Summary and Historical Context: Animal
Farm: Plot: English Literature: GCSE (9:1)
Allegory - ANSA story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale
itself. In 'Animal Farm', the story is intended to reflect the historical events around the Russian
Revolution.
Fable - ANSA fictitious story, often with animal characters, designed to teach a lesson of a moral
kind.
Satire - ANSWhere a literary work uses irony or derisive wit to expose a folly or wickedness.
'Animal Farm' satirises the leaders involved in the Russian Revolution.
Irony - ANSUse of words to convey the opposite of literal meaning; inconsistence between
what's expected and what actually occurs. The Russian Revolution was intended to improve the
lives of those in Russia but instead it increased their poverty and hardship.
Maxim - ANSA short statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct, like a slogan.
Communism - ANS"extreme" socialism; characterized by the absence of social class & shared
ownership of production means (all share=all equal)
Socialism - ANSan economic system in which there is no private ownership but government
managed production and distribution of goods
Totalitarianism - ANSgovernment in which a single ruler or party has absolute power
Dictator - ANSA ruler, tyrant, with absolute authority
Propaganda - ANSMethods to convey information in an effort to manipulate opinion.
Historical Revisonism - ANSChange of historical facts to benefit an individual or groups
intentions
Bourgeoisie - ANSMiddle class capitalist; own most of the wealth and control the means of
production
Proletariat - ANSworking class wage earners, producers who do NOT own businesses and land.
Bolshevik - ANS"majority) party led by Lenin that seized power after the Russia revolution and
set up a proletariat dictatorship
Farm: Plot: English Literature: GCSE (9:1)
Allegory - ANSA story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale
itself. In 'Animal Farm', the story is intended to reflect the historical events around the Russian
Revolution.
Fable - ANSA fictitious story, often with animal characters, designed to teach a lesson of a moral
kind.
Satire - ANSWhere a literary work uses irony or derisive wit to expose a folly or wickedness.
'Animal Farm' satirises the leaders involved in the Russian Revolution.
Irony - ANSUse of words to convey the opposite of literal meaning; inconsistence between
what's expected and what actually occurs. The Russian Revolution was intended to improve the
lives of those in Russia but instead it increased their poverty and hardship.
Maxim - ANSA short statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct, like a slogan.
Communism - ANS"extreme" socialism; characterized by the absence of social class & shared
ownership of production means (all share=all equal)
Socialism - ANSan economic system in which there is no private ownership but government
managed production and distribution of goods
Totalitarianism - ANSgovernment in which a single ruler or party has absolute power
Dictator - ANSA ruler, tyrant, with absolute authority
Propaganda - ANSMethods to convey information in an effort to manipulate opinion.
Historical Revisonism - ANSChange of historical facts to benefit an individual or groups
intentions
Bourgeoisie - ANSMiddle class capitalist; own most of the wealth and control the means of
production
Proletariat - ANSworking class wage earners, producers who do NOT own businesses and land.
Bolshevik - ANS"majority) party led by Lenin that seized power after the Russia revolution and
set up a proletariat dictatorship
