Animal Farm

by George Orwell

Although first published in 1945 Animal Farm has relevant meaning for today's society.  This allegorical fable reminds us that power can be used to abuse and manipulate others.  The story begins with an idealistic vision for the farm and ends with corruption and tyranny.  This story stands for types of people and ideas that can be applied to any time period.

Students will be expected to complete a wide variety of tasks while reading this novel.  Students will increase vocabulary, draw parallels between the fable and human nature, expand their knowledge and use of literary elements, and complete a variety of projects.   Students will be able to interpret and analyze the literature.  Students will also have several writing connections with this body of work. 

Specific Objectives:

1.  Students will gain an understanding of the structure of society.

    A.  Use and abuse of power.

    B.  Roles of individuals.

    C.  Societal rules.

2.  Students will analyze and interpret the text.

3.  Students will identify and study the themes of the book.

4.  Students will identify and analyze propaganda techniques used throughout the book.

5.  Students will improve reading and fluency skills by reading out loud, reading silently, and following along in text while listening. 

6.  Students will answer questions, complete projects, participate in class discussions, and in peer discussions to demonstrate their understanding of the text.

7.  Students will enhance their vocabulary through exposure and use of words from the text.

8.  Students will enhance and demonstrate their abilities to write to inform, persuade, and express.  Students will write to check for comprehension.  Students will write to process, analyze and think logically about the text.

9.  Students will participate in discussions, present projects, and share writings to improve public speaking skill and social interactions skills.

Literary Elements: Fable, Allegory, Symbolism, Point of View, Irony

Fable: A fable is usually short, written in either verse or prose, and has a moral or message.

Allegory: A typed of fiction that has multiple levels of meaning.  Animal Farm is about a group of animals, but it also represents a group of people and ideals.

Symbolism: Using one thing such as a character or a setting to represent another.

Point of View: Understanding the thoughts and feelings of a certain character.  For example in this novel the readers get an understanding for the animals points of view, but not the pigs or the farmers.

Irony: Irony is created when there is a disparity of what the audience would expect and what really happens.  In Animal Farm the limited point of view helps to create the dramatic irony.  The dramatic irony is a result of what the animals understood and what the audience is able to conclude.

Sources: http://turnerlearning.com/tntlearning/animalfarm/index.html , http://www.enotes.com/animal-lesson/unit-objectives