Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Animal Farm as Allegory: Historical Parallels
Characters and Events in the Novel as Symbols
2
Animalism = Communism Animalism Communism Taught by Old Major
No rich, but no poor Better life for workers All animals are equal Everyone owns the farm Invented by Karl Marx All people are equal Government owns everything People own the government
3
This side is helpful if you didn’t complete your character log…
Write this name in the right column This name is on your chart already Farmer Jones = Czar Nicholas II Mr. Jones Nicholas II This side is helpful if you didn’t complete your character log… Irresponsible owner of the farm Lets his animals starve and beast them with a whip Sometimes shows random kindness Weak Russian leader during the early 1900s Often cruel and brutal to his subjects Displays isolated kindness This is what should go in the description column – summarize!
4
= Karl Marx/Vladimir Lenin
Old Major = Karl Marx/Vladimir Lenin Old Major Karl Marx Old boar whose speech about evils of humans rouses the animals into rebelling Philosophy on the tyranny of man = Animalism Teaches the animals the song “Beasts of England” Dies before revolution Inventor of Marxism – basis for communism Wanted to unite the working class to overthrow gov’t Died before Russian Revolution Lenin originally took over after the Revolution. He died in 1924, after which Trotsky and Stalin struggled for power
5
Napoleon = Joseph Stalin Napoleon Stalin
Notable names: The real Napoleon was the “arch-villain” in pre-WWII Europe! Napoleon = Joseph Stalin Napoleon Stalin Boar who leads the rebellion against farmer Jones After rebellion’s success, he systematically begins to control all aspects of the farm until he is an undisputed tyrant Went from Russian “savior” in revolution to Communist dictator of the Soviet Union Killed all who opposed him Loved power – used the KGB (secret police) to enforce his ruthless, corrupt antics
6
The first revolt = March 1917 uprising Animal Revolt Russian Uprising
“With on accord, although nothing of the kind had been planned beforehand, they flung themselves on their tormentors” because Jones had stopped feeding the animals All 3 pigs are leading, but none in charge Follow Major’s commandments Unplanned, unled, spontaneous revolution Resulted in first/only and BRIEF democratic regime in Russia
7
Snowball = Leon Trotsky Snowball Trotksy
Notable names: Snow is a symbol of purity Snowball = Leon Trotsky Snowball Trotksy Boar who becomes one of the rebellions most valuable leaders After drawing complicated plans for the windmill, he is chased off the farm by Napoleon’s dogs Used as a scapegoat for the animals’ troubles Pure intentioned communist leader who was influenced by the teachings of Karl Marx Wanted to improve life for people in Russia, but was driven away by Stalin’s KGB
8
= Pravda (Russian news)
Notable names: To “squeal” = to make a lot of convincing noise = Pravda (Russian news) Squealer Squealer Pravda Big-mouth pig who becomes Napoleon’s mouthpiece Manipulates the animals through hollow, yet convincing rhetoric (language) Russia’s official news organ Name means “truth!” = irony Used by Stalin as propaganda – they would “spin” the info to convince people to follow Stalin Vyacheslay Molotov: Stalin’s protégé in the communist goverment
9
= the Proletariat (working class)
Notable names: the Boxer Rebellion was the start of communism in China Boxer = the Proletariat (working class) Boxer Proletariat Hardest worker on the farm, a horse who gives everything he has to fight for the survival of the farm Dedicated, but dimwitted (follow blindly) Motto: “I will work harder!” The “workhorse” of Russia Many hard-working Russian people blindly believed in the Revolution and gave their all to it Not enough education or information to understand the decisions their leaders were making Many stayed loyal even after it was obvious that Stalin was a tyrant Many people betrayed, neglected, even put to death
10
= Russian Orthodox Church
Notable names: Moses is the name of a Biblical figure = Russian Orthodox Church Moses Moses Church Tame raven/pet of the Joneses who tells the animals stories about a paradise called Sugarcandy Mountain “spy” and “tale-bearer” as well as a clever talker Black-robed priests Used religious principles to influence people to work and avoid revolt Rasputin: mysterious monk who was the “special pet” of Czarina Alexandra
11
Minor Characters Mollie Opportunists People who played both sides
Made sure not to really do anything for either side Skeptics Some people weren’t sure revolution would change anything in Russia KGB/Secret Police/Red Army Stalin's loyal, personal army Mercenaries used to force support for Stalin Bourgeoisie Higher class members of Russian society Mainly concerned with comfort/luxury Many sought residence in more inviting countries Mollie Resists the rebellion because she doesn’t want to give up the treats she receives from humans The 9 Dogs Napoleon’s private army Force the animals to work and kill any opponent The Cat Votes on both sides (on whether to revolt) Manages to avoid doing any work and talk his way out of it Benjamin Most cynical of the animals Doubts the leadership of the pigs, but is faithfully devoted to Boxer
12
= Bolshevik Revolution
The Battle of Cowshed = Bolshevik Revolution Battle of Cowshed Bolshevik Revolution Animals know humans are coming – plan a formalized strategy and defeat them Pigs take over the “work of teaching and organizing” the other animals Napoleon and Snowball clash over ideas Planned revolution led by Bolshevik/Communist leader Vladimir Lenin A dedicated, professional (intelligent, educated) group should lead people Lenin dies shortly after Communist party is established Stalin and Trotsky struggle for power
13
Mr. Frederick = Hitler/Nazi Party Frederick Hitler
owns the neighboring farm of Pinchfield Napoleon promises lumber to Pilkington, then decides to sell it to Frederick, instead. Frederick tricks him: "The bank- notes were forgeries! Frederick had got the timber for nothing!" Entered a neutrality pact with Stalin (will not get involved) Profited from their brief alliance Later broke it by invading
14
= Westerners/ George Bernard Shaw
Mr. Whymper = Westerners/ George Bernard Shaw Whymper Gullible Westerners acts as "an intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world“ He’s in it for the money! Napoleon pays him to broker deals with other humans catered to Soviet interests and helped spread the Soviet myth for personal profit—or just because they were gullible. Shaw: Irish author/playwright who, after meeting Stalin, used his writing to spread the ideas of and win support for Communism
15
Minimus = Maxim Gorky Minimus Gorky
Writes the new Animal Farm anthem, which replaces Beasts of England Composes the poem “Comrade Napoleon” that praises Nap. generously Spent time as a political exile and was initially an open critic of Lenin and the Bolsheviks Later asked to write Stalin’s biography and declined, but agreed to write in support of some of his policies (in return for Stalin letting him help persecuted writers escape Russia)
16
Pigeons = Comintern The Pigeons The Communist International
Snowball and Nap. Sent out the flocks daily to spread Beasts of England and word of their freedom to other farms Many animals start singing it and acting out against humans international communist organization that advocated world communism Attempted to establish control over other left-wing parties by sending agents to bolster certain factions Involved with rebellions across Europe following the Russian Revolution
17
Piglets = Communist Party Napoleon’s Piglets
Bureaucrats, intellectuals, and athletes Napoleon’s 31( !!) privileged offspring Attend school and get to spend the rest of the time “exercising” (…playing…) in the garden, separate from others Later wear ribbons and others must “stand aside” to let them pass Under Stalin, a new class of privileged communists arose Proved that idea of equality and no separation (of classes) would never achieve its goal
18
= The Great Purge The Confessions and Executions
Napoleon intimidates a number of pigs and hens into confessing to crimes that are either very minor or they didn’t commit The dogs execute them violently, leaving “a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon’s feet” large-scale purge of Communist Party and gov’t officials, repression of peasants and the Red Army leadership = Stalin getting rid of people who opposed him Hundreds of thousands of victims were accused of various political crimes and quickly executed by shooting or sent to labor camps.
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com Inc.
All rights reserved.