Animal Farm An allegory of the Russian Revolution

Animal Farm An allegory of the Russian Revolution

Allegory Literature that can function at more than one level of meaning. 1. Animal Farm is story about some strange talking animals on a farm. 2. Animal Farm’s characters and plot have an uncanny resemblance to people and the chronology of events in the Russian Revolution (1917). 3. Animal Farm’s characters are symbols for any tyrant leader who relies on manipulation and oppression.

Satire is a literary device where a writer takes a serious issue and addresses it in a funny and creative way. Animal Farm satirizes the system of Soviet Socialism. Other Satirical writers: Jonathan Swift, Margaret Atwood, Nadine Gordimer. Satire on T. V. : The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, Family Guy.

Irony results when there is a gap between what an audience would expect and what really happens. Orwell uses a particular type of irony – dramatic irony. He relies on the difference between what the animals understand the readers know Snowball below the commandments. about the situation at Animal Farm. As readers, we know what the animals know, but we can see so much more of its significance than they can. The conclusions we reach that the animals never quite get to – that the pigs are decadent, corrupt, and immoral – are all the more powerful because we arrive at them ourselves, without the narrator pointing these things out directly. Napoleon overindulging himself.

Totalitarianism is when single person, or select group of people, have unlimited authority and try to control all aspects of life for the population (even private stuff).

Socialism is a theory that believes in public or common ownership and cooperative management of the means of production and allocation of resources.

Communism is a sociopolitical movement that aims for a classless society structured upon communal ownership of the means of production and the end of wage labor and private property. Yes, it sounds like socialism, but communists are supposed to be more ‘hard -core’.

Animalism = Communism Animalism Taught by Old Major No rich, but no poor Better life for workers All animals are equal Everyone owns the farm Communism Invented by Karl Marx All people are equal Government owns everything People own the government

The Romanovs Old Russia had been ruled for 300 years by a family called the Romanovs. They were called czars (or tsars) and ruled as kings and queens. They lived a fantastic life in their palace, surrounded by all kinds of luxuries.

Russian Society The people lived in extreme poverty under a feudal system. The Czar lived in luxury. When WWI began, Russia fought against Germany. 100’s of thousands of Russia’s men died in battle and resources were especially scarce on the home front. When wounded soldiers returned home they were frustrated and starving, so the people revolted against their czars.

Czar Nicholas II A poor leader at best Cruel/brutal to opponents Hired students as spies Thought he was appointed by God. Murdered innocents (i. e. , 1905 food riot in St. Petersburg)

Farmer Jones = Czar Nicholas II Farmer Jones Czar Nicholas II The irresponsible owner of the farm Weak Russian leader during the early 1900 s Lets his animals starve and beats them with a whip Often cruel and brutal to his subjects Sometimes shows random kindness Displays isolated kindess

Karl Marx believed that the private ownership of land must be abolished. Believed in “Communal” way of life where everyone shares in prosperity. Invented Communism “Workers of the world unite“ and take over the government Become “classless” Dies before Russian Revolution

Vladimir Lenin Adopted Marx’s ideas Believed that the bourgeoisie (middle class) exploited the workers and must therefore be overthrown. Understood the emotional impact of simple, powerful slogans “Workers of the world unite” When Lenin died, there was a power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin.

Old Major = Marx/Lenin Old Major An old boar whose speech about the evils perpetrated by humans rouses the animals into rebelling. His philosophy concerning the tyranny of Man is named Animalism. He teaches the animals the song “Beasts of England” Dies before revolution Karl Marx The inventor of communism Wants to unite the working class to overthrow the government. Dies before the Russian Revolution

Leon Trotsky Followed Marx Believed in “pure” communism Brilliant speaker Worked with Lenin Succeeded in overthrowing the government Wanted to improve life for all in Russia Stalin’s KGB (secret police) chased him away

Snowball = Leon Trotsky Snowball Boar who becomes one of the rebellion’s most valuable leaders. After drawing complicated plans for the construction of a windmill, he is chased off of the farm forever by Napoleon’s dogs and thereafter used as a scapegoat for the animals’ troubles. Leon Trotsky A pure communist leader who was influenced by the teachings of Karl Marx. He wanted to improve life for people in Russia, but was driven away by Lenin’s KGB.

Josef Stalin Average speaker, not educated like Trotsky Didn't exactly follow Marx's ideas Craved power—willing to kill for it Used KGB, understood the sedative power of religion could be use to manipulate people, and propagandized Stalin continually opposed Trotsky and kicked him out in 1929. After he kicked out Trotsky, he used him as a scapegoat and blamed him for any mistakes.

Joseph Stalin Once in power, Stalin began, with despotic urgency and exalted nationalism, to move the Soviet Union into the modern industrial age. His government seized land in order to create collective farms. Stalin’s Five Year Plan was an attempt to modernize Soviet industry. Many peasants refused to give up their land, so to counter resistance Stalin used vicious military tactics. Rigged trials led to executions of an estimated 20 million government officials and ordinary citizens. The government controlled the flow and content of information to the people, and all but outlawed churches. Joseph Stalin

Napoleon = Joseph Stalin Napoleon Boar who leads the rebellion against Farmer Jones After the rebellion’s success, he systematically begins to control all aspects of the farm until he is an undisputed tyrant. Joseph Stalin The communist dictator of the Soviet Union from 1922 -1953 who killed all who opposed him. He loved power and used the KGB (secret police) to enforce his ruthless, corrupt antics.

RUSSIAN WORKERS BOXER The “proletariat”, or common workers, made Stalin’s Soviet regime work. They did not benefit from their hard work. A horse whose motto was “I will work harder” and “Napoleon is always right. ” =

PRAVDA SQUEALER A state-run newspaper that was used by Stalin to control news, information and propaganda. A pig who acts as Napoleon’s “mouthpiece” and he lies to cover up the crimes Napoleon commits. =

CZARIST SUPPORTERS Some Russians remained loyal to the Czar. They are called ‘czarists’ and they had usually benefited from the Czar’s lavish lifestyle. MOLLIE = A white horse who loves the ribbons and sugar the humans gave her. She misses the old days.

PIGS: they represent the Communist party DOGS (PUPPIES): they represent the KGB secret police MOSES THE RAVEN: represents Orwell’s idea that religion is used to keep people confused SHEEP: they represent people who are blind followers and who don’t think for themselves. OTHER HUMANS: represent different countries that had dealings with the Soviet Union (Hitler’s Germany, Churchill’s England, etc. )

Events in the Novel The Battle of the Cowshed = the British invasion of Russia to remove Lenin and his revolutionary government. Chasing Away Farmer Jones = The execution of Czar Nicolas II Napoleon taking over the Farm = Stalin’s dictatorship in 1926 Building of the Windmill = Creating a self sufficient economic system (according to the 5 -Year Plan)

More Parallels Selling of the Wood to Fredrick = a pact between the Nazi regime and the Soviets. Old Major’s Skull = Lenin’s embalmed body in Red Square. Battle of the Windmill = The Battle of Stalingrad (the German invasion of Russia during WWII) Hoof & Horn Flag = Hammer & Sickle (Soviet Flag)

Even More Parallels Confessions to crimes and Executions of animals = the purges during Stalin’s rule from 1936 -1938 Final Scene in the novel where the pigs and farmers are meeting = Tehran Conference (to give breaks to the Soviet Union and support the independence of Iran).