George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984 are famous works that use allegory to critique totalitarianism and misuse of power. Animal Farm depicts the Russian Revolution and rise of Stalin through the story of farm animals who revolt against their human farmer. Key characters and events in the novel parallel those of the Russian Revolution, with Napoleon representing Stalin. The work shows how the ideals of equality and prosperity for all devolved into a dictatorship as bad as the previous human leadership.

1. Literature and History

2. George Orwell British author famous for writing about politics in the 20 th Century 1903-1950 His most famous works are Animal Farm and 1984 He coined the term Big Brother

3. Animal Farm Mr. Jones Irresponsible to his animals (lets them starve) Sometimes cruel-beats them with whip

4. Russian Revolution Nicholas II A poor leader Cruel – sometimes brutal with opponents

5. Animal Farm Old Major Taught Animalism Workers do the work, rich keep the money, animals revolt Dies before the Revolution takes place

6. Russian Revolution Karl Marx Ideology of Communism “ Workers of the world unite”, take over the government

7. Animal Farm Animalism No owners, no rich, but no poor Workers get a better life, all animals are equal Everyone owns the farm

8. Russian Revolution Communism All people are equal Government owns everything, people own the government

9. Animal Farm Snowball Young, smart, good speaker, idealistic Really wants to make life better for all One of the leaders of the Revolution

10. Russian Revolution Leon Trotsky Leader “October Revolution” Intellectual and ardent communist, Wanted to improve life for all in Russia

11. Animal Farm Napoleon Not a good speaker, not as clever as Snowball Cruel, brutal, selfish, devious, corrupt His ambition is for power, killed opponents Used dog, Moses, and Squealer to control the animals

12. Russian Revolution Stalin Limited education Same as Napoleon, didn’t follow Marx’s ideas Cared only for power Used KGB to remove enemies

13. Animal Farm The Dogs A private army that used fear to force animals to work Killed or intimidated any opponent of Napoleon Another part of Napoleon’s strategy to control the animals

14. Russian Revolution KGB – Secret Police Used force, often killed entire families for disobedience Totally loyal to Lenin then Stalin

15. Animal Farm Boxer Strong, hard working horse, believes in Animal Farm “ Napoleon is always right” “ I must work harder” Gives his all, is betrayed by Napoleon who sells him

16. Russian Revolution People believed Stalin because he was “Communist” Many stayed loyal after if was obvious that Stalin was a tyrant Betrayed by Stalin who ignored and killed them

17. Animal Farm Benjamin Old, wise donkey who is suspicious of revolution and understands that the commandants were changed by the pigs

18. Russian and World Opinion World Many weren’t sure revolution would change anything Realized that a evil leader could claim to be a communist Saw the danger of power hungry leaders betraying the ideals of the revolution

19. Themes of Animal Farm “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Lord Acton Utopia is dream. Idealism will suffer decay.