New
New
Year 11
AQA
'Animal Farm': developing analytical paragraphs on Squealer
I can develop an extended response on the character of Squealer.
New
New
Year 11
AQA
'Animal Farm': developing analytical paragraphs on Squealer
I can develop an extended response on the character of Squealer.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- When analysing characters it is important to acknowledge they are a construct.
- Commenting on characterisation with reference to methods and themes is an effective analytical strategy.
- Commenting on the progression of a character can help develop analysis.
- Linking to structure, form and style will elevate your analysis.
Keywords
Juxtapose - Opposite things or ideas placed next to, or near, each other to emphasise contrast.
Pivtotal - Describes something of crucial importance.
Sycophant - A person who praises someone with authority or higher status to gain an advantage.
Integral - To be completely necessary or important to something.
Common misconception
The characters are referred to as real people. For example "Old Major describes himself as ..."
Think about the purpose of the characters and why Orwell has constructed them the way he has.
Task A can be a written task if discussion is not an option or if discussing out loud is not appropriate, try a silent debate on paper.
Teacher tip
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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.
Which one of these is not in the original commandments in 'Animal Farm'?
No animal shall wear clothes.
No animal shall kill any other animal.
Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
Q2.
What word classes are used for effect in this quote from 'Animal Farm': "the others said he could turn black into white".
Verbs
Nouns
Adverbs
Determiners
Q3.
In 'Animal Farm' what does Squealer use to confuse the animals? Here is the quote: "things called “files”, “reports”, “minutes” and “memorandum".
Hyperbole
Statistics
Rhetorical question
Subversion
Q4.
What method of deception is being used in the quote: “Squealer always spoke of it as a "readjustment," never as a "reduction"?
Simile
Hyperbole
Jargon
Q5.
Which historical figure beginning with 'M' does Squealer represent?
Q6.
Starting with the first, put these plot point from 'Animal Farm' in chronological order. They all refer to Squealer.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which word beginning with 'J' describes: opposite things or ideas placed next to, or near, each other to emphasise contrast?
Q2.
Which word describes a person who praises someone with authority or higher status to gain an advantage?
Authoritarian
Egalitarian
Q3.
Orwell can be described as a...
Marxist
Communist
Fascist
Q4.
In 'Animal Farm', how does the final description of Squealer "walking on his hind legs" contribute to the novella's message?
It symbolises his newfound physical abilities.
It represents his transformation into a human.
It signifies his submission to the other animals.
Q5.
What is the name of the Soviet propaganda newspaper that Orwell uses Squealer to satirise in 'Animal Farm'.
Q6.
In 'Animal Farm' what convention of a fairy tale does Orwell subvert at the end of the novella?
Once upon time
Talking animals