ANIMAL FARM Chapter 1

Karl Marx and Communism

WHO IS KARL MARX? A German intellectual/philosopher Many of the ideals behind the Soviet

revolution were based on his writings and teachings

MARX

WHAT DID HE BELIEVE?Societies are divided into two

segments: Proletariat. The working class (creates all

the products)

Capitalists The owner class (enjoys all the

benefits)

This class division leads to inequality and

oppression of working class

How did Marx view his world?The great masses of people are poor and kept poor by the “exploiters,”

The capitalists were few in number, but had money and power. They took advantage of the “working class”

What was Marx’s Vision?

Marx believed a revolution would be necessary to throw off the shackles of the oppressor (the rich).

Marx believed that a revolution would achieve these results: There would be a classless society

Everyone would be equal There would be no more owners There would be no more exploited masses

Capitalism Economic System where production and

distribution of goods is privately owned

Business owners can profit immensely(Marx called them “capitalists”)

Workers get paid for their degree of work

Capitalism…think of it this way

You have two cows, you sell one and buy a bull.

Capitalism

Some may claim their work deserves greater pay or recognition

If workers are treated poorly enough they might demand revolutionary changes

If inequality and poor treatment reaches a certain point

Capitalism can

lead to…

Socialism A system where the collective (everyone) or

government decides: How goods will be produced and

distributed to the people The goal is to give work and goods equally

to all Thus maximizing happiness and well-being

for all

Socialism …think of it this way

In theoryYou have two

cows, you give one to a neighbor.

In Practice:You have two cows, the government takes one and gives it to a neighbor.

If corruption, greed, or ambition for power are unleashed

Socialism can lead to…

Communism A socialist system of government The government is more authoritarian (bossy) They claim to make progress toward a better,

equitable society All human activity goes towards benefiting

each other But the only ones benefitting are the

government elite and their inner circle.

Communism …think of it this way

You have two cows. You give them to the government. The government gives you part of the milk.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Matthew_Stannard/Scratch/jokes

A term used to describe Communism under Stalin’s rule.

Marked by extreme governmental control.

The use of a secret police, propaganda, and especially brutal tactics of political coercion

Stalinism

You have two cows. You are forced to take care of them, but the government takes all the milk. Then the government sends you to prison.

.

Stalinism …think of it this way

If left unchecked

The most extreme governments

become Totalitarian

TotalitarianismAny Government that controls nearly

every aspect of public and private behavior

Do not tolerate activities by individuals or groups (labor unions, churches and political parties) that are not directed toward the state's goals

Totalitarianism

Maintain power by: Secret police Propaganda spread through the

state-controlled mass media Restriction of free discussion and

criticism Widespread use of terror tactics

Totalitarianism…think of it this wayYou have two cows. The

government takes them and denies they ever existed. Milk is banned. You disappear and are written out of history.

Chapter 1 Summary Major Wishes to pass his wisdom

Talks about miserable lives and manipulation/born as slaves• Could live in luxury given the resources• Use the products of their labors

Dream from the Previous Night Live free and happy Animals vs. humans (2 legged walking ‘creatures’) Once they take the humans they can’t acquire their

traits• Ex: live in a house, sleep in beds, drink, smoke,

handle money, wear clothes, trade “Beasts of England” ---an animal Utopia

Mr. Jones fires a shotgun and stops the commotion

Chapter 1 Analysis “Beasts of England”- the animals will finally be free

from man’s domination—enjoy the fruits of their labors

The song words lead to a ‘Utopian Ideal’ Major’s simple belief is that ‘Man’ is the only reason

for their evil Makes it easy for anyone non human to buy in to

the situation Idea touches on class struggle, surplus value, and

exploitation Idea is sincere, but it’s unrealistic—just like . . . Major states: “All animals are equal”

Marx dies just as Old Major-leaving his work unfinished

Ch. 1=Historic to period before and during WWI

Russian Revolution – Karl Marx/Lenin

Invented communism.

“Workers of the world unite,” take over the government.

Dies before the Russian Revolution.

Animal Farm – Old MajorTaught AnimalismWorkers do the work, rich keep the money, animals revolt.

Dies before the Rebellion

Russian Revolution – Czar Nicholas II

A poor leader at best compared to western kings.

Cruel –sometimes with brutal opponents

Sometimes kind –paid students to work as spies

Animal Farm - Mr. JonesIrresponsible to his animals – he lets them starve

Sometimes cruel – he beats them with a whip

Sometimes kind – he mixes milk in animal mash

Russian Revolution - CommunismAll people are equalGovernment owns everything, people own the government.

Animal Farm – AnimalismWorkers get a better life, all animals are equal.

Everyone owns the farm.

Animal FarmChapter 1

The Music Motif andParody in Action

Old Major’s SpeechParody of lofty, revolutionary

speechesImitates the language and styleMocks the held belief that such

speeches:◦Make promises of a better tomorrow◦Urge radical action◦Outline the values/beliefs of the people

Beasts of England, Beasts of Ireland,Beasts of every land and clime,Hearken to my joyful tidingsOf the Golden future time.

Soon or late the day is coming,Tyrant Man shall be o'erthrown,And the fruitful fields of EnglandShall be trod by beasts alone.

Rings shall vanish from our noses,And the harness from our back,Bit and spur shall rust forever,Cruel whips no more shall crack.

Riches more than mind can picture,Wheat and barley, oats and hay,Clover, beans and mangel-wurzelsShall be ours upon that day.

Bright will shine the fields of England,Purer shall its waters be,Sweeter yet shall blow its breezesOn the day that sets us free.

For that day we all must labour,Though we die before it break;Cows and horses, geese and turkeys,All must toil for freedom's sake.

Beasts of England, Beasts of Ireland,Beasts of every land and clime,Hearken well, and spread my tidingsOf the Golden future time

“Beasts of England” Lyrics

Role of Music in Animal Farm

Songs of Protest ActivityRead Packet Page 34-DirectionsListen to-read-the “Beasts of England”

◦The lyrics in packet are slightly different than the book. This doesn’t affect anything

Answer questions 1-2. Leave #4 BlankShare Responses

In class:Listen to-read-“Imagine” pg. 38.Answer questions 1-4

“Beasts of England”Parodies the Left-Wing Socialist

anthem “The Internationale”◦Became the National Anthem of

Communist Russia◦Reflects the principles of Marxism◦“Beasts of England” reflects the

principles of Animalism