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Year 10
AQA

Exploring the different methods of control and leadership in 'Animal Farm'

I can explain the different methods of control in 'Animal Farm' and how the pigs use these to gain power.

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Year 10
AQA

Exploring the different methods of control and leadership in 'Animal Farm'

I can explain the different methods of control in 'Animal Farm' and how the pigs use these to gain power.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A cult of personality is the result of a carefully constructed persona, spread through propaganda and other means
  2. Napoleon reflects Stalin’s use of propaganda and methods of control
  3. Orwell explores how leaders gain power through created personas, language and education
  4. Orwell emphasises the dangers of an uneducated working class in the maintaining of power and hierarchy

Keywords

  • Persona - A persona is the part of your character or personality that is presented to other people.

  • Ideology - Ideology is a system of ideas or values that underpin a theory or idea.

  • Cult of personality - A cult of personality is where a public figure (such as a political leader) is presented as a great person who should be admired and loved.

  • Reverence - To show reverence is to demonstrate a deep respect for something or someone.

Common misconception

That everyone in power sees education as a way to better society.

How does it feel when you don't understand something? Confusing? Scary? Disorientating? How could the pigs use this to their advantage?


To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Exploring the different methods of control and leadership in 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Gather some images of propaganda posters, particularly ones featuring Stalin. Deconstruct these and how they create a particular persona.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Animal Farm', what is the primary method Napoleon uses to maintain control on the farm?
Persuasion
Correct answer: Fear and violence
Education
Collaboration
Q2.
In 'Animal Farm', which pig is known for being persuasive and manipulative, serving as Napoleon's spokesperson?
Old Major
Snowball
Correct answer: Squealer
Minimus
Q3.
In 'Animal Farm', who is driven out by Napoleon in a power struggle, despite being intelligent and having good intentions?
Correct answer: Snowball
Minimus
Old Major
Squealer
Q4.
Complete this commandment from 'Animal Farm': "No animal shall kill any other animal__________"
Correct Answer: without cause, Without cause, without cause., Without cause.
Q5.
Starting with the first, put these events from 'Animal Farm' in chronological order.
1 - Old Major's speech
2 - Rebellion
3 - Battle of the cowshed
4 - Snowball's expulsion
5 - Napoleon's show trials
6 - Boxer's death
7 - The animals walk on two legs
Q6.
In 'Animal Farm' Old Major says, "Our lives are miserable, laborious and short". This is an example of which rhetorical device?
Correct Answer: Rule of three, list of three, triple

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
How do both Stalin and Napoleon from 'Animal Farm' create a cult of personality?
Through education and information
Correct answer: By employing a combination of propaganda and manipulation
Through a persuasive and collaborative leadership style
Q2.
In 'Animal Farm' what persona does Napoleon create through propaganda?
Correct answer: Nurturing, personable, and heroic
Authoritarian, ruthless, and dictatorial
Innovative, idealistic, and collaborative
Persuasive, artful, and obedient
Q3.
In 'Animal Farm', which characters show the dangers of a lack of education and the connection to blind loyalty?
Muriel and Benjamin
Snowball and Old Major
Correct answer: Boxer and Clover
Squealer and Napoleon
Q4.
Which character in 'Animal Farm' is described as "winning over the majority with his brilliant speeches"?
Squealer
Napoleon
Correct answer: Snowball
Old Major
Q5.
In chapter 10 of 'Animal Farm' the pigs reduce the commandments to one. Complete the commandment: "All animals are equal but some animals__________"
Correct Answer: are more equal than others, are more equal than others. , are more equal
Q6.
What did Stalin compare education to?
weapons
Correct answer: guns
flowers
bricks
tools