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Animal Farm

Animal Farm. By George Orwell. Overview of Slideshow. Background of author Historical Figures/Parallels Timing of publication. Author George Orwell. Birth Name – Eric Arthur Blair Born in India 1903 School at Eton in England Youth spent in vastly different places/classes. Orwell cont.

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Animal Farm

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  1. Animal Farm By George Orwell

  2. Overview of Slideshow • Background of author • Historical Figures/Parallels • Timing of publication

  3. Author George Orwell • Birth Name – Eric Arthur Blair • Born in India 1903 • School at Eton in England • Youth spent in vastly different places/classes

  4. Orwell cont. • Also wrote 1984 and many essays • Orwellian: Of, relating to, or evocative of the works of George Orwell, especially the satirical novel 1984, which depicts a futuristic totalitarian state.

  5. Utopia • Coined by Sir Thomas Moore • A utopia is defined as an ideally perfect place, especially in its social, moral, and political aspects • So…what’s wrong with that?

  6. Anti-utopian Literature • Writing which reveals the dark side of utopian thinking • Setting tends to be a dystopia

  7. Anti-Utopian Theory • Utopian thinking is not only unrealistic • It is dangerous and destructive • Orwell’s books are based on historical examples of this happening

  8. Controversy of Publication • Animal Farm finished in ‘44 • Not published in UK until August of ’45 • Book satirizes some world leaders • What else was going on at that time?

  9. 1945 • Germany surrenders in April of ’45 • Potsdam July 1945 • August brings A-bomb and the end of the war in the Pacific • Book considered a literary attack on a former ally.

  10. A Very Brief Look at Three Political/Economic Systems • Socialism • Capitalism • Communism

  11. Socialism • Various types of theories or systems which the ownership/ operation/distribution of goods and services is owned by the community rather than individuals.

  12. Socialism Today • Sweden (along with many Western European countries) has subscribed to many different versions of socialism

  13. Capitali$m • Economic system in which most means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated. • Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations (1776) • Meritocracy and the “invisible hand”

  14. Capitali$m • Smith: “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.”

  15. Capitalism Today • The U.S. is a prime example of a market-driven, capitalist economy

  16. Communism • Same basic system as socialism, but with the idea that only revolution will create a communist state. Expansionism/Military might is integral.

  17. Communism Today • Exists in varied forms • North Korea is an extreme example of a Maoist/Communist state • Most have evolved away from true Marxism Kim Jong-Il Golfing

  18. Key Historical Figures • Characters in Animal Farm mirror real people/events/things • Orwell intends for us to examine these connections • Satire of post-revolution struggle for order & power

  19. Karl Marx • Wrote The Communist Manifesto with Frederick Engels • Published in 1848 • Deemed the “father” of communism • “Workers of the world unite”

  20. Marx’s Flaw • The vacuum of power left by a communist revolution needs to be filled • Flaw: The assumed leaders would relinquish power back to the people

  21. Leon Trotsky • Born Lev Bronstein • Charismatic, intellectual, and strategic leader of Bolsheviks • Exiled by Stalin upon Lenin’s death • Executed in Mexico City in 1940 • Scapegoat of Stalinists

  22. Vladimir Lenin • Born Vladimir Ulyanov • First head of Communist Party in Soviet Union • Dies in 1924 • Stalin takes over

  23. Joseph Stalin • Born Joseph Dzugashvili • Assumes power of Soviet Union by fierce political will • Maintains power through fear, cult of personality, and ruthless tactics • Totalitarian leader

  24. Stalin’s Propaganda • Look carefully at the photograph to the right • Notice the empty stairwell

  25. Stalin’s Propaganda • Look carefully at the photograph to the right • Notice the man in the stairwell • Who is it? • Why was he erased from history?

  26. Hussein Purge Stalin Ovation 1924-1953 • Stalinist Regime • Era of profound totalitarian brutality and betrayal of Marx’s ideas • The Great Purge, Ukrainian Famine, the Gulags • Poster says, “The leader and teacher of humanity in the fight for peace, democracy and socialism."

  27. Final Quotes • “The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution.” - Hannah Arendt

  28. Final Quotes • Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. -Lord Acton

  29. The End

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