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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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New
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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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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When analysing characters it is important to acknowledge they are a construct.
  2. Commenting on characterisation with reference to methods and themes is an effective analytical strategy.
  3. Commenting on the progression of a character can help develop analysis.
  4. 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 (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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which one of these is not in the original commandments in 'Animal Farm'?
Correct answer: No animal shall sleep in a bed, with sheets.
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
Correct answer: Adjectives
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".
Correct answer: Jargon
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
Correct answer: Euphemism
Q5.
Which historical figure beginning with 'M' does Squealer represent?
Correct Answer: Molotov, molotov, Molotov., molotov.
Q6.
Starting with the first, put these plot point from 'Animal Farm' in chronological order. They all refer to Squealer.
1 - Squealer is described as a "brilliant talker".
2 - Squealer defends the taking of the milk and apples.
3 - Squealer convinces the animals that Snowball's role was "exaggerated".
4 - Squealer informs the animals that "Beasts of England" has been abolished.
5 - Squealer presents "list of figures" showing how productive the farm is.
6 - Squealer lies about Boxer's death saying he died peacefully in hospital.
7 - Squealer "walks on hind legs".

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?
Correct Answer: juxtaposition, juxtapose, juxtaposes, juxtaposing, Juxtaposition
Q2.
Which word describes a person who praises someone with authority or higher status to gain an advantage?
Correct answer: Sycophant
Authoritarian
Egalitarian
Q3.
Orwell can be described as a...
Marxist
Communist
Correct answer: Democratic socialist
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.
Correct answer: It completes the cyclical structure and the continued cycle of oppression.
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'.
Correct Answer: Pravda, pravda
Q6.
In 'Animal Farm' what convention of a fairy tale does Orwell subvert at the end of the novella?
Correct answer: Returning to the status quo
Once upon time
Talking animals