Animal Farm Chapter 1-Political Systems-Allegorical Connections

1. ANIMAL FARM
Chapter 1

2. Karl Marx and Communism
WHO IS KARL MARX?
 A German intellectual/philosopher
 Many of the ideals behind the Soviet revolution
were based on his writings and teachings

3. MARX
WHAT DID HE BELIEVE?
Societies are divided into two segments:
 Proletariat.
 The working class (creates all the
products)
 Capitalists
 The owner class (enjoys all the
benefits)
This class division leads to inequality and

4. How did Marx view his world?
 The great masses of people are
poor and kept poor by the
“exploiters,”
 The capitalists were few in
number, but had money and
power.
They took advantage of the
“working class”

5. What was Marx‟s Vision?
 Marx believed a revolution would be necessary
to throw off the shackles of the oppressor (the
rich).
 Marx believed that a revolution would achieve
these results:
There would be a classless society
Everyone would be equal
There would be no more owners
There would be no more exploited
masses

6. Capitalism
 Economic System where production and
distribution of goods is privately owned
 Business owners can profit immensely
(Marx called them “capitalists”)
 Workers get paid for their degree of work

7. Capitalism…think of it this way
You have two
cows, you sell
one and buy a
bull.

8. Capitalism
 Some may claim their work deserves
greater pay or recognition
 If workers are treated poorly enough
they might demand revolutionary
changes

9. If inequality and poor treatment
reaches a certain point
Capitalism can
lead to…

10. Socialism
 A system where the collective (everyone) or
government decides:
 How goods will be produced and
distributed to the people
 The goal is to give work and goods equally
to all
 Thus maximizing happiness and well-being
for all

11. Socialism …think of it this way
In theory
You have two
cows, you give
one to a
neighbor.
In Practice:
You have two cows, the government
takes one and gives it to a neighbor.

12. If corruption, greed, or ambition for
power are unleashed
Socialism can lead
to…

13. Communism
 A socialist system of government
 The government is more authoritarian (bossy)
 They claim to make progress toward a
better, equitable society
 All human activity goes towards benefiting
each other
 But the only ones benefitting are the
government elite and their inner circle.

14. Communism …think of it this way
 You have two cows. You give them to the
government. The government gives you part
of the milk.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Matthew_Stann
ard/Scratch/jokes

15.  A term used to describe Communism
under Stalin‟s rule.
 Marked by extreme governmental
control.
 The use of a secret
police, propaganda, and especially
brutal tactics of political coercion
Stalinism

16.  You have two cows. You are forced to
take care of them, but the government
takes all the milk. Then the government
sends you to prison.
.
Stalinism …think of it this way

17. If left unchecked
The most extreme
governments
become Totalitarian

18. Totalitarianism
Any Government that controls nearly
every aspect of public and private
behavior
Do not tolerate activities by individuals
or groups (labor unions, churches and
political parties) that are not directed
toward the state's goals

19. Totalitarianism
Maintain power by:
 Secret police
 Propaganda spread through the
state-controlled mass media
 Restriction of free discussion and
criticism
 Widespread use of terror tactics

20. Totalitarianism…think of it this way
You have two cows. The
government takes them and denies
they ever existed. Milk is banned.
You disappear and are written out
of history.

21. Chapter 1 Summary
 Major Wishes to pass his wisdom
 Talks about miserable lives and manipulation/born as
slaves
• Could live in luxury given the resources
• Use the products of their labors
 Dream from the Previous Night
 Live free and happy
 Animals vs. humans (2 legged walking „creatures‟)
 Once they take the humans they can‟t acquire their
traits
• Ex: live in a house, sleep in
beds, drink, smoke, handle money, wear
clothes, trade
 “Beasts of England” ---an animal Utopia
 Mr. Jones fires a shotgun and stops the commotion

22. Chapter 1 Analysis
 “Beasts of England”- the animals will finally be free
from man‟s domination—enjoy the fruits of their
labors
 The song words lead to a „Utopian Ideal‟
 Major‟s simple belief is that „Man‟ is the only reason
for their evil
 Makes it easy for anyone non human to buy in to
the situation
 Idea touches on class struggle, surplus value, and
exploitation
 Idea is sincere, but it‟s unrealistic—just like . . .
 Major states: “All animals are equal”
 Marx dies just as Old Major-leaving his work
unfinished
 Ch. 1=Historic to period before and during WWI

23. Russian Revolution – Karl
Marx/Lenin
Invented
communism.
“Workers of the
world unite,” take
over the government.
Dies before the
Russian Revolution.

24. Animal Farm – Old Major
Taught Animalism
Workers do the work, rich
keep the money, animals
revolt.
Dies before the Rebellion

25. Russian Revolution – Czar
Nicholas II
A poor leader at best
compared to western kings.
Cruel –sometimes with brutal
opponents
Sometimes kind –paid
students to work as spies

26. Animal Farm - Mr. Jones
Irresponsible to his animals
– he lets them starve
Sometimes cruel – he beats
them with a whip
Sometimes kind – he mixes
milk in animal mash

27. Russian Revolution -
Communism
All people are equal
Government owns
everything, people own the
government.

28. Animal Farm – Animalism
Workers get a better life, all
animals are equal.
Everyone owns the farm.

29. Animal Farm
Chapter 1
The Music Motif and
Parody in Action

30. Old Major’s Speech
 Parody of lofty, revolutionary speeches
 Imitates the language and style
 Mocks the held belief that such
speeches:
◦ Make promises of a better tomorrow
◦ Urge radical action
◦ Outline the values/beliefs of the people

31. Beasts of England, Beasts of
Ireland,
Beasts of every land and clime,
Hearken to my joyful tidings
Of the Golden future time.
Soon or late the day is coming,
Tyrant Man shall be o'erthrown,
And the fruitful fields of England
Shall be trod by beasts alone.
Rings shall vanish from our
noses,
And the harness from our back,
Bit and spur shall rust forever,
Cruel whips no more shall crack.
Riches more than mind can
picture,
Wheat and barley, oats and hay,
Clover, beans and mangel-
Bright will shine the fields of
England,
Purer shall its waters be,
Sweeter yet shall blow its breezes
On the day that sets us free.
For that day we all must labour,
Though we die before it break;
Cows and horses, geese and
turkeys,
All must toil for freedom's sake.
Beasts of England, Beasts of
Ireland,
Beasts of every land and clime,
Hearken well, and spread my
tidings
Of the Golden future time
“Beasts of England”
Lyrics

32. Role of Music in Animal Farm

33. Songs of Protest Activity
 Read Packet Page 34-Directions
 Listen to-read-the “Beasts of England”
◦ The lyrics in packet are slightly different
than the book. This doesn’t affect
anything
 Answer questions 1-2. Leave #4
Blank
 Share Responses
 In class:
 Listen to-read-“Imagine” pg. 38.

34. “Beasts of England”
 Parodies the Left-Wing Socialist anthem
“The Internationale”
◦ Became the National Anthem of Communist
Russia
◦ Reflects the principles of Marxism
◦ “Beasts of England” reflects the principles of
Animalism