Animal Farm
Historical context - The Russian Revolution
What does the word 'dystopian' mean?
Dystopian is relating to or denoting an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice.
What is a 'novella'?
A novella is a short novel or long short story.
What is the difference between a capitalist and a socialist society?
Capitalism affords economic freedom, consumer choice, and economic growth. Socialism, which is an economy controlled by the state and planned by a central planning authority, provides for greater social welfare and decreased business fluctuations.
It says here that the Communist Manifesto argues 'that revolution by the underclass is inevitable.' Who, do you think, is this 'underclass'?
The word 'underclass' might refer to the working class and only men since women's rights were overlooked during that time.
Do you agree with the findings of this manifest? That the only way to get rid of uneven levels of wealth in society is through revolution? Explain your answer.
I agree with the manifest and I also agree that revolution was the only way to get rid of uneven levels of wealth in society because power is the problem. When Stalin became powerful, he used it to push other ideas rather than his communist ideals. Also, without a revolution capitalism wouldn't have been as questioned as it was.
Was Tsar Nicholas II a fair ruler in Russia? Quote to substantiate your answer.
Tsar Nicholas II was, in fact, not a fair ruler in Russia since his "oppression and violent executions terrorized the poor," and he also let the capitalist system thrive at the expense of the workers.
What type of political system was set up by Lenin when he overthrew the Tsar?
Russia, later the Soviet Union, became a one-party socialist state governed by the Communist Party. Ideologically a Marxist, his developments to the ideology are called Leninism.
What was Stalin's key focus when he came to power? Was it successful? Why or why not?
Stalin's key ascend to power included securing international allies against threats and modernizing the Soviet Union's economy through industrialization and collective farming.
In your opinion, was Stalin a fair leader? Why or why not?
Stalin's ideals were of a fair leader, but his actions proved that he was not. His concentration of power led to a totalitarian regime characterized by fear, censorship, and the lack of basic human rights. His leadership can be seen as oppressive and unjust, as it deprives the people of their freedom and causes various deaths.
Did Stalin adhere to the principles of communism, for which he claimed to stand? Explain your answer fully.
Stalin did not adhere to the principles of communism because he wanted to exploit the regimes so that the Soviet Union could benefit and become prosperous. communism is an ideology where there's common ownership and there is the absence of social classes. He did adhere to the principles that ensured he had control over economic activity.
Characters
Old Major:
Who does he symbolize? - Karl Marx
Role on the farm - He is Mr Jones's prize boar. He gathers all the animals together in the big barn to make a speech. He tells the animals that mankind and Mr Jones are the 'enemy', it is their fault that the animals' lives are miserable. He points out how cruel the men are to the animals - consuming without producing.
Key quotations -
Middle White Boar. Also called Willingdon Beauty.
Mr Jones:
Who does he symbolize? - Tsar Nicholas II
Role on the farm - He is the owner of Manor Farm. (Neglective)
Key quotations -
Napoleon:
Who does he symbolize? - Josef Stalin
Role on the farm - He is the only Berkshire boar on the farm. He is one of the pigs who gradually attain more power and influence on the farm, eventually becoming the leader.
Key quotations -
Snowball:
Who does he symbolize? - Leon Trotsky
Role on the farm - Snowball is one of the pigs who take the teachings of Old Major and turn them into a way of thinking called 'Animalism'.
Key quotations - “The only good human being is a dead one”
Squealer:
Who does he symbolize? - Propaganda
Role on the farm - The primary communicator between Napoleon and the farm animals. He uses his words to convince the other animals that Napoleon is always right.
Key quotations - “Surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?”
Boxer:
Who does he symbolize? - All the Russian laborers and workers.
Role on the farm - The farm's most dedicated and loyal laborer.
Key quotations - “I must work harder”
He is very old at 11 years old and works more than any other.
Moses:
Who does he symbolize? - The Russian Orthodox Church
Role on the farm - Tamed raven who works with Mr. Jones to keep oppressed workers motivated with tales of an afterlife in Sugarcandy Mountain. (Place where animals go when they die to reap their rewards from their work on Earth.
Key quotations -
Mollie:
Who does she symbolize? - The bourgeois middle class (ignorance).
Role on the farm - White horse who pulls Mr. Jones's wagon.
Key quotations - “Will there still be sugar after the rebellion?”
Dogs (9):
Whom do they symbolize? - Secret police/KGB
Bluebell and Jessie are the parents.
Cockerel:
Role - Acted as Napoleon’s trumpeter, letting out a loud “cock-a-doodle-doo” before Napoleon spoke.
Pinkeye:
Role - Tastes Napoleon’s food before he eats it to test if it’s poisoned.
Clover:
Gentle and motherly carthorse. Protects the weak.
Symbolizes the working class women.
Muriel:
White goat. One of the few literate animals.
Represents educated individuals who know what is up and will not speak up.
Benjamin:
Donkey. Oldest and worst tempered.
Intelligent and is able to read but does not find anything worth reading.
Does not believe in rebellion but is not against it.
Minimus:
A pig had a remarkable gift for composing poems and songs.
Mr. Pilkington - Foxwood’s owner. Easy-going gentleman farmer who spent most of his life fishing or hunting according to the season.
Foxwood - (Represents the United Kingdom) Large, neglected, old-fashioned farm, much overgrown by woodland, with all its pastures worn out and its hedges in a disgraceful condition.
Mr. Frederick - Pinchfield’s owner. Tough and shrewd man perpetually involved in lawsuits and with a name for driving hard bargains.
Pinchfield - (Represents Germany) Smaller and better kept than Foxwood.
Mr. Whymper - A solicitor living in Willingdon. He took care of the communication between Animal Farm (Napoleon) and the other farms.
** Pinchfield used to be Animal Farm’s first enemy farm because of the torture their animals go through. “Death to Frederick” changed to “Death to Pilkington” because Frederick “bought” (fraudulently) Animal Farm’s pile of timber, breaking any relations with Foxwood. When chaos arrives at Animal Farm from Frederick’s men, Napoleon asks for help, and Foxwood refuses.
Extras
Original Seven Commandments:
Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
Whatever goes upon four legs or has wings is a friend.
No animal shall wear clothes.
No animal shall sleep in a bed.
No animal shall drink alcohol.
No animal shall kill any other animal.
All animals are equal.
Modified commandments (in order):
No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets. (Because sheets are a human invention, and a bed can be made out of anything, including hay).
No animal shall kill another animal without cause.
No animal shall drink alcohol in excess.
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. (The only surviving commandment at the end)
According to Old Major, animals live in misery because man steals the produce of animals’ labor
Sugarcandy mountain = heaven
October 12 - Battle of the cowshed
Midsummer Day - Rebellion Day
^^ Both of these anniversaries are celebrated with gunshots.
^^^ Later on in the story, Napoleon adds his birthday as a celebration with gunshots.
Animal Hero First Class - Snowball and Boxer
Animal Hero Second Class - Sheep that died in battle.
Mollie disappears and is seen in Willingdon happily pulling a cart with ribbons in her hair.
Pigs get the most benefit from doing the least work.
Snowball was the first one to propose the idea of building a windmill. When he was kicked out, Napoleon took Snowball’s idea as his own and started planning out the windmill.
Chickens hid in the rafters as a form of rebellion for being forced to give up their eggs.
Snowball was blamed for any misfortune that happened on the farm.
The pigs worked with Mr. Whymper to sell the goods from the farm.
The pigs became more and more like the humans they hated as the book progressed.
The first harvest after the rebellion was the most successful one.
The animal farm flag is a white hoof and horn on a green background.
Napoleon sends pigeons to spread the word about the animal farm.
When the animals tell Napoleon they are working with Snowball, Napoleon has them executed.
There is a certain point in which Napoleon only communicates with the other animals through Squealer. Squealer gave the announcements every Sunday at 10:00 am and Napoleon separately met the other pigs in the farmhouse.
The first time the windmill is destroyed is because of a storm. The second time was because Frederick’s men completely bombed it and prevented it from existence.
The second battle was named Battle of the Windmill.
The windmill took 2 years in total to construct.
Mr. Frederick tricked Napoleon with fake money to buy wood.
Pigs walk on two legs at the end.