AF key Flashcards
Context for specific moments (18 cards)
What is an allegory and why is animal farm one?
Political allegories are stories that use imaginary characters and situations to satirize real-life political events.
The characters and events of Animal Farm represent the real people and events of the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. Orwell wrote Animal Farm because he wanted to tell the true story of the Russian Revolution in a way anyone could understand, even if they didn’t know all the historical details. The novella also makes a broader argument about political power and oppression in general. Orwell brings the events of the Russian revolution to the English countryside to argue that the events of the Soviet Revolution are “closer to home” than his English readers realize. And also comment on the nature of revolutions as well as political systems.
How does Orwell use a circular structure to comment on the nature of rebelion?
- In ch10, Orwell shows that the farm and the animals are regressing, becoming exactly the same as in Jones’ time.
- The corruptions of the original ideas and plans for Animal Farm are highlighted as the animals finally realise the pigs tyranny when it is too late.
- The proliferation (multiplying) of the greedy ‘upper classes’
As the other animals watch through the window, they find they are unable to tell pigs and humans apart. The pigs have started to dress and behave exactly like humans. The book’s final image expresses the animals’ realization that the pigs have become as cruel and oppressive as human farmers. In CH10 it is clear to the animals now that the farm has become exactly the same as in Jones’ time however it is too late.
Circular structure is used to highlight the corruptions of the original ideas and plans of animal farm as Orwell argues ‘All rebellions are failures’
The concept of inherent equality has given way to notions of material entitlement: Animal Farm as an institution no longer values dignity and social justice; power alone renders a creature worthy of rights. By claiming to be “more equal”—an inherently nonsensical concept—than the other animals, the pigs have distorted the original ideals of the farm beyond recognition and have literally stepped into the shoes of their former tyrannical masters.
What is totalitarianism?
A system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state. Animal Farm suggests that all totalitarian regimes are fundamentally the same: those in power care only about maintaining their power by any means necessary, and they do so by oppressing the individual and the lower classes.
While Animal Farm is, most directly, a pointed critique of the USSR, the totalitarian regime established by Joseph Stalin in the early 20th century. However, the book also implies at various points that the USSR was not the only totalitarian regime worth critiquing.
Mr Jones running manor farm is similarly totalitarian regime where animal lives are short and guaranteed to be in hunger while Jones lives in relative luxury and believes the natural order is humans ruling over animals. When the pigs and Napoleon takes over by the end of the novel they emulate the oppressive hierarchy despite initial ideas of equality. At the end the other farmers who visit Napoleon’s AF who aren’t yet running totalitarian farming establishments note that is commendable N is able to run the farm with ‘discipline and orderliness’ when lower animals receive so little food. This makes Orwell’s perspective clear that Napoleon as a totalitarian dictator isn’t an anomaly—he’s part of a much larger tendency of powerful leaders to consolidate and hoard as much power as possible.
Why is the word ‘Comrades’ used throughout AF?
“Comrades” is introduced first by old Major as a façade that all the animals are one group and to empower them – part of something bigger. The Pigs then use it through out novella esp. in Squealers propaganda speeches. Used when the speaker wants to take control of the situation. Addressing others as equals in a context of battle or struggle, when no real equality exists, is an attempt at manipulation.
Explain what Animalism is.
Napoleon, Snowball and Squealer develop Old Major’s idea that animals have a right to freedom and equality into “a complete system of thought” (Chapter 2) which they call Animalism. The central beliefs of Animalism are expressed in the Seven Commandments, painted on the wall of the big barn.
However, as the pigs seize more and more power, they change the Commandments painted on the barn, until Animalism is reduced to a single principle which is virtually the opposite of Old Major’s original idea: “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others” (Chapter 10).
What are the seven commandments?
The Seven Commandments are an allusion to the Ten Commandments in the Bible – a set of moral principles outlining how followers should live their lives. The Ten Commandments are viewed as unalterable moral rules, so when Squealer alters these commandments, it seems farcical.
THE SEVEN COMMANDMENTS
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed. [with sheets]
5. No animal shall drink alcohol. [to excess]
6. No animal shall kill any other animal. [without reason]
7. All animals are equal. [but some are more equal than others.]
What is the Context for OM speech CH1?
Old Major represents Lenin (he encouraged the working classes to rise up against those in charge/the elite) closely based on the beliefs of Karl Marx, a German philosopher who believed workers are exploited by capitalists who give them minimal pay and the only way to solve this is a workers uprising.
Comrades is reminiscent of the term used by the Bolsheviks, the Communists who overthrew the old order in the Russian Revolution of 1917 – political allegory.
The first chapter of the novella introduces the reader to the setting and all the characters; we learn what the animals lives are like and the society structure on the farm. A hierarchy is established as animals walk into the barn and sit in their own places.
This speech and OM teachings can act as a reference of what the animal society was like from Ch1, later in the novel even when the animals cannot.
What is the context for the Rebellion CH2?
The Rebellion represents the overthrowing of Tsar Nicholas II by the Russian people. Tsar Nicholas II was replaced by a provisional government during the first revolution of February 1917.
What is the context for the commandments and Literacy CH2/3?
The animals represent a society that has rebelled, for example the Russian working classes.
Orwell shows the danger of not being able to read and how those in charge will take advantage of this. This theme is starkly highlighted throughout the novella as the commandments are altered and the animals don’t notice/don’t speak up until it is the last moment when all is too obvious.
Napoleon and Snowball + other pigs have secretly come up with Animalism and all the animals follow along willingly. Their naiveté and lack of questioning makes them weak.
What is the context for Squealer convincing the animals pigs need milk CH3?
Squealer abuses language to justify Napoleon’s actions and policies to the proletariat (common animals) by whatever means seem necessary.
Squealer either radically simplified language to limit debate or over complicates it to confuse the animals enabling him to confuse, manipulate and control the animals thoughts.
The persuasive nature of Squealer’s ‘milk and apples’ speech mirrors the Soviet use of propaganda to reinforce their ideals and prevent the proletariat from rising up.
What is the context for Snowballs Exile CH5?
The struggle for power represents the struggle between Stalin (Napoleon) and Trotsky (Snowball) who had different ideas for the future of Russia. The dogs represent Stalin’s secret police (KGB) who kept order through violence, threat and fear.
Orwell presents Snowball/Trotsky as possibly better than Napoleon however he is still flawed and idealistic.
What is the context for the Battle of Cowshed CH4?
“Russian Revolution” is the collective term for a pair of revolutions in Russia in 1917. In the second revolution that October, the Provisional Government was removed and replaced with a Bolshevik (Communist) government. The Battle of the Cowshed represents the October revolution.
What is the context for the Confessions and executions CH7?
The confessions and executions represent Stalin’s ‘show trials’ purges where he got gov. officials or citizens to confess complicity with Trotskyist conspiracies many would confess to things never happened in order to end torture.
Gave people a common enemy to despise and to fear their safety so were less likely to disobey orders. Also shows the extent of totalitarian dictatorship or authority. The leader’s sheer power forces the animals to confess.
What is the context for the Battle of Windmill CH8?
The battles within the novel represent various uprisings during and after the revolution in Russia. The Battle of the Windmill is actually based in the Battle of Stalingrad, which was a major turning point in World War II. This shows us that no one in power can remain unchallenged. There will always be attempts by others to gain control. Ultimately, all regimes fail but will try to hide this from their citizens.
Napoleon’s dealings with Mr. Pilkington/Mr. Frederick, parodies Stalin’s diplomatic swaps with Germany and the Allies and how ultimately Germany went back on agreement not to invade Russia during WW2.
What is the context for Boxers Death and reactions CH9?
Boxer’s death represents the ultimate betrayal of the animals by those in power. He has given everything to Napoleon’s regime but he is slaughtered rather than given retirement. This represents how corrupt leaders lie to their citizens and manipulate them into behaving in a certain way. The actions of the pigs are particularly hateful as they use the money they get for Boxer on alcohol.
What is some context for the animals Blind faith in AF at start of CH10?
The contrast created between pigs who were ‘making a handsome profit’ and Squealer being ‘so fat he could with difficulty see out of his eyes’ Highlights the proliferation of greed in the upper classes – the pigs represent the Bolsheviks.
AF is an allegory Orwell uses to comment on how all rebellions are failures and that if people don’t follow politics then they willingly let politicians dictate their lives and can be easily manipulated if they don’t pay attention. The animals are either willingly deceiving themselves that things are better or are so uneducated/ aware they don’t notice.
What is some context for Pigs to men CH10?
The ending of the novel reinforces Orwell’s idea that all revolutions fail. The pigs are no better than Jones at the beginning, and deny that the rebellion was ever intended to cause trouble. They have been corrupted by money, power and exploiting the animals for their own benefit.
