Animal Farm - Oral Final Exam - Interculturales

Animal farm Scenes/ Chapters summary Chapter 1: - Characters introduction - Old mayor speech Chapter 2: - Animalism - Rebellion - The seven commandments Chapter 3: - Flag. Sundays’ MEETING - Reduction of the 7 seven commandments to “FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BAD” as the same t...

Animal farm Scenes/ Chapters summary Chapter 1: - Characters introduction - Old mayor speech Chapter 2: - Animalism - Rebellion - The seven commandments Chapter 3: - Flag. Sundays’ MEETING - Reduction of the 7 seven commandments to “FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BAD” as the same time contained the essential principle of ANIMALISM - Animals committees Chapter 4: - October 12th: The battle of Cowshed - Military decorations: “ANIMAL HERO, FIRST CLASS” (for sundays and holidays) and “ANIMAL HERO, SECOND CLASS” ( posthumously on the dead sheep) Chapter 5: - Disputes between Snowball and Napoleon regarding the future of the farm. Windmill: electricity, better machines, so on. Work 3 days a week VS. increasing food production. Full management of Napoleon.Defense: Napoleon. Procure firearms and train themselves in the use of them. Snowball: send more pigeons and stir up rebellion among on the animals on the other farms - Snowball’s expulsion - No more debates. Sunday’s meetings. They received orders per week. But, they continue saluting the flag and singing the “BEASTS OF ENGLAND” song - Creation of a special committee of pigs - Constant manipulation of the pigs to the other animals in order to create an a lider picture of Napoleon and a horrible and even criminal of Snowball - Napoleon wants Snowball to be dead Chapter 6:  - Working hours: sixty-hour week and SUNDAYS afternoons ( which were used to be for recreation) - Trading with the neighbouring farms. At first, “to obtain certain materials which were urgently needed”. Then, for COMMERCIAL PURPOSE - MR. WHYMPER: A HUMAN solicitor living in Willingdon agreed to act as an intermediary between Animal Farm and the outside world. Every mondays, he visit the farm to receive instructions - Changes in the relationship with humans - Rumours: Napoleon was about to enter into a definite business agreement with either MR. PILKINGTON OF FOXWOOD or wtih MR. FREDERICK OF PINCHFIELD - Pigs sleeping in the beds; took their meals in the kitchen; used the drawing room as a recreation room; they get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals - Napoleon = title under the name of leader - ANIMALS TIRED BUT HAPPY - November. Farm buildings rocked on their foundations and several tiles were blown off the roof or the barn. Pigs blamed Snowball for it. Chapter 7 - Starving - Napoleon is not seen too much due to his terrible leadership - Hens must surrender their eggs for sale. 400 eggs a week - Resembling rebellion. From the other animals to Napoleon dictatorship - Hens rations were stopped and threat to death if other animals gives them corn - Hens died of “COCCIDIOSIS” - “Snowball as a secret agent of Mr. Jones” - Crimes confession and execution. Animals killed other animals. - Abolished of BEAST OF ENGLAND BECAUSE it was the song of the rebellion. The rebellion is now completed by the execution of the “traitors” - Creation of a new SONG : “ANIMAL FARM, ANIMAL FARM NEVER THROUGH ME SHALT COME TO HARM.” This was sang after hoisting of the flag as BEAST OF ENGLAND used to be Chapter 8: - More working than last year to rebuilt the windmill - Napoleon continue to not be seen in public as often as once in a fortnight - NAPOLEON’S POEM. It was inscribed on the wall at opposite end from the Seven Commandments - A PORTRAIT OF NAPOLEON also on the wall - Napoleon engaged in complicated negotiations w/ Frederick and Pilkington  - Rumours of attacking the Animal Farm and to destroy the windmill (FREDERICK) - “Rumours” of murdering Napoleon (Snowball and three hens). Napoleon had a young pig called Pinkeye to taste his food before he ate it. And four dogs guarded his bed at night - Rumours: A pile of timber is going to be sell to FREDERICK who practised cruelties upon his animals - Slogans of DEATH OF FREDERICK - Autumn. The windmill was finished. It was named after “NAPOLEON MILL” - Two days later. Special meeting: The pile was sold to FREDERICK although Napoleon seeming friendship with Pilkington - Relationship w/ Foxwood was broken off (Plikington). Death to pilkington slogans and insulting messages to him were sent - Frederick payment of the pile of timber. He had got the timber for nothing. The bank notes were forgeries. FAKE MONEY - Napoleon pronounced DEATH SENTENCE to FREDERICK : be boiled alive. - Next morning. THE BATTLE OF WINDMILL Animal Farm was attacked by FREDERICK and his men. They destroyed the windmill making it exploited. They had won. In the animal farm, they thought that they had won. So, there was the hoisting of the flag and gun firing 7 times. 2 days of celebrations - A new military decoration: THE ORDER OF THE GREEN BANNER - Napoleon was drinking alcohol (whiskey) and he was wearing an old bowler hat ( clothes) They thought that he was dying. - DRINKING ALCOHOL WAS PUNISHED BY DEATH Chapter 9: - Winter. Rebuilt of the windmill - Retiring ages establish at the beginning - Liberal old aged pensions ( depending on how many stones they get for the windmill) - Less food, rations were reduced - Readjustment of rations. (= reduction) they didn’t call it like that. PROPAGANDA= POLITICAL IDEAS - Autumn. More mouths to feed: 31 young pigs. They will be instructed by Napoleon, they took exercise in the garden, they were discouraged to play w/ other animals, they had the privilege to wear green ribbons on their tails on sundays - Schoolroom will be built in the farm house. Functioning in march. - Farm. Fairly successful year, but short of money. - A stump of hay and part of the potato crop were sold - Egg contract: increased to 600 a week - Rations were reduced in december and february - Barley only for pigs  - A pint of beer daily for pigs w/ half a gallon for Napoleon served in the Crown Derby soup tureen. - More speeches, more songs and more processions - Once a week. SPONTANEOUS DEMONSTRATIONS to celebrate the struggles and triumphs of the animal farm. Marching in military formations. Green banner: LONG LIVE COMRADE NAPOLEON. Poems honouring Napoleon. Gun shots. Telling increases about the farm. - April. ANIMAL FARM A REPUBLIC: electing a president. Napoleon was the only candidate and was elected unanimously. - Moses, the rave, reappears talking about SUGARCANDY MOUNTAIN: that happy country where poor animals shall rest. Moses didn’t work and drank a gill of beer. - Boxer’s death. He was sent to the slaughter house. - Money earned from sales were used to buy whisky for the pings. Chapter 10: - Years passed. No one remembers the old days before the rebellion except Clover, Benjamin, Moses, and a number of pigs. - Muriel, Bluebell, Jessie and Pincher were dead - Mr. Jones too in another part of the country. In an inebriate's home - Snowball and Boxer were forgotten - More creatures come to the animal farm: 3 workers and stupid horses. - Farm. More prosperous and better organised. It has been enlarged by two fields which had been brought from Mr. Pilkington. - Windmill completed. Used to milling corn but not for electric power as Snowball was always dreamed. - Working on the build of another windmill. - Farm richer without making any animal richer except for pigs and dogs. - Only farm in the country - Squealer and the sheep. “Teaching a new song” - PIGS WALKING ON HIS LEGS - FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS BETTER - 1 COMMANDMENT: ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS - Pigs caring whip in his trotters - Pigs arranged to install a telephone and had taken out subscriptions to: John bell, Tit bits, and Daily Mirror - Napoleon with a pipe in this mouth - Pigs wearing Mr. jones’ clothes - Farmers were invited to make a tour of inspection - Human and pigs meeting; playing card games, giving speeches of prosperity and good relationship between them, and a toast  - Changes in the farm. New Name: The Manor farm as it used to be called when Mr. Jones was in charge. No more calling “Comrades” - Marching were suppressed also - Flag: green plain flag now - Violent quarrel between pigs and humans. They were alike. It was impossible to say which was which. Main characters description 1. Old Major Description: A wise and elderly boar who inspires the animals to rebel against humans. Characterization: ○ Represents Karl Marx or Vladimir Lenin, as he introduces the principles of Animalism (akin to Communism). ○ Visionary and idealistic, he dreams of a society where animals are free and equal. ○ His death early in the story leaves the animals without a guiding figure, leading to the corruption of his ideals. 2. Napoleon Description: A large, fierce-looking Berkshire boar who becomes the leader of Animal Farm. Characterization: ○ Symbolises Joseph Stalin. ○ Manipulative, power-hungry, and ruthless. ○ Gains control through fear, propaganda, and violence. ○ His rise to power illustrates the corruption of revolutionary ideals. 3. Snowball Description: A clever and articulate pig who competes with Napoleon for control of the farm. Characterization: ○ Represents Leon Trotsky.  ○ Visionary and committed to improving the farm (e.g., the windmill project). ○ Exiled by Napoleon, becoming a scapegoat for all the farm’s troubles. ○ Idealistic but ultimately outmanoeuvred by Napoleon's cunning. 4. Squealer Description: A small, fat pig with a persuasive and manipulative nature. Characterization: ○ Symbolises propaganda (e.g., Pravda in Soviet Russia). ○ Uses rhetoric and lies to justify Napoleon’s actions and policies. ○ Plays a critical role in maintaining control over the animals by distorting the truth. 5. Boxer Description: A hardworking, loyal, and strong cart-horse. Characterization: ○ Represents the proletariat (working class). ○ Dedicated to the farm's success, with his mottos: "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right." ○ Tragically exploited and betrayed by the leadership when he is sent to the slaughterhouse. 6. Clover Description: A gentle and caring female horse. Characterization: ○ Represents the sceptical but powerless working class. ○ Concerned about the changes on the farm but unable to challenge Napoleon's rule. ○ A maternal figure who comforts other animals. 7. Benjamin  Description: A cynical, wise old donkey. Characterization: ○ Represents intellectuals who understand oppression but choose not to act. ○ Observes corruption and hypocrisy but remains passive. ○ His scepticism proves accurate, as the farm deteriorates under Napoleon. 8. Mollie Description: A vain and self-absorbed mare. Characterization: ○ Represents the bourgeoisie who prefer comfort over freedom. ○ Leaves the farm when life becomes harder after the rebellion. ○ Obsessed with ribbons and sugar, which symbolise luxury and privilege. 9. The Sheep Description: Easily manipulated followers who blindly support Napoleon. Characterization: ○ Represent the unthinking masses who parrot propaganda. ○ Frequently interrupt debates with slogans like, "Four legs good, two legs bad." ○ Their loyalty reinforces Napoleon's control. 10. Mr. Jones Description: The original owner of Manor Farm, an irresponsible and often drunk farmer. Characterization: ○ Represents Tsar Nicholas II. ○ Neglectful and oppressive, his incompetence sparks the rebellion. ○ His return attempts fail as the animals unite against him. 11. Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Frederick Description: Neighbouring farmers with conflicting personalities. Characterization: ○ Pilkington (Foxwood) represents the Western Allies (e.g., the UK/US). ○ Frederick (Pinchfield) represents Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. ○ Both exploit and manipulate Animal Farm for their benefit. 12. Moses Description: A tame raven who tells tales of Sugarcandy Mountain. Characterization: ○ Symbolises religion used as a tool to placate the oppressed. ○ Offers hope of a better life in the afterlife while discouraging rebellion. ○ Supported by the pigs as a way to control the animals. More about Benjamin: 1. Personality and Traits Cynical and Pessimistic: Benjamin has a bleak view of life and the events unfolding on the farm. He frequently remarks that life has always been harsh and will continue to be so, regardless of who is in charge. Wise and Observant: Despite his cynicism, Benjamin is among the most intelligent animals on the farm. He recognizes the manipulations of the pigs and foresees the grim outcomes of their actions. Loyal and Quiet: Although reserved, Benjamin is deeply loyal to his friend Boxer, the hardworking cart-horse, and shows his affection by standing by him in critical moments. 2. Symbolism Benjamin represents the intellectual class or skeptics in a society—those who see through the lies and manipulations of leaders but often refrain from acting. His inaction can be interpreted as a critique of intellectuals who, despite understanding the oppression around them, do not rise to challenge it. 3. Key Actions in the Story Lack of Enthusiasm for the Rebellion: Unlike the other animals, Benjamin is not swept up in the excitement of the rebellion. He remains neutral and sceptical from the start. Refusal to Act: Even as conditions worsen under Napoleon's rule, Benjamin does little to resist or organise others, illustrating his deep resignation to the inevitability of suffering. Boxer’s Death: Benjamin's most emotional moment comes when Boxer is taken to the slaughterhouse. He tries to save his friend by rallying the other animals, but his efforts come too late. This scene demonstrates his capacity for care and regret, as well as the consequences of his previous passivity. 4. Notable Quotes "Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey." ○ This enigmatic line reflects Benjamin's long memory and his understanding of cycles of oppression throughout history. Reaction to the Commandments Changing: Though Benjamin notices the pigs altering the commandments, he chooses not to speak up, underscoring his resigned attitude. 5. Benjamin’s Role in the Allegory Benjamin embodies the intellectuals or sceptics who, though aware of injustices and corruption, often withdraw rather than engage. This passivity allows regimes like Napoleon's to flourish unchecked. His character is a cautionary tale about the dangers of apathy and the moral responsibility of those who understand the truth to act. The writer: George Orwell George Orwell (1903-1950), born Eric Arthur Blair, was a British writer, journalist, and essayist best known for his works 1984 and Animal Farm. His writing reflects his deep concerns about totalitarianism, social injustice, and the abuse of power. Orwell’s ideological beliefs are often associated with democratic socialism, and his work critiques both oppressive government systems and the inequality embedded within capitalist societies. Key Points of George Orwell's Ideology: 1. Anti-Totalitarianism: ○ Orwell strongly opposed totalitarian regimes, particularly Stalinist Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. ○ His famous works 1984 and Animal Farm illustrate the dangers of absolute power, surveillance, and propaganda. 2. Democratic Socialism: ○ Orwell advocated for democratic socialism, believing that power should be held by the people and not concentrated in the hands of the elite. ○ He rejected both capitalism and the authoritarian nature of Soviet socialism, seeing both as oppressive to the working class. 3. Critique of Class and Inequality: ○ Orwell was deeply concerned about class inequality, especially the plight of the poor and working-class. ○ He frequently explored class divisions in his writing, showing how economic and social systems trap people in cycles of poverty and exploitation. 4. Importance of Free Speech and Individual Rights: ○ Orwell championed individual freedom, particularly freedom of speech, and criticized censorship, propaganda, and thought control. ○ He believed that free speech was essential for a healthy society and a democratic government. 5. The Dangers of Propaganda and Manipulation: ○ Orwell warned about how language and media could be manipulated by the state or powerful institutions to control thought and perception. ○ In 1984, concepts like "Newspeak" and "doublethink" illustrate how language can be distorted to limit critical thinking and dissent. 6. Rejection of Ideological Purity: ○ Orwell was skeptical of ideological purity, whether from communism, fascism, or any political system that sought to impose one rigid worldview. ○ He believed that the pursuit of a perfect society often led to oppressive practices and loss of individual freedoms. 7. Social Justice and Human Rights: ○ Orwell cared deeply about social justice, advocating for the protection of the most vulnerable in society. ○ He focused on issues such as poverty, oppression, racism, and the exploitation of the working class, calling for a more humane and equitable society. 8. Anti-Imperialism: ○ Orwell was critical of imperialism and the exploitation of colonised peoples. ○ His experiences as a police officer in Burma shaped his anti-imperialist stance, which he explored in works like Burmese Days and Shooting an Elephant. 9. Personal Integrity and Truth: ○ Orwell believed in the importance of personal integrity and honesty, even in the face of political or social pressures. ○ He saw truth as a powerful weapon against corruption, propaganda, and authoritarianism.