Animal Farm

Animal Animal FarmFarm

By George OrwellBy George Orwell

“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

Allegory - Satire - Fable

January 3, 2014

Key WordsKey Words

Dystopia Fable Irony Satire Allegory Communis

m Propaganda

UEQ: UEQ: How can an author’s use of allegory promote social change?

LEQ: How does LEQ: How does George Orwell George Orwell structure structure chapter 1 to lay chapter 1 to lay the foundation the foundation for allegorical for allegorical meaning?meaning?

Introduction of:Introduction of: SettingSetting Plot: ExpositionPlot: Exposition CharactersCharacters conflictconflict

Bellringer Activity: Finding Bellringer Activity: Finding Meaning in a FableMeaning in a Fable

Read the short Read the short fable from fable from Aesop’s fables.Aesop’s fables.

With your With your learning team, learning team, decide what decide what your fable your fable means or what means or what “life insight” it “life insight” it teaches. teaches.

The Bundle of Sticks : An old man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered his servants to bring in a bundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son: "Break it." The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the Bundle. The other sons also tried, but none of them was successful. "Untie the sticks," said the father, "and each of you take a stick." When they had done so, he called out to them: "Now, break," and each stick was easily broken. "You see my meaning," said their father.

Meaning: There is strength in unity.

Who is George Orwell and Who is George Orwell and what was the purpose of his what was the purpose of his

fable, fable, Animal FarmAnimal Farm??

Fable: a simple Fable: a simple fictional story fictional story (often with (often with animal animal characters) that characters) that teaches a life teaches a life insightinsight

Allegory: a story Allegory: a story with more than with more than one level of one level of meaning; meaning; symbolic meaning symbolic meaning teaches insightsteaches insights

Activity 1: Meet George Activity 1: Meet George Orwell; informational focusOrwell; informational focus

Directions: Read Directions: Read the biographical the biographical information information about George about George Orwell.Orwell.

Using the Using the Biographical Biographical data in the data in the information information sheet, answer sheet, answer the questions on the questions on the student the student worksheet.worksheet.

19841984 The novel, published in The novel, published in

1949, takes place in 1984 1949, takes place in 1984 and presents an and presents an imaginary future where a imaginary future where a totalitarian state controls totalitarian state controls every aspect of life, even every aspect of life, even people's thoughts. The people's thoughts. The state is called Oceania state is called Oceania and is ruled by a group and is ruled by a group known as the Party; its known as the Party; its leader and dictator is Big leader and dictator is Big Brother.Brother.

Ticket out of the DoorTicket out of the Door

Write 3 facts Write 3 facts that you’ve that you’ve learned about learned about George Orwell. George Orwell.

George Orwell and His BeliefsGeorge Orwell and His Beliefs Orwell was a person who had a reputation for standing Orwell was a person who had a reputation for standing

apart and even making a virtue of his detachment.apart and even making a virtue of his detachment. This “outsider” position often led him to oppose the This “outsider” position often led him to oppose the

crowd.crowd. Orwell’s beliefs about politics were affected by his Orwell’s beliefs about politics were affected by his

experiences fighting in the Spanish Civil War.experiences fighting in the Spanish Civil War. He viewed socialists, communists, and fascists as He viewed socialists, communists, and fascists as

repressive and self-serving.repressive and self-serving. He was skeptical of governments and their willingness He was skeptical of governments and their willingness

to forsake ideas in favor of power.to forsake ideas in favor of power.

Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: George Orwell’s real name was Eric Blair.George Orwell’s real name was Eric Blair.

George Orwell in George Orwell in IndiaIndia He was born in India He was born in India

and spent his early and spent his early years there since his years there since his father held a post there. father held a post there. He was a lonely boy who He was a lonely boy who

liked to make up stories liked to make up stories and talk with imaginary and talk with imaginary companions.companions.

As an adult, he worked As an adult, he worked for the Imperial Police in for the Imperial Police in British occupied India.British occupied India.

Why Animals?Why Animals? In explaining how he came to write In explaining how he came to write Animal Animal

FarmFarm, Orwell says he once saw a little boy , Orwell says he once saw a little boy whipping a horse and later he wrote, whipping a horse and later he wrote, ““It struck me that if only such animals became It struck me that if only such animals became

aware of their strength we should have no power aware of their strength we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as the rich exploit the [worker].”the same way as the rich exploit the [worker].”

Animal Animal FarmFarm

By George OrwellBy George Orwell

“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

Allegory - Satire - Fable

January 6, 2014 Monday

UEQ: UEQ: How can an author’s use of allegory promote social change?

LEQ: How does LEQ: How does George Orwell George Orwell structure structure chapter 1 to lay chapter 1 to lay the foundation the foundation for allegorical for allegorical meaning?meaning?

Introduction of:Introduction of: SettingSetting Plot: ExpositionPlot: Exposition CharactersCharacters conflictconflict

Bellringer: Aesop’s FablesBellringer: Aesop’s Fables

Read along as Read along as we read the we read the fable aloud in fable aloud in class.class.

With your With your learning team, learning team, try to decode try to decode the meaning of the meaning of the fable. the fable.

The Boy and the Filberts A BOY put his hand into a pitcher full of filberts. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull out his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the pitcher. Unwilling to lose his filberts, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented his disappointment. A bystander said to him, "Be satisfied with half the quantity, and you will readily draw out your hand."

Moral: Do not attempt too much at once or do not be too greedy.

Activity #1: Review George Activity #1: Review George OrwellOrwell

What influences in his life developed his social consciousness that lead to him writing a fable/allegory as a social commentary?

His work as an Imperial policeman in India in 1922, and witnessed the subjugation of the native people and the accompanying injustice.

George OrwellGeorge OrwellBritish Author & JournalistBritish Author & Journalist

1903-19501903-1950 Born in IndiaBorn in India

At that time India was a part of the British At that time India was a part of the British Empire, and Blair's father, Richard, held a Empire, and Blair's father, Richard, held a post as an agent in the Opium Department post as an agent in the Opium Department of the Indian Civil Service. of the Indian Civil Service.

The Blair family was not very wealthy - The Blair family was not very wealthy - Orwell later described them ironically as Orwell later described them ironically as "lower-upper-middle class". They owned "lower-upper-middle class". They owned no property, had no extensive no property, had no extensive investments; they were like many middle-investments; they were like many middle-class English families of the time, totally class English families of the time, totally dependent on the British Empire for their dependent on the British Empire for their livelihood and prospects. livelihood and prospects.

Noted as a novelist and critic, as well as Noted as a novelist and critic, as well as a political and cultural commentatora political and cultural commentator

One of the most widely admired English-One of the most widely admired English-language essayists of the 20th centurylanguage essayists of the 20th century

Best known for two novels critical of Best known for two novels critical of totalitarianism in general, and Stalinism totalitarianism in general, and Stalinism in particular:in particular:

Animal FarmAnimal Farm Nineteen Eighty-FourNineteen Eighty-Four

“Liberty is telling people what they do not want to hear.”

19841984 The novel, published in The novel, published in

1949, takes place in 1984 1949, takes place in 1984 and presents an and presents an imaginary future where a imaginary future where a totalitarian state controls totalitarian state controls every aspect of life, even every aspect of life, even people's thoughts. The people's thoughts. The state is called Oceania state is called Oceania and is ruled by a group and is ruled by a group known as the Party; its known as the Party; its leader and dictator is Big leader and dictator is Big Brother.Brother.

George Orwell and His BeliefsGeorge Orwell and His Beliefs Orwell was a person who had a reputation for standing Orwell was a person who had a reputation for standing

apart and even making a virtue of his detachment.apart and even making a virtue of his detachment. This “outsider” position often led him to oppose the This “outsider” position often led him to oppose the

crowd.crowd. Orwell’s beliefs about politics were affected by his Orwell’s beliefs about politics were affected by his

experiences fighting in the Spanish Civil War.experiences fighting in the Spanish Civil War. He viewed socialists, communists, and fascists as He viewed socialists, communists, and fascists as

repressive and self-serving.repressive and self-serving. He was skeptical of governments and their willingness He was skeptical of governments and their willingness

to forsake ideas in favor of power.to forsake ideas in favor of power.Interesting Fact: Interesting Fact: George Orwell’s real name was Eric Blair.George Orwell’s real name was Eric Blair.

Question: According to the non-fiction biographical essay we read, why did he change his name to George Orwell?

Why Animals?Why Animals? In explaining how he came to write In explaining how he came to write Animal Animal

FarmFarm, Orwell says he once saw a little boy , Orwell says he once saw a little boy whipping a horse and later he wrote, whipping a horse and later he wrote, ““It struck me that if only such animals became It struck me that if only such animals became

aware of their strength we should have no power aware of their strength we should have no power over them, and that men exploit animals in much over them, and that men exploit animals in much the same way as the rich exploit the [worker].”the same way as the rich exploit the [worker].”

The FableThe Fable The fable is one of the oldest The fable is one of the oldest

literary forms - much, much literary forms - much, much older than the novel or the short older than the novel or the short story. A fable is usually short, story. A fable is usually short, written in either verse or prose, written in either verse or prose, and conveys a clear moral or and conveys a clear moral or message. The earliest fables still message. The earliest fables still preserved date back to 6th preserved date back to 6th Century Greece B.C.E. The Century Greece B.C.E. The author of these fables, Aesop, author of these fables, Aesop, used animal characters to stand used animal characters to stand for human "types." For example, for human "types." For example, a fox character might embody a fox character might embody the human characteristics of the human characteristics of cunning and cleverness. Though cunning and cleverness. Though Aesop's animal fables were Aesop's animal fables were ostensibly about animals, they ostensibly about animals, they were really instructional tales were really instructional tales about human emotions and about human emotions and human behavior. human behavior.

Animal FablesAnimal Fables The most popular animal The most popular animal

fables of the 20th Century are fables of the 20th Century are the the Just So StoriesJust So Stories (1902) (1902) written by Rudyard Kipling. written by Rudyard Kipling. Kipling's fables were adapted Kipling's fables were adapted by Disney in the movie by Disney in the movie The The Jungle Book.Jungle Book. Orwell admired Orwell admired Kipling and the Kipling and the Just So Just So StoriesStories would seem to have would seem to have influenced the form of influenced the form of Animal Animal FarmFarm. Orwell took the short . Orwell took the short animal fable and expanded it animal fable and expanded it to the length of a short novel to the length of a short novel in the form of an in the form of an allegoryallegory..

Children’s Book? – No!Children’s Book? – No! After After Animal FarmAnimal Farm was published in 1945, George was published in 1945, George

Orwell discovered with horror that booksellers were Orwell discovered with horror that booksellers were placing his novel on children’s shelves. According placing his novel on children’s shelves. According to his housekeeper, he began traveling from to his housekeeper, he began traveling from bookstore to bookstore requesting that the book be bookstore to bookstore requesting that the book be shelved with adult works. This dual identity — as shelved with adult works. This dual identity — as children’s story and adult satire — has stayed with children’s story and adult satire — has stayed with Orwell’s novel for more than fifty years.Orwell’s novel for more than fifty years.

What are 4 Key Literary Terms that What are 4 Key Literary Terms that help us to understand Orwell’s help us to understand Orwell’s

meaning in Animal Farmmeaning in Animal Farm??

FableFableallegory

Satire Irony

AllegoryAllegory Most fables have two levels of meaning. On the Most fables have two levels of meaning. On the

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

Allegory (cont’d)Allegory (cont’d) Yet there is no reason that Yet there is no reason that

allegory must be limited to allegory must be limited to two levels. It is possible to two levels. It is possible to argue that argue that Animal FarmAnimal Farm also has a third and more also has a third and more general level of meaning. general level of meaning. For instance, the pigs need For instance, the pigs need not only represent specific not only represent specific tyrannical soviet leaders. tyrannical soviet leaders. They could also be They could also be symbols for tyranny more symbols for tyranny more broadly: their qualities are broadly: their qualities are therefore not simply the therefore not simply the historical characteristics of historical characteristics of a set of actual men but are a set of actual men but are the qualities of all leaders the qualities of all leaders who rely on repression and who rely on repression and manipulation. manipulation.

Squealer, Snowball, & Napoleon

Allegory Allegory (cont’d)(cont’d)

Animal FarmAnimal Farm is strongly allegorical, is strongly allegorical, but it presents a very nice balance but it presents a very nice balance between levels of meaning. On the between levels of meaning. On the first level, the story about the first level, the story about the animals is very moving. You can be animals is very moving. You can be upset when Boxer is taken away by upset when Boxer is taken away by the horse slaughterer without being the horse slaughterer without being too aware of what he stands for. But too aware of what he stands for. But at the same time, each of the at the same time, each of the animals does serve as a symbol. animals does serve as a symbol. The story's second level involves the The story's second level involves the careful critique Orwell constructed careful critique Orwell constructed to comment on Soviet Russia. to comment on Soviet Russia.

Boxer

Keystone Alert

SatireSatire In a In a satiresatire, the writer , the writer

attacks a serious issue by attacks a serious issue by presenting it in a ridiculous presenting it in a ridiculous light or otherwise poking light or otherwise poking fun at it. Orwell uses satire fun at it. Orwell uses satire to expose what he saw as to expose what he saw as the myth of Soviet the myth of Soviet socialism. Thus, the novel socialism. Thus, the novel tells a story that people of tells a story that people of all ages can understand, all ages can understand, but it also tells us a second but it also tells us a second story— that of the real-life story— that of the real-life revolution. revolution.

Soviet Coat of Arms

Keystone Alert

Irony (cont’d)Irony (cont’d) Orwell uses Orwell uses dramatic dramatic

irony irony to create a to create a particularly subtle satire. particularly subtle satire. SatireSatire stages a critique of stages a critique of an individual, group, or an individual, group, or idea by exaggerating faults idea by exaggerating faults and revealing hypocrisies. and revealing hypocrisies. The dramatic irony of The dramatic irony of Animal FarmAnimal Farm achieves achieves this aim indirectly. We see this aim indirectly. We see the hypocrisy that the the hypocrisy that the animals don't and therefore animals don't and therefore understand in this understand in this backward fashion that the backward fashion that the book is deeply critical of book is deeply critical of the pigs.the pigs.

Keystone Alert

Activity #2: Close reading Activity #2: Close reading of Chapter 1 with Study of Chapter 1 with Study

GuideGuide VocabularyVocabulary Reading Reading

ComprehensionComprehension Literary AnalysisLiterary Analysis Techniques and Techniques and

character character developmentdevelopment

Significant QuotesSignificant Quotes

As you read, look As you read, look for literary for literary techniques and techniques and significant quotes.significant quotes.

Write down any Write down any questions or questions or observations that observations that you have. you have.

TODTOD

List 5 characters List 5 characters from Animal from Animal Farm.Farm.

List what List what government government system Orwell system Orwell came to hate came to hate during his work during his work as a policeman as a policeman in India.in India.

Animal Animal FarmFarm

By George OrwellBy George Orwell

“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

Allegory - Satire - Fable

January 7, 2014

UEQ: UEQ: How can an author’s use of allegory promote social change?

LEQ: How does LEQ: How does George Orwell George Orwell structure structure chapter 1 to lay chapter 1 to lay the foundation the foundation for allegorical for allegorical meaning?meaning?

Introduction of:Introduction of: SettingSetting Plot: ExpositionPlot: Exposition CharactersCharacters conflictconflict

Chapter One Group A

1. benevolent2. cynical3. enmity4. ensconced5. lurched6. regarded

Chapter One Group B

7.scullery8. Trodden9.Mincing10.tyranny11.dissentients

Animal FarmVocabulary Chapter 1

Benevolent Cynical enmity

1..Definition: showing kindness or goodwill

Which of the three vocabulary words matches the definition?

2._________distrustful of human nature 3___________ extreme ill-will or hatred

between enemies4__________settled in comfortably or

securely5__________moved with unsteadiness from side to side

Write the vocabulary word that matches each given definition.

Close reading of Chapter 1: Close reading of Chapter 1: Three GoalsThree Goals

Basic Reading Basic Reading comprehension comprehension of Plot and of Plot and CharacterizationCharacterization

Scavenger Hunt:Scavenger Hunt:

Observations of Observations of Orwell’s Literary Orwell’s Literary TechniquesTechniques

Later goal…analyze the allegorical meaning and Orwell’s political application of the story.

How does Orwell employ the How does Orwell employ the conventions of a “fairy tale” to conventions of a “fairy tale” to establish a foundation for his establish a foundation for his

allegory?allegory?

What are the What are the conventions of a conventions of a fairy tale?fairy tale?

Activity #2: Elements of the Fairy Activity #2: Elements of the Fairy tale as a Literary Device—find tale as a Literary Device—find

evidence of each within the textevidence of each within the text Convention of the Convention of the

“world of the “world of the humans in the humans in the house” juxtaposed house” juxtaposed with the “world of with the “world of the animals” in the animals” in the barn or “what the barn or “what happens when the happens when the humans sleep”humans sleep”

Convention of the Convention of the “I have a “I have a dream”—dream”—

Disclosure of Disclosure of dream, vision, or dream, vision, or prophecy that prophecy that serves as a serves as a catalyst to catalyst to plot/conflictplot/conflict

Chapter 1: CharacterizationChapter 1: Characterization

How does Orwell How does Orwell introduce the introduce the reader to his reader to his characters? characters?

He describes them He describes them as they gather for as they gather for a meeting to hear a meeting to hear the words of Old the words of Old Major. Major.

Activity #2: Character Activity #2: Character Scavenger HuntScavenger Hunt

Activity #3: Study Guide Activity #3: Study Guide Chapter 1Chapter 1

Check your Check your answers with your answers with your learning team. learning team.

Go over answers Go over answers as a class. as a class.

Activity #4: Significant Activity #4: Significant QuotesQuotes

Work with your learning team to find Work with your learning team to find at least 5 significant quotes from at least 5 significant quotes from Chapter Chapter

Write the quote, then:Write the quote, then: A. . Identify the character who says A. . Identify the character who says

the quote, the quote, B. .the page #, and B. .the page #, and C.why it is significant/what it reveals C.why it is significant/what it reveals

to the reader. to the reader.

TOD Jan 7, 2014TOD Jan 7, 2014