Novella
A short novel or long short story
Anthropomorphic
When an animal has human characteristics or behaviours
Theme
An idea that is explored throughout a book or play
Class
Class denotes how much wealth you have and determines your quality of life. For example, people who are middle or upper class are able to pay for superior healthcare and education
Power; Control
In 'Animal Farm', we see some of the characters who have more power than others. For example, when Napoleon is powerful, he treats others poorly and acts as a dictator. Napoleon has power because everyone else is afraid of him. He uses his dogs to intimidate other characters and even executes other animals
Education
The theme of education is presented in how the animals learn. Snowball wants all the animals to read and write, whereas Napoleon wants to stop the animals learning so he can control them
Language
In the story, we see how language affects what the animals believe. Squealer uses manipulative language to try to impact how the other animals think. He reminds the animals of Mr Jones which scares them and makes them feel grateful to have Napoleon as their leader
Religion
The theme of religion is explored through the Commandments and Sugarcandy Mountain. Jewish and Christian faiths and the Ten Commandments and Sugarcandy Mountain symbolises heaven for the animals
Equality
This idea links closely to the key theme of class. Equality is the belief that all individuals are equal, in the rights and opportunities they have
Didactic novella; Didactic novel; Didactic
A story with a moral message intended to inform and educate the reader
Satire
A novel that exposes and critiques politicians and their tendency to manipulative others for personal gain
Corruption
Napoleon symbolises Stalin and his violence explores the corruption of socialist principles
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing occurs in a literary text when the author or playwright gives clues and hints about what is to come in the plot. For example, Napoleon's deception begins with him taking milk for the pigs
Imagery
The use of emotionally charged words and phrases to create vivid pictures in the minds of the readers or audience
Symbolism
Animal Farm' is filled with historical context about the Russian Revolution. Symbolism is employed throughout which different characters representing different historical figures
Communist Manifesto; The Communist Manifesto
The name of the manifesto by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels that critiqued the capitalist economic structure and the class inequality it relies on
1917
The year in which the Russian Revolution took place
The Seven Commandments; Seven Commandments
Over the course of the novella, Napoleon manipulates all of these rules to create a higher class for the pigs
The barn; Barn
This place on the farm represents a space for community and equality
Beast of England; The beasts of England
The name of the socialist anthem sung by Old Major