Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegorical novella about the Russian Revolution and Stalinism. It describes the rebellion of farm animals against their human farmer which leads them to set up their own society and government. However, the pigs who have taken leadership roles end up imposing a totalitarian regime and tyrannical rule, mirroring the corruption of the Soviet system under Stalin. The novella was influenced by Orwell's opposition to totalitarianism and was a critique of Stalin's leadership in particular.

1. Animal Farm By George Orwell

2. About the Author George Orwell was born Eric Blair in 1903 in Bengal , India 1917 was awarded a scholarship to Eton Died Jan. 23, 1950

3. Works by Orwell Down and Out in Paris and London Burmese Days A Clergyman’s Daughter The Road to Wigan Pier Homage to Catalonia Coming up for Air Inside the Whale The Lion and the Unicorn Animal Farm Dickens, Dali, and Others 1984

4. Historical Background

5. Communist Manifesto “ From each according to his abilities, to each according to his need.”

6. Events that led to Animal Farm March 15, 1917, Czar Nicholas II is overthrown Provisional government in place Oct. 1917, provisional government overthrown by the Bolsheviks led by Vladmir Lenin Russian Communist Party (Reds) take control of the government Lenin died in 1924

7. A power struggle ensued. . .

8. Leon Trotsky vs. Joseph Stalin Trotsky was a strict Marxist Stalin was a moderate Marxist and had served as the secretary general for the Communist party

9. Totalitarianism Form of government with a strong central rule that attempts to control individuals by means of coercion and repression.

10. Examples of Totalitarian governments and their leaders Nazi Germany - Adolf Hitler Soviet Union - Joseph Stalin Italy - (Facist) Benito Mussolini Spain - Gen. Francisco Franco

11. Animal Farm was an attack on Stalin

12. Literary Context

13. Contemporary Derives its inspiration from the political, historical, economic, and social nature of the world

14. Allegory Story that can be read on two levels

15. Satire Ridicule to make certain people, events, or institutions appear foolish

16. Fable Brief, often humorous, tale that presents a moral or message

17. Conflict External conflicts drive the action Internal conflicts are minimal