Animal Farm Characters

Lesson 3 (Continued)

Animal Farm Chapters 2-3

Agenda

• Warm-Up

• Learning Goals

• Review Characterization and Symbolism

• Make inferences about the characters of Animal Farm.

• Explain the use of propaganda in Animal Farm.

• Exit Ticket

Warm-Up

Review of theme vs. main idea

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between a theme and a main idea?

• A theme is the message of a story, and the main idea is what the story is about.

• A theme is a summary, and the main idea is a paraphrase.

• A theme tells what the symbols mean, and the main idea is a symbol.

• A theme is what a student writes, and a main idea is what the story is mainly about

Detailed Explanation

The answer choice A is correct. The theme of a piece is the underlying message of a piece of literature, and the main idea is a statement that tells what the piece is about. Answer choices B, C, and D are incorrect and unreasonable.

Learning Goal

I can review the literary elements of characterization and symbolism by making justified inferences about the characters of Animal Farm.

I can explain the use of propaganda in Animal Farm through the character of Squealer by identifying when the character uses specific appeals to lure in and control the animals.

Essential Question

Now that you have read the first three chapters of Animal Farm, explain how literary elements, such as symbolism, play into the allegorical effects of the novel.

Characterization & Symbolism

Remember, since the story is an allegory, each major character has a symbolic meaning and represents a historical individual or group. Orwell is very intentional in his characterization in order to show the parallels between the characters and the people they represent. 

Open Ended

Who or what do you think Mollie the white mare represents in the story?

Mollie

Orwell uses direct and indirect characterization to give each animal a distinct personality.

For instance, if you were asked to identify the character who is vain and self-absorbed and loves being pampered, you would immediately connect these characteristics with Mollie, the white mare.

Define bourgeoisie and put the definition in the chat.

Multiple Choice

Who does Mr. Jones symbolize in the novel?

• Leon Trotsky

• Czar Nicholas II

• Joseph Stalin

Mr. Jones

Mr. Jones represents Czar Nicholas II, autocrat of Russia. In Chapter II, Mr. Jones flees his farm, an action that represents the forced abdication of Nicholas II.

Open Ended

Who does old Major represent in the allegory?

Old Major

 The boar old Major represents Karl Marx, the German philosopher who wrote The Communist Manifesto. Marx dies before seeing his dream of a workers’ revolt come to pass. Similarly, old Major dies after passing on his dream to the other animals, three months before the animals’ rebellion.

Connections

In Chapters I–III, you were introduced to several other major and minor characters of Animal Farm, such as Napoleon, Snowball, Squealer, Boxer, Clover, Benjamin, Moses, Mollie, and others. Most of these characters symbolize a specific person, a type of person, a group, or an organization associated with the Russian Revolution. The parallels between the characters and the historical individuals will be clearer as you continue your reading of Animal Farm

Open Ended

Consider in particular the two foremost pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, who are usually at odds with one another. Which historical characters could these two pigs represent?

Character List

Let's add the symbolic representation that we just identified for these characters in your character list!

Persuasion and Propaganda

Propaganda is information or rumors that are intended to influence others to support or oppose an individual, organization, or cause.

Animalism

In Chapter I, old Major delivers a very gripping, persuasive speech stirring the animals to pursue a rebellion against Man. After old Major dies, the other pigs turn old Major’s teachings into a belief system called Animalism.

The Leaders

the pigs begin to assume the leadership of Animal Farm following the rebellion. How do the pigs successfully persuade the other animals to follow them? The pigs are seen as the smartest of the animals. Napoleon and Snowball, both strong personalities, emerge as the two strongest leaders.

Squealer

Squealer, is the mouthpiece for the pigs, and his role is to “explain” the pigs’ actions to the other animals. He speaks very persuasively and is said to be able to “turn black into white.”

Propaganda

Squealer and the other pigs use propaganda to convince the other animals to act or behave a certain way.

Propaganda generally appeals to peoples’ emotions, rather than their logical reasoning.

Appeals of Propaganda

• Look for emotionally charged language

• Look for simple messages

• Look for uses of fear

Open Ended

Go back through chapters 2 and 3 and identify 1 example of propaganda being used by Snowball and Squealer.

Share the textual evidence here and explain how the propaganda is being used.

Exit Ticket & Homework

Answer the final 3 questions for Lesson 3 and submit in PLP. (Questions 38-40)

Write the summary for chapter 3 in the Chapters 2 & 3 Google Doc. TURN IN TODAY! Make sure your annotations are done and BOTH summaries are written for chapters 2 AND 3.