'Animal Farm': exploring Orwell's influences and purpose
I can explain why Orwell wrote 'Animal Farm'.
'Animal Farm': exploring Orwell's influences and purpose
I can explain why Orwell wrote 'Animal Farm'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Orwell was influenced by his varied life experiences
- Orwell was against authoritarian regimes and viewed his writing as a way to criticise the abuse of power
- 'Animal Farm' is an allegory for the Russian Revolution
- Orwell was a democratic socialist and against the ideals of communism which he saw as easily corruptible and flawed
- 'Animal Farm' explores themes of power and hierarchy
Keywords
Authoritarian - An authoritarian regime enforces strict obedience and the expense of personal freedoms.
Allegory - An allegory is a story, poem or image that has a hidden message, typically a moral or political one.
Socialism - Socialism is a political ideology that believes in equality and shared ownership of resources and production.
Capitalism - Capitalism is an economic system that encourages profit making and private ownership of business and resources.
Marxism - Marxism is a political theory based on the work of Karl Marx. It believes in collective ownership and the eradication of social classes.
Common misconception
George Orwell was a communist.
Although Orwell wanted an equal society, he viewed communism as corruptible and idealistic.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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