Day Three

1. Day Three Introduction to Animal Farm 

2. In case you are absent – please watch all videos found on these slides!  Agenda: 1. Watch some background videos to begin understanding concepts/literary techniques found in Animal Farm.  2. Learn a little background on the Russian Revolution.  3. Read Background Information on Animal Farm and begin answering discussion questions to prepare for a class discussion.   4. Study guide for Background and Chapters 1-3 quiz

3. Allegory, Fable, Satire Allegory, fable and satire are literary terms that describe types of stories. These story types have been used throughout literary history and describe many famous works. An allegory, fable or satire may be told in prose or in verse. An individual story may fall under one or multiple combinations of these categories.

4. Allegory An allegory describes a story that has both a literal meaning and a second level of meaning. This second level of meaning may be political or historical, with characters representing important historical people, or it may be more conceptual, with characters embodying certain ideas or principles. For instance in John Milton's "Paradise Lost," the character of Satan has two children named Sin and Death who serve as embodiments of the principles of their namesakes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3iXy-I2PEg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lg4vjRY4Ts

5. Allegory Example of Allegory: Three Little Pigs: The story is literally about the three little pigs who leave home, build different types of homes, and are pursued by a big bad wolf. The story is actually about the results of a person's work ethic in life. The straw and stick houses represent laziness, or enjoyment over hard work, and the result is a disaster. The brick house represents hard work and the result is fortitude against adversity. One of the most famous allegories of all time is George Orwell's Animal Farm.

6. Satire A satire is a work of literature that derides a particular subject. Because it often derides its subject by evoking laughter from an audience, satire represents a type of comedy. For instance, Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" satirizes the British Victorian upper classes, deriding their manners and morals. https://youtu.be/XvhHsRAwDz4

7. Fable A fable represents a type of allegory, often illustrating a moral through the use of animal characters. Aesop's Fables are examples of this genre. For instance, in "The Tortoise and the Hare," a hare makes fun of a tortoise for being slow. But, when the two race, the hare thinks he is so fast that he can afford to take a break. The tortoise, who maintains a regular pace, wins. The moral of the story is "slow and steady wins the race."

8. Animal Farm A single work can combine elements of an allegory, fable and satire. For example, the novel "Animal Farm" by George Orwell is full of farm animal characters who represent Russian historical figures. The novel satirizes Communist ideas through the events and actions that the animals engage in on the farm. The story works as an allegory. On one level it is about animals living on a farm but, on another level, it is about the history of Russian Communism. The animal characters who possess human qualities make the story a fable and the novel's use of exaggeration and ridicule make it a satire. https://youtu.be/vXhi0eaR0-c

9. Why would we study the Russian Revolution in English Class? In my experience, students either LOVE or HATE Animal Farm. And I know exactly why! Imagine watching an SNL skit where the actors are portraying characters and making fun of a show that you have never seen before. Would you find it funny? NO! Because you wouldn’t know what they are making fun of! Sometimes SNL starts out with a political sketch and has a character dressed up as someone in leadership. They satirize a speech or situation, and include outrageous exaggeration to make a point. If you have no idea what REAL topic/situation/speech they are making fun of, then it’s just not funny because it makes no sense!

10. Building Background Let’s learn a little bit about the story (Russian Revolution) behind the story (Animal Farm).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJuBX1p0Gys http://www.history.com/topics/russian-revolution Watch these videos to help understand Communism and Socialism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrtDZ-LOXFw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goUBuAWO7Xc Read as a class: Russian Revolution hand out from Common Lit. Mrs. Jones will explain in more detail as we read! 

11. Animal Farm Background - reading HOMEWORK!!!!! Read the handout: Animal Farm Background Answer the Animal Farm Discussion Questions and be prepared to discuss the questions next class.  Thoughtfully respond to the questions with answers you will be proud to share with your classmates. Remember to write two questions of your own.  Continue reading your independent reading book at home. 

12. While you are working If you are stuck on a question . . . then read back through the text. If you are still unsure, skip the question and come back to it later. If you finish early . . . Read back through each response. Can you elaborate? Embellish each answer with additional details from the text.