Literature Analysis Animal Farm: Introduction & Chapter One

• Engels
• Voortgezet speciaal onderwijs
• Middelbare school
• WO
• Leerjaar 5

"All animals are equal..."

"Four legs good, two legs bad"

"I will work harder"

Lesson start (10’)

Hook: show 3 short statements (no plot spoilers): “All animals are equal…”, “Four legs good…”, “I will work harder.”

Quick pair talk: “What kind of story might this be? What themes?”

Literature Analysis

 Animal Farm

by

George Orwell

Learning Goals

• identify and describe the main characters, themes and symbols in ‘Animal Farm’.
• apply critical thinking when analysing events and recognising allegorical elements in the text.
• respect the deadlines
• make clear and coherent log entries.
• actively participate in class discussion by expressing their views, listening to others and responding respectfully to different perspectives.
• understand the historical context of ‘Animal Farm’ and make connections between events in the book and historical events of the time.

George Orwell

• Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950)
• Born in British India, grew up in Oxfordshire
• Worked as an imperial police officer in Burma (cf.
  Burmese Days (1934))
  
• Moved back to England in the late 1920s 
• Went to Spain to fight in the Spanish Civil War in
  1930s 
• best known for Animal Farm: A Fairy Story (Britain,
  1945) and Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949)

Allegory

• A story, play, poem, picture, or other work in which the characters and events represent particular qualities or ideas that relate to morals, religion or politics.
• “A story or visual image with a second distinct meaning partially hidden behind its literal
  or visible meaning [i.e. concrete story, characters and events]. An allegory may be
  conceived as a metaphor."

Anthropomorphism?

• The attribution of human traits, feelings, and behaviors to inanimate objects, non-human animals/entities, or nature.
• Anthropomorphism can occur consciously or unconsciously and is a common way people perceive the world.
• Examples: Animals who speak, write, build stone structures, organise themselves
  politically,…

More examples

• Children attribute human-like personalities to their toys.
  
• Cartoon animals: Winnie-the-Pooh.
• Vehicles: Thomas the Tank Engine. 
• Objects: characters in Toy Story.
• Advertising:  MM's: 

Name the literary term that describes this picture:

Satire

A way of criticizing people or ideas in a humorous way, especially in order to make a political point, or a piece of writing that uses this style.

Propaganda

Information, ideas, opinions, or images, often only giving one part of an argument, that are broadcast, published, or in some other way spread with the intention of influencing people's opinions. 

Main Characters: Animal Farm

• The major characters in Animal Farm are introduced in the first four chapters. 
• As you read, think about the purpose of each of Orwell’s characters. 
• Complete the chart by noting details that describe each character or by listing key actions . 
• Complete sentences are not required but complete thoughts are. 
• You may need to revisit and add information to the character chart, as we proceed through the book.

Read Chapter One

• See the hand-out Chapter One
• Highlight the names/s and characteristics af any animals mentioned. -> usse different colours
• Undeline any words that are unfamiliar.

What is significant as to how the animals arrange themselves as they gather to hear Major?

1. Shows that the animals care about each other.
2. Shows the hierarchy and social structure of the farm.

According to Major what is the cause of all the animals problems?

1. Humans
2. Mr Jones
3. Not enough food
4. Too much work

What motto does Major give the animals?

1. All animals are equal. All men are beasts.
2. All men are enemies. All animals are comrades.

Examine the song Beasts of England. What is the message?

1. A revolutionary song about the future when animalkind will overthrow humankind. their oppressors, and take control of England once and for all
2. To be happy and accept your fate as an animal.

Chapter Two