflict over power that is taking place between Snowball and Napoleon. Who are you rooting for and why? 5.What human ceremonies mark the animals’ victory celebration? 6.Think of 3 possible ways the story may end.

Theme Power Corrupts: In the novel, the more power Napoleon gets, the more he wants. Violence against human ideals, language, logic: In the novel, the Seven Commandments are changed to fit the needs/desires of the leader Society’s tendency towards systems of class: In the novel, regardless of Old Major’s intentions (total equality), the tendency is to establish and maintain a system of social class Danger of the Naïve working class: The novel looks at the loyal, hard-working, common animals as a whole and how Napoleon controls them through propaganda and withholding information

Motifs State ritual: parades, awards. The working class begins to rely on the power to define their identity, worth, and values Symbols Animal Farm: society and its internal structure (ex. Pigs=government, dogs=police) The Barn: (The White House) Paint the 7 Commandments here—the collective memory of a nation can be altered by power The Windmill: the manipulation of the working class for the benefit of the owning class