Example+Analysis+-+Mr.+Stephens

Chapter 1

Note: Mr. Stephens' book has different page numbers.

1. Summary - oral presentation in class. 2. Allegorical Connections (What is the 'below the surface meaning?) 3. Symbols 4. Satire 5. Character Change 6. Twisting of logic and history to serve political ends 7. Propaganda and doublespeak 8. Abuse of power 9. Questions:
 * Manor Farm represents a society where the few are privileged (man), while the majority suffer (animals)
 * Man lives in the house while the animals live in a barn
 * Mr. Jones is a dictatorial / totalitarian type of ruler
 * too drunk to properly take care of the animals - concerned about himself rather than his 'people' (3)
 * immediately resorts to violence when there is a problem by blasting away with his gun (14)
 * Old Major is the political philosopher (maybe religious leader) that shows the true path - the way to happiness
 * he claims to understand the nature of life, "Let us face it: our lives are miserable, laborious, and short." (6)
 * "The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth." (7)
 * he knows the source of their suffering, "It is summed up in a single word - Man." (7)
 * the way to happiness: "Only get rid of Man, and the produce of our labour would be our own. Almost overnight we could become rich and free." (9)
 * he warns his followers about potential dangers, "And remember also that in fighting against Man, we must not come to resemble him." (11)
 * he presents things in overly broad generalizations to win people to his side. For example he says, "Only get rid of Man, and the produce of our labour would be our own. Almost overnight we could become rich and free." (7)
 * instantly rich and free - sounds like a utopia
 * the animals represent the wide variety of people found in society
 * Boxer is the strong, yet unintelligent type, "he was not of first-rate intelligence, but he was universally respected for his steadiness of character and tremendous powers of work." (5)
 * Benjamin is the humorless skeptic, "Alone among the animals on the farm he never laughed. If asked why, he would say that he saw nothing to laugh at." (5)
 * the eager types, the pigs and dogs are the first in the barn (4)
 * Old Major encourages a communist type of revolution
 * "Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers." (10)
 * "All animals are equal." (11)
 * "And amoung us animals let there be perfect unity, perfect comradeship in the struggle." (11)
 * the barn - poor living conditions of the people
 * the farmhouse - luxury of the ruling elite
 * Manor Farm - a country under the rule of a monarchy
 * ridicule - the political philosopher / religious leader is a pig
 * hyperbole - everyone will be rich and free if Man is abolished
 * hyperbole - "All the habits of Man are evil." (11) - Old Major only speaks in absolute terms
 * ridicule - Old Major is sitting on a raised platform - like a religious or political leader
 * ridicule - the singing of Beasts of England causes the animals to go wild (13). This is making fun of unreflective acceptance of political ideas by the masses. No one bothers to ask any questions.
 * no characters change in this section, introductions only
 * Old Major says, "I have had a long life, I have had much time for thought as I lay alone in my stall, and I think I may say that I understand the nature of life on this earth as well as any animal now living" (6). A long life does not automatically mean that an individual is wise - not logical. Old Major wants people to believe him, so he attempts to establish himself as wise and knowledgeable.
 * repetition - Old Major's continual use of the word "comrad."
 * slogan - the song, Beasts of England
 * promises a golden future
 * beasts will rule alone
 * free from suffering
 * rich!!!
 * a bright, happy world
 * will die for the new world
 * a time in the future
 * This song is pure propaganda - it promises utopia - just follow the teachings of Old Major!
 * oversimplification - "All men are enemies. All animals are comrades" (10). The situation is really not this simple. We will find that some of the animals are just as bad as the men.
 * scapegoat - "Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever" (7). Man is blamed for all the problems that the animals have - this makes Old Major sound wise, and it makes his plan sound simple.
 * Old Major claims that Man uses his power to unjustly take advantage of all animals (6-14).
 * Mr. Jones seems to neglect his animals (3).