Bellringer – Thursday 1/23/14DIRECTIONS: 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

By George Orwell

Animal Farm

George OrwellBritish Author & Journalist

Real name: Eric Arthur Blair1903-1950Born in India during the British

EmpireNoted 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.”

George Orwell and His BeliefsReputation for standing apart from the crowd Often opposed the popular beliefOrwell’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.

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].”

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 masterThe animals then form into a

totalitarian regimeTotalitarian regime = a

country controls everything it’s citizens do; no democracy

Orwell's critique of the communist system in the former Soviet Union.

SatireIn 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

Why do we care today?

The Soviet Union fell, so what is the purpose of teaching Animal Farm today?

ALLEGORY!

AllegoryAn allegory is literary device or

technique when one character or place represents a part of ourselves, an historical person or group, or a real place.

Example: Three Little PigsThree Little Pigs: each pig

represents different aspects of ourselves

Brick PigRepresents the reality principal

We must face reality and its consequences and responsibilities

Straw PigRepresents pleasureOur need to seek out enjoyment and pleasure

Sticks PigThe middle ground between the two

Shows there can be a compromise between reality and pleasure and that growth is possible

FableAllegories are also considered fablesFables 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

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 timeBuilding a house is laborious

tyranny (7) – cruel and oppressive governmentPeople lived in tyranny under Hitler’s rule

dissentients (8) – person who opposes the popular opinionOrwell was a dissentient

enmity (8) – opposed or hostile to someone or somethingThere is enmity between Israel and Palestine