An Intro to Animal Farm

1. An Intro to Animal Farm Tidbits of wisdom that will help you better understand and appreciate George Orwell’s satirical fable.

2. George Orwell • Born Eric Blair on June 25, 1903 • In 1928, he went to Paris to be a writer • Published his first book in 1933, under the pseudonym George Orwell. • December 1935, he fought in the Spanish Civil War • Animal Farm published in August 1945 • His other best known work, 1984, was published in June, 1949. • Died January 21, 1950.

3. The Basics • Although it seems innocent enough, Animal Farm is not the “fairy tale” story that it seems. • Written in 1945, the novella hits on some of the major historical points of the Russian Revolution of 1917. • Orwell uses fable, satire and allegory to tell this cautionary tale.

4. Satire • A satire is a literary work holding up human vices to ridicule or scorn. • Often uses wit, sarcasm or irony to expose or draw attention to vice or folly. • The main intent of satire is political, social, or moral and not comic. • Satire that leans more toward humor is called parody.

5. Pop Culture Satirists • Pop culture tends to lean more toward parody than actual satire. • Saturday Night Live is famous for parody. • They poke fun at celebrities, current events and politics • Weird Al Yankovich satirizes other artists music. • Shows like The Simpsons have also been labeled as satirical. • Some editorial cartoonists, like Jim Borgman, have also used satire.

6. Editorial Cartoons Why is this an example of satire?

7. Fable • A fictitious narrative or statement • A story that usually has a moral or lesson to be learned at the end. • Many fables feature animals that talk and act like human beings • Fables often use anthropomorphism which gives human characteristics, like emotions (feelings like being happy or sad) and the ability to talk, to a living thing that is not a human.

8. Examples of Fables • Some of the most famous are Aesop’s Fables • “The Ant and the Grasshopper” • “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” • “The Tortoise and the Hare”

9. Allegory • The expression by means of symbolic, fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence. • Similar to metaphors: both use one subject to represent another unrelated subject. • Unlike metaphors (which are usually one or two lines), allegories often extend through an entire story. • Allegories are usually meant to persuade the reader in some way.

10. Allegory Examples • Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” is one of the best known. • Uses a cave and shadows to caution mankind about believing all they see. • Stories about superheroes are often allegorical • The superhero represents the good in “Everyman,” and his struggles are symbolic of the villains that everyone fights. • Even The Wizard of Oz can been viewed as an allegory for the financial troubles of America in the 1890’s.

11. Terms • Proletariat • The class of industrial wage earners who, possessing neither capital nor production means, must earn their living by selling their labor; the poorest class of working people. • Autocracy • government in which one person possesses unlimited power • Provisional Government • Formed after the Czar’s abdication; was in place from March 1917 to November 1917

12. Capitalism • An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned. • The business owners (or capitalists) get richer while the workers do all the hard work. • The capitalists get more power to serve their own interests. • Capitalism creates a huge working-class of people who soon get angry at the way they are treated. They organise in unions and demand changes. This leads to a revolution and Socialism…

13. Capitalism…think of it this way • You have two cows, you sell one and buy a bull

14. Socialism • In the Socialist revolution all the rulers – kings, churches, capitalists are eliminated • The workers take control of the country to produce things for everyone. • Because nothing is made for profit, all people benefit from education and health. • These ideas spread across the world to create Communism….

15. Socialism…think of it this way • You have two cows, you give one to a neighbor

16. Communism • A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people. • All human activity goes towards benefiting each other – allowing all to live their lives to the fullest.

17. Communism…think of it this way • You have two cows. You give them to the government. The government gives you some milk.

18. Key Players • Karl Marx • Invented the idea of Communism • “Workers of the world unite” and take over government • Died on March 14, 1883, well before the Russian Revolution took place • Czar Nicholas II (Ruler of Russia) • Cruel, sometimes brutal with opponents • Sometimes kind; hired students to work as spies to make money. • Clumsy and ineffective leader. • Nicholas II abdicated on March 2, 1917, as a result of the February Revolution. • In July 1918, the Bolsheviks executed Nicholas

19. Key Players • Vladimir Lenin • Founder of Bolshevik Party; Devout follower of Marxism • Orchestrated the “October Revolution” • After Lenin died, on January 27, 1924 his embalmed body was placed in a mausoleum for all to view. • Leon Trotsky • Co-Leader of the “October Revolution” • Pure communist; follower of Marx • Wanted to improve life for all of Russia • Chased away by Lenin’s KGB (secret police) • Joseph Stalin • Cared for power; Did not follow Marx’s ideas; killed all those who opposed him. • Used KGB, propagandized. • Was not a good public speaker

20. Key Players • Pravda • Russian newspaper of the 1930’s; used propaganda • Seized by Stalin and his Bolshevik regime • Worked for Stalin to improve his image • KGB (Secret Police) • Forced support for Stalin; they were like bodyguards • Used force to combat disobedience • Russian People • Some citizens did not care about revolution; went to other countries that could offer them more. • Other dedicated supporters believed Stalin just because he was “Communist;” many stayed loyal even when things got bad. • Skeptical people weren’t sure revolution would change anything; knew communism wouldn’t work with power.

21. The Russian Revolution • The Russian Revolution of 1917 centers around two primary events • February Revolution removed Tsar Nicholas II from power, February revolution happened as a result of bread shortages which led to worker protests which led to a mutiny. Spontaneous Revolution! • October Revolution (also called the Bolshevik Revolution) overturned the interim provisional government and established the Soviet Union. The October Revolution was a much more deliberate event, orchestrated by a small group of people.

22. Timeline of Events • 1864: Karl Marx organizes the First Communist Internationale in London, England. • 1881: Revolutionary sentiment continues to build in Russia • 1883: Karl Marx dies (long before the actual revolution!) • 1917(February): The February Revolution finally topples Czar Nicholas II

23. Timeline (Continued) • 1917 (October): Bolshevik troops (at Lenin’s request) advance on the Provisional Government; a bloodless coup brings the soviets to power and marks the start of the communist era • 1918: Civil War breaks out in Russia; white forces (intent on removing the soviets from power) battle the “Red” forces of communist Russia, under the leadership of Leon Trotsky (the Red forces are victorious)

24. Timeline (continued) • 1922: The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) is established. • 1924-1927: Stalin out maneuvers Trotsky and assumes full command of the USSR; he immediately begins isolating Trotsky within the party • 1927: Trotsky is run out of the Soviet Union

25. Timeline (continued) • 1928: Stalin announces his first Five Year Plan (an attempt to make Russian a modern industrial state); convinces “comrades” throughout the Soviet Union to work harder than they ever have so that the Soviet Union can be beacon of hope for workers everywhere. • 1933: Stalin proposes the second five year plan, which again emphasizes the rapid growth of the Soviet Industry; by the end, they are a formidible world power

26. Timeline (Continued) • 1934: Beginning of the “Great Purges” and “show trials” under Stalin; these public accusations and forced confessions were followed by quick trials and executions (or imprisonment); between 2 and 7 million people are executed • 1939: The German-Soviet Non Aggression Pact (a secret agreement between Stalin and Hitler) is signed; guaranteed that neither country would oppose or attack the other ever.

27. Timeline (Conclusion!) • 1941: Hitler begins “Operation Barbarossa,” the full frontal assault on the Soviet Union, in defiance of the Non-Aggression Treaty of 1939. Hitler moves quickly into Russia; eventually Hitler’s troops retreat under a Russian counter-assault • 1943: Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt meet to discuss the ways to forge a lasting peace after the war

28. Connections to Animal Farm • It is said that the characters and events of Animal Farm mirror those of the Russian Revolution. • As you read, pay attention: can you tell who or what each character or event represents? • As with poetry…things aren’t always as they seem! Look carefully.