Bellringer – Thursday 1/23/14

1. Bellringer – Thursday 1/23/14 DIRECTIONS: Copy down each statement. Circle true or false . Then, write a paragraph answer for ONE of the statements explaining your opinion. • 1. All humans are equal.True False • 2. Usually the best and brightest people are leaders.True False • 3. Some people are smarter than others.True False • 4. A dictator can control everything in a country.True False • 5. The government usually does what’s best for the most people.True False • 6. You should always believe everything you're told.True False • 7. People who cannot read are easily controlled.True False • 8. People always have the ability to make their own choices.True False

2. Animal Farm By George Orwell

3. George OrwellBritish Author & Journalist • Real name: Eric Arthur Blair • 1903-1950 • Born in India during the British Empire • Noted as a novelist and critic, as well as a political and cultural commentator • One of the most widely admired English-language essayists of the 20th century • Best known for two novels critical of totalitarianism in general, and Stalinism in particular: • Animal Farm • Nineteen Eighty-Four “Liberty is telling people what they do not want to hear.”

4. George Orwell and His Beliefs • Reputation for standing apart from the crowd • Often opposed the popular belief • Orwell’s beliefs about politics were affected by his experiences fighting in the Spanish Civil War. • He viewed socialists, communists, and fascists as repressive and self-serving. • He was skeptical of governments and their willingness to forsake ideas in favor of power.

5. Why Animals? • In explaining how he came to write Animal Farm, Orwell says he once saw a little boy whipping a horse and later he wrote, • “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 way as the rich exploit the [worker].”

6. What is Animal Farm? • Political satire • Satire = using humor to ridicule to criticize people’s ideas, especially when the are oppressive • Animals that talk! • Living in bad conditions, they revolt against their master • The animals then form into a totalitarian regime • Totalitarian regime = a country controls everything it’s citizens do; no democracy • Orwell's critique of the communist system in the former Soviet Union.

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

8. Why do we care today? The Soviet Union fell, so what is the purpose of teaching Animal Farm today?

9. ALLEGORY!

10. Allegory • An allegory is literary device or technique when one character or place represents apart of ourselves, an historical person or group, or a real place. • Example: Three Little Pigs • Three Little Pigs: each pig represents different aspects of ourselves

11. Brick Pig • Represents the reality principal • We must face reality and its consequences and responsibilities

12. Straw Pig • Represents pleasure • Our need to seek out enjoyment and pleasure

13. Sticks Pig • The middle ground between the two • Shows there can be a compromise between reality and pleasure and that growth is possible

14. Fable • Allegories are also considered fables • Fables teach a moral or truth • “The moral of the story” • “The Tortoise and the Hare” • Slow and steady wins the race; do things thoroughly • “The Ant and the Grasshopper” • Use time wisely and be prepared; don’t just seek pleasure

15. Chapter 1 -- Vocabulary • cynical (3) – distrustful of human sincerity • A person who is cynical has more of a negative outlook on things • laborious (5) – considering effort and time • Building a house is laborious • tyranny (7) – cruel and oppressive government • People lived in tyranny under Hitler’s rule • dissentients (8) – person who opposes the popular opinion • Orwell was a dissentient • enmity (8) – opposed or hostile to someone or something • There is enmity between Israel and Palestine