Interview with George Orwell and Jonathan Swift
Interview with George Orwell and Jonathan Swift P/ Hello and welcome to 'Interviewest', the interviews we are having today are probably two of the most eagerly anticipated interviews ever. Satires are books that poke fun at events that have happened or are happening, and are usually cleverly put under disguise by changing the characters or giving the book an unusual title and so on. They are often thoroughly enjoyable containing complex literature and layer upon layer of thought and disguise. The most successful books tend to go a little further and have a powerful, hidden meaning in the storyline, telling the true feelings and opinions of the writer. Some of the best known satires are written about famous events. Satires are often humorous and sarcastic, the majority of them are written about politics. George Orwell 1903 - 1950 was a socialist and has written many political books. The one we are considering today, 'Animal Farm' was a satire written about the Russian revolution and has proved a great success. Other books include 'Burmese days' through the times when he worked in Burma and 'Down and out in London and Paris' through the times when he lived in Paris. Jonathan Swift - 1600's wrote a powerful satire in the times of poverty in Ireland while he was Bishop of Dublin concerning the potato famine and cruel ruling of England, called 'A Modest Proposal', written in the
1984, and Animal Farm.
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. " -Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) In the 1st 50 years of the 20th Century, it came to pass that revolutionary upheavals in the name of social progress and the utopian ideal brought humanity to the gates of destruction. Out of the flames of war arose several colossuses that bestrode the globe. One of these, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, was founded on the ideals of social equality and sharing. Instead the people of the USSR had a nightmare unleashed on them unrivaled in the annals of human history. Only once in the passing of human fictional literature has the acute horror of this regime been displayed once, much less twice. Only one man has the insight and the genius to portray this regime for what it was, a failed experiment of fatally flawed ideology. Only he understood that in the end, humans cannot defeat human nature, because it is inherit in themselves. To truly understand the role that these two books, 1984, and Animal Farm played in our society, we must first understand the man that penned them. Eric Arthur Blair was born in 1903 in the Indian Village of Motihari, which lies near the border of Nepal in north-eastern India. During this period the Indian sub-continent was part of the British
Changes of regimes on "Animal Farm"
Changes of regimes on "Animal Farm" From the beginning of the story the animals felt untreated by Jones. The revolution was a major change waiting to happen. The animals therefore ruled over the land having an increase in food rations and treated equally. Old Major, from the beginning of his speech quoted that "All animals are equal!" During the story, the pigs take over the land as being the cleverest on the farm. They are the brains of the farm and make all decisions being like a human from the beginning but showing no aims to treat all the other animals unequally. The change during the story was that the pigs became greedy. This led them to treat the other animals unequally making the farm in control as dictatorship. The pigs became increasingly greedy. The animals sensed this but "You don't want Jones to come back?" and the famous words from Boxer "Napoleon is always right" were two statements, which always were referred back to, to keep order in power by the pigs. The commandments that had been written by Snowball himself had been broken! This was a crime, as the animals had no idea what happened, as they could not read. This caused problems as the rules were broken and the animals were ruled by force (the same as Jones). From the beginning of the story, the revolution was because Jones had no concern for the animals. This was to give no rations of food to the
Animal farm - How has Orwell's writing in this extract affected your response to the events he described?
How has Orwell's writing in this extract affected your response to the events he described? George Orwell has used many techniques of writing such as irony and humour to portray significant events throughout Animal Farm. This extract, just after the slaughter of the 'disloyal' animals (one of the most emotive of the events in the book), is no exception and so I will be analysing and interpreting the response of readers as well as making links to other parts in the book. 'Loud singing' could be heard from the farmhouse, this is just after the pigs have come across a 'case of whiskey'. It is not the singing itself, which is the 'surprise' to the animals but the song that is being sung, Beasts of England. Beasts of England, the song of rebellion and hope, has just been banned. The banishment of the song stood for the destruction of old Major's vision of a 'perfect unity' between animals. Also the song signifies rebellion and so Napoleon has forbidden it to extinguish any fighting spirit against his dictator-led regime. The pigs, after being intoxicated, lose all their inhibitions; it seems ironic how they are now relying on their natural instincts rather than their brains. Them singing Beasts of England is hypocritical of the banishment, and supports the readers dislike of the pigs. Napoleon is seen wearing a 'Bowler hat' and 'gallop rapidly round the yard', this is the
Animal Farm by George Orwell - Comparison of Orwell's Original Novel with the animated film version directed by John Halas and Joy Batchelor (remastered 1993).
Animal Farm Comparative Essay By Charlotte Gatehouse November 2002 1SD GCSE English / GCSE English Literature Post-1914 prose text Animal Farm by George Orwell Teacher: S Webber Comparison of Orwell's Original Novel with the animated film version directed by John Halas and Joy Batchelor (remastered 1993). In many ways the animated film version of Animals farm has stayed faithful to the original Novel by Orwell, although there are several significant changes from the original made by the film-makers. In the novel very little descriptive detail is given to the reader about the farm at the beginning of the novel; instead Orwell describes Mr Jones and his behaviour. Evidence of this is on page 1, chapter 1, where Orwell writes, "Mr. Jones, of the Manor Farm, had locked the hen-houses for the night, but was too drunk to remember to shut the pop-holes." Also Orwell writes on page 1 chapter 1 "... kicking off his boots at the back door, drew himself a last glass of beer from the barrel in the scullery, and made his way up to bed, where Mrs. Jones was already snoring." These descriptions tell the readers that both Mr and Mrs Jones are very neglectful towards the farm, as Mr Jones does not lock up the chickens properly leaving them in danger of being killed by foxes. And Mrs Jones does not even make any attempt to close the farm down for the night. This shows that they do
Animal Farm - "Old Major's idea of Utopia would have been achieved if we were to combine the brains of Benjamin with the brawn of Boxer to oust Napoleon and bring back Snowball." To what extent would you agree with this statement?
Q7: "Old Major's idea of Utopia would have been achieved if we were to combine the brains of Benjamin with the brawn of Boxer to oust Napoleon and bring back Snowball." To what extent would you agree with this statement? Under Napoleon's dictatorship, equality and freedom of speech were unheard of. Old Major's dream of utopia was unfulfilled. The animals could not raise dissident voices as Napoleon had his powerful tools of suppression: the dogs. They were under the illusion that they were free and their labour was for their own benefits,. Their lives were miserable and laborious - parallel to or even worse than during Jones' era. Yet the animals blindly accepted the twisted words and lies of Squealer. Maybe life would have been better if Snowball had not been exiled. Maybe Benjamin and Boxer could oust Napoleon, and bring Snowball back. Would such a situation bring hope to Old Major's dream of Utopia? Yes, to a certain extent, but the animals' flaws may outweigh their strengths, bringing about downfall, and Utopia would still be unattainable. Snowball was always doing something to further the aims of Animalism. He constantly came out with schemes and plans for improving the efficiency of the farm and also organizes endless committees for the animals. This shows his concern for the farm, which goes to show that his presence could bring about Utopia. Furthermore, Snowball
Presentation - to what extent was the revolution planned
John Saunders and Michael Shepherd (11R) Presentation - Animal Farm. JS: In this presentation, we will talk about how Napoleon planned his take-over, and how he seized opportunities that he had. We will also explain how important these points are, and why. ---------------------------Planned--------------------------- MS: Planned - Napoleon trained the puppies, so that he could later intimidate the other animals with them. Although it was opportunistic that the puppies were born, he purposely trained them throughout the rebellion, so that he could rule by force, if or when he took power from Snowball. This was important, because if Napoleon didn't have a line of defence, then he would have been likely to be overthrown before he got into absolute power (at the end of the book), because of what he was doing to the other animals. JS: Napoleon kept putting the blame on Snowball, so that it was shifted from himself (he was demonised). Whenever things went wrong later in the book, Snowball was to blame. This was so that they had a 'scape-goat', so that if anything were done, they would soon dismiss the fact that the main problems were often because it was Napoleon who changed or bent the rules. For example, Squealer said on behalf of Napoleon: "The resolution against engaging in trade and using money had never been passed. It was pure imagination, probably traceable in the
Symbolism/Interpretation in Animal Farm
Symbolism/Interpretation in Animal Farm When Orwell published Animal Farm in 1945, a popular belief held that the Soviet Union was an honorable nation. Orwell hoped to write a novel that exposed the murderous truth of the Soviet System; he employed allegory to show a truth that remained unclear to many. As an allegory on early 20th Century Russia, ANIMAL FARM introduces its audience to a wide array of characters--each serving as a symbol. The table below provides a list of fictional characters, events, and items from the film ANIMAL FARM, and the real-life counterparts they appear to represent. Consider how each character could also be interpreted to have a larger, broader meaning. Farmer Jones : The farmer stands for the Russian Czar Nicolas II who was forced to abdicate after the successful February Revolution. In addition, Mr. Jones symbolizes the evils of capitalism, and the moral decline of men under this type of society. Humans: The humans stand for the capitalists, who exploit the weak. The gradual transformation of the pigs into human-like creatures represents the process by which the revolution's leaders became corrupted. Whether capitalist or communist in name, the underlying reality of many political systems is tyranny. Old Major: Many believe Orwell made Old Major a symbol for Karl Marx, the father of the Communist belief system. Both Old Major and Karl
I have always believed in equality among society and after reading George Orwell's horrific novel Animal Farm, I was left feeling shocked and disgusted by the deceitfulness and greed of the pigs.
Animal Farm Critical Response By Rachel Salter I have always believed in equality among society and after reading George Orwell's horrific novel Animal Farm, I was left feeling shocked and disgusted by the deceitfulness and greed of the pigs. Animal Farm is not only an allegory for the Russian Revolution but a thought-provoking and dynamic story. From the beginning of the book it is clear that the pigs are the most intelligent of all the animals so they immediately take control after the rebellion. Some of the 'elite' pigs have already adopted some of mans ways; Snowball and Napoleon have suddenly taught themselves to read and write. At this point it became apparent to me that the pigs would desire leadership positions. "The pigs did not actually work but supervised the others." Napoleon is forever perceived as greedy and selfish. An example of this is being when a bucket of milk mysteriously disappears. Napoleon (who evidently drank it) dismisses the problem by proclaiming "the harvest is more important". The true nature of Napoleon is discovered after he slaughters a small group of his fellow comrades for plotting against him. He tortures them and forces them to confess which is what Stalin did during the 1930's as a means of getting rid of his enemies. This highlights the atrocities of the regime. Both Snowball and Napoleon yearned for leadership positions.
Trace carefully the stages by which the Pigs take control of Animal Farm
Trace carefully the stages by which the Pigs take control of Animal Farm Animal Farm is a satirical beast fable, containing a parallel to the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalin, it has though more meaningfully an anatomy of all political revolutions, where the revolutionary ideals of justice, equality, and fraternity shatter in the event. Animal Farm was constructed on a circular basis to illustrate the futility of the revolution. The novel is a series of dramatic repudiations of the Seven Commandments by the insatiable thirst for power of the pigs, and a return to the tyranny and irresponsibility of the beginning. The only change will be in the identity of the masters and ironically, that will be only partially changed. Although the original intention of overthrowing Mr. Jones, and replacing him with the system of Animalism is not inherently evil in itself (indeed, the animals strived to create an utopian society based on equality and prosperity). Napoleon's subsequent rise to power and adoption of nearly all of Mr. Jones principles and harsh mistreatment of the "lesser" animals proves to the readers that indeed Animalism is not equality, but just another form of inequality. The pigs and the dogs take most of the authority for themselves, in creeping stages (which are not obvious to the "lesser" animals, which the narrator described as "stupid"). However, ultimately
