George Orwell wrote Animal Farm

on various levels….

He wrote it as a...Fairy storyFablePolitical Satire

Fairy Story

DiscussionWhat are some elements of a fairy story or fairy tale?

Common Elements of Fairy Tales

Begins with Once Upon a Time…Element of Magic

Maiden in distress

Prince Charming

Sentimental interest

Happy Ending…

Begins with Once Upon a Time…Element of Magic

Maiden in distress

Prince Charming

Sentimental interest

Happy Ending…

Is Animal Farm a “Fairy Story?”

Why Animal Farm

ISIS a Fairy Story

Takes place in a world beyond good and evil

People or animals suffer for reasons not related to their personality

(Beautiful, ugly, rich) Characters are fixed stereotypes

(Represent a certain personality trait or flaw

FableDefinition:

A short tale that passed on by word of mouth that has animal characters with human qualities that teach readers a moral and/or lesson

Example of a Fable

The Kid and the WolfA KID, returning without protection from the pasture,

was pursued by a Wolf. Seeing he could not escape, he turned round, and said: "I know, friend Wolf, that I must be your prey, but before I die I would ask of you one favor you will play me a tune to which I may dance." The Wolf complied, and while he was piping and the Kid was dancing, some hounds hearing the sound ran up and began chasing the Wolf. Turning to the Kid, he said, "It is just what I deserve; for I, who am only a butcher, should not have turned piper to please you."

What do you think the MORALMORAL of this Fable is?

Moral In time of dire need, clever

thinking is key or…Outwit your enemy to save

your skin.

Animal Farm as a Fable

Characters are animals each with his/her own personality and human characteristics.

The animals think, meet, talk, act, fight, disobey, and obey…

AllegoryAllegoryThe representation of

abstract ideas or principles by characters,

figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or

pictorial form.

An Allegory is…

• A form of extended metaphor

• A story with two meanings1.Literal meaning 2.Symbolic meaning

• The underlying meaning of an allegory has moral, social, religious, or political significance

• In an allegory, characters are often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed, or envy.

• An allegory continues throughout the entire text

Animal Farm as an Allegory

• Animal Farm =History of Russia From 1917-1943

• Animalism = Communism

• Characters =Russian Historical Figures

http://www.history.com/media.do?action=clip&id=tdih_0416