Transcript Document

Narration in Animal
Farm
By Mr. Keough
Ps. Your Welcome
The narrator is the person who relates the events of a story to a
reader or audience. It is the lens through which we view the story
and characters.
• Three main types of narrator:
• o First Person: The narrator is a character in the story – uses
the first person “I” to tell the story.
• o Third Person Limited: The narrator does not participate in
the action of the story – relates the
• thoughts and feelings of only one character.
• o Third Person Omniscient: The ‘all knowing’ narrator does
not participate in the action of the story,
• however does relate the thoughts and feelings of many
different characters.
• Animal Farm is told from the third person omniscient point of view,
which allows the reader to see into the minds of characters and
gain a better understanding of their true opinions of the
happenings of Animal Farm.
• The narrator is a voice that has no part in the story, and tells the
story of Animal Farm objectively.
• As a result, the reader is able to understand the true situation
throughout the story, even while the animals have a limited view
and/or do not understand what is happening.
• One of successful aspects of Animal Farm is the neutral tone of the
(mostly) unbiased narrator.
• The narrator rarely makes judgments; they rarely take sides. The
narrator mostly reports the events as one would report the news.
• This objectivity leaves the reader to make his/her own
judgments, yet the way the plot is constructed, it is clear that
the reader should ultimately see the point Orwell is trying to
put across, without the narrator making assertions or stating
opinions.
Chapter 1: Discussion ?’s
• Do you sympathize with the animals’ complaints and goals?
Why or why not?
• How is Old Major’s speech similar to any political speeches
you have ever heard or studied?
Chapter 2: Important Points
and Questions
• We are told that the pigs are more intelligent than anyone
else.
o Discuss the issue of how with knowledge comes power / often
the uneducated are at a disadvantage.
• We get to know Boxer and Clover; they are stupid, but
trusting and hard working.
o Why does this not bode well for them? Should we blindly trust
those in authority?
• The Seven Commandments are designed.
o What do we think of these? Are they fair? Why have they been
chosen specifically?
• The pigs steal the milk from the cows.
o Yikes! Isn’t this a little suspicious? How does it go against
communist principles?
Chapter 3: Important Points
and Questions
• Although the pigs do attempt to educate the other animals, they
are not successful.
o This resulting imbalance in knowledge has negative consequences.
Do we ever see this happening in our own society?
• The pigs simplify the principles into the one slogan: “Four legs
good, two legs bad”.
o Is this an oversimplification? How are slogans powerful? Can you
think of any political slogans which have stuck in your mind?
• We learn more about Mollie. She clearly enjoys the trappings of the
past regime.
o She represents the bourgeoisie. What do we think of her and
Benjamin?
• The pigs steal the milk AND apples now…
o We can clearly see that their abuse of power is taking shape.
Chapter 4
• We are introduced to Mr Pilkington and Mr Frederick.
o This is in line with the allegorical links to Russian history.
Trotsky tried to establish communism as an international
movement.
• Snowball’s plans
o We start to see the difference in leadership styles between
Napoleon and Snowball.
• The Battle and the prize
o Don’t distinguished prizes go against principles of
communism? And what about the fact that it was selfappointed?
Chapter 5
Mollie is in communication with the men on neighboring farms.
o Mollie represents the bourgeois and those who weren’t interested
in the ‘greater good’ of the revolution. They just cared about
themselves and fled the country - like Mollie!
We start to see the real differences between Snowball and
Napoleon and their leadership styles.
o Snowball is clearly the better public speaker, but Napoleon is
cunning and doesn’t play fair (he literally pees on Snowball’s plans).
We finally find out what happened to the puppies….
o … and it’s not good. They represent the secret police (later the
KGB) who Stalin used to carry out his dirty work.
Napoleon runs Snowball off the farm and is now in control.
o Things change drastically. The democratic meetings are
abolished and there is a clear shifting of power on the farm.
Squealer is used to placate the other animals.
o Squealer represents ‘The Pravda’, and is the propaganda
machine of the pigs.
Start filling in these tables.
• You must do this in their groups of four – each
person chooses 2 characters and researches them.
• You must have your novels open, finding at least
two quotes for each character.
• When each person has made comprehensive
notes on their 2 characters, give feedback to each
other in their groups and all fill in all of the boxes.
Animal Farm vs History
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Old Major = Karl Marx
Mr. Jones= Czar Nicholas II
Napoleon= Joseph Stalin
Snowball= Leon Trotsky
Squealer= Propaganda Department
Boxer= Working Class
Moses= Religion
Mollie= Czar Supporter
Activator Chapters 6+7
• Constructive opposition and criticism
are important to the working of
democracy. Is Napoleon's opposition
to Snowball's ideas constructive or
simply confrontational and negative?
Is political discussion in this country
constructive or confrontational?
Examples
• http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/0cerfn/the-obamacareapocalypse
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfgSEwjAeno
Chapter 6
• Although work on the windmill was voluntary, how does
Napoleon ensure that all work on it? Why are the animals still
happy to do the extra?
• A smear campaign is begun against Snowball. What are the
things he is accused of doing? Was he guilty of any of these
accusations?
• What arguments are advanced by Squealer to justify the pigs’
sleeping in beds?
• Why does the windmill fall down in the storm? Why does
Napoleon blame Snowball?
Chapter 6
• The animals work like slaves.
o Isn’t this ironic? They rebelled so that they would be free. Although, is it
different when you are working for yourselves rather than for someone else to
benefit?
• Napoleon hires Mr Whymper the solicitor.
o Doesn’t this go against one of the founding principles of animalism? Working
with humans? We start to see Napoleon is seriously moving away from their
ideals.
• Squealer carries on blatantly lying to the other animals.
o You have to start to wonder how it is possibly they keep believing his lies. This
shows the power that comes with intelligence and the danger of being
uneducated.
• The pigs move into the farmhouse.
o Another departure from the original commandments; they have literally been
rewritten. Things really are deteriorating on the farm.
• The windmill is blown down…
o ... and Snowball is blamed. Snowball becomes a convenient scapegoat for
Napoleon. He can blame any of his own failures on Snowball and deflect
attention from his own corruption.
Chapter 7
• Why is it "vitally necessary" to conceal from the outside
world the poor conditions on the farm?
• In these days Napoleon rarely appeared in public… Why does
Napoleon withdraw from day to day contact with the other
animals?
• How is the revolt of the hens dealt with?
• What is the point of the incident of the confessions, where
those who confess to association with Snowball are
slaughtered? Are they guilty?
Chapter 7
• The animals are really starting to feel the pressure
o Only Boxer and clover keep working. ‘They were always cold, and usually hungry as well.’
• Squealer carries on making his ‘excellent speeches’…
o … but it’s Boxer and his cry of ‘I will work harder’ which keeps the animals inspired.
• Napoleon fools Mr. Whymper
o Here we see further evidence of Napoleon’s intelligence and cunning. This is a clear example of
propaganda.
• Snowball is, once again, used as a scapegoat
o Squealer is very cunning in the way he even starts to alter the animals’ memories – ‘that they
had remembered, or thought they remembered’.
• The ‘confessions’
o This episode is horrific and confusing. However, it links historically to the mock trials in Russia
where people were forced to ‘confess’ to things they never did, because they were threatened
to do so. It is a show of Napoleon’s violence and tyrannical power.
• ‘The Beasts of England’ is banned
o This song was a revolutionary song and it stirred the animals up for rebellion in the first place
– Napoleon definitely wouldn’t want that happening again, so it is understandable why he bans
the song.
In your Groups! Answer the
questions!
• The first part of the novel – the exposition – will usually
prepare us for the conflicts and problems the main character
will face, and perhaps indicate or hint at what might cause
more conflicts later.
• Think about the first chapter. What conflicts have been
established so far?
• Which of the conflicts you have listed are the most significant
as the story progresses?
• How are these conflicts resolved by the end of the novel?
• In what ways is this novel different from usual in the types of
conflicts depicted and the way in which they are depicted?
What’s in a name?
Napoleon – Napoleon Bonaparte was a revolutionary leader of France. Many would
argue he was tyrannical in his leadership. Hence it is fitting to name this dictator on
the farm, after him.
Snowball – Napoleon is described as physically darker than Snowball. Therefore, snow
being white, adds to the light/dark, good/evil metaphor.
Mr. Jones – Jones is a very common name, therefore he could symbolize man in
general.
Boxer – A boxer is physically very strong, this is appropriate as the character is the
most hardworking animal on the farm and displays extreme strength.
Mollie – This is a pretty, dainty name and it suits the character well. Mollie is vain and
is attracted by ribbons and sugar cubes.
Moses – Moses is a biblical name, a man who was seen as a religious leader and
prophet. This is fitting as the raven is always trying to tell the animals about
‘Sugarcandy Mountain’.
Mr. Wymper – To whimper means to snivel, which is appropriate as Mr Whymer is a
sly and simpering lackey for Napoleon.
Squealer – An appropriate name for one who ‘squeals’ (the sound a pig makes), in
that he is the voice of the pigs, their propaganda machine.
The Sheep – They aren’t named because the represent the unthinking mass. They’re
easily brainwashed & bleat what they are taught.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE AND
COMMENT ON FROM CHAPTER 8:
• The rules are changing…
o … literally! Somebody (Squealer) is rewriting the commandments to serve the
purposes of the pigs. Sadly, the animals are fooled by this and do not see
through the cunning of the pigs.
• Squealer carries on with his propaganda
o We see he uses statistics to confuse and convince the animals. How often do
people do this? Use ‘facts’, statistics and research to back up their points, yet
we must be careful – the numbers can easily be manipulated to prove
whatever you want them to prove.
• Napoleon is definitely no longer ‘one of the animals’
o He is clearly setting himself apart and distinguishing himself as superior. He
even changes the way he is addressed – very emotive titles: ‘protector…’ /
‘father’ / ‘friend’ – are they true & fitting?
• Songs and poems are written about Napoleon
o Again, all part of the propaganda machine. This poem is also wonderfully
satirical of patriotic rhetoric (there is a worksheet on this poem linked to this
lesson plan).
• The dealings with the neighboring farms
o This parodies Stalin’s dealings with England and Germany during WW II.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE AND
COMMENT ON FROM CHAPTER 9:
• The food supplies continue to diminish
o Although Squealer still manages to ‘fudge’ the numbers.
• Napoleon orders ‘Spontaneous Demonstrations’
o These demonstrations include marching, speeches, and praise of the glory
of Animal Farm. This all sound suspiciously like brainwashing tactics, doesn’t
it?.
• Napoleon becomes president of the republic
o Was this a free and fair election? What does this say about the type of
political system of the farm?
(Think back to the early lesson on types of political systems.)
• Boxer is sent to the glue factory
o This episode is tragic. Not only are the animals blindly lied to and
hoodwinked by the pigs (again!), but Boxer, the loyal and hardworking one,
is totally betrayed by the pigs. It is heart-breaking and we can almost see
Boxer and his fate, as a sad indication of the rotten state of the farm, and
how far they have fallen from the ideals laid out by Old Major.
• The pigs are now buying whiskey
o This is serious ‘misappropriation of funds’ when the animals are practically
starving. Can you think of examples of this in current affairs or history?
IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE AND COMMENT ON FROM CHAPTER 10:
• Years pass, and the farm seems to be doing well
o Yet it is only the pigs and the dogs who seem to benefit at all.
• The pigs start walking on two legs
o This is a complete departure from the original commandments and a shocking
development for the animals – it is a distinctly ‘human’ characteristic.
• The pigs wear clothes, listen to the radio, smoking pipes…
o … all things which were symbolic of human ways.
• The commandments are completely changed
o The commandments are reduced to: ‘All animals are equal but some are more
equal than others’ – obviously this is hugely representative of how far they have
departed from equality. The nonsensical nature of it signifies the complete
corruption on the farm, and the ability that those in
power have, to manipulate language to confuse and deceive.
• The pigs and the human interact and socialise
o This is a chilling end to the novel, and the way Orwell sets it up is poignant –
the animals one the outside, looking in – totally powerless. The fact that they can
no longer tell the difference between the pigs and the humans just represents
how far the pigs have departed from their ideals, and they have become the
exact people they fought against in the beginning – it is a sad tale.