The Official LitNet AF homework help thread - get your answers here!

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Originally Posted by RickyLPH

Well hello, I have an IGCSE Coursework to do on Animal Farm, "What strategies do the pigs use to suppress the other animals on the farm?"

And help or ideas anyone please??? :)

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Psychology/disinformation to begin with - "Who wants to see Jones back?" "Surely, none of you want Jones to return?" along with the reports on how much better things are since the revolution than before the revolution. Changing the commandments. All mirror tactics of those used in Russia.

Because simple disinformation & propaganda camapigns can only go so far, other methods are needed to ensure power continuance - enter the dogs. The dogs are the KGB (more correctly, the OGPU, in Orwell's day, I think) and they keep dissent down by instilling a climate of fear and state violence - the animals have seen their kin massacred, they now understand that to show dissent is to die.

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Originally Posted by RickyLPH

Well hello, I have an IGCSE Coursework to do on Animal Farm, "What strategies do the pigs use to suppress the other animals on the farm?"

And help or ideas anyone please??? :)

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Just to keep it all in the one place, I've answered this in the AF homework thread, at the top of the forum page.

Or, you can just click this link!

Thank you... :)

It really helped, i didn't get the Dogs idea. But i got the rest thnx... ;)

Help Me Please!

i am so confused!

thank you all soo much!

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Originally Posted by frostedflake

I am wrighting a paper for my av. english class & the teacher asked me to compair and contrast the setting of Animal Farm to todays's modern world.

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Ok, this is easy:

When Orwell wrote Animal Farm, the Russian Revolution was long in the past, >20 years, and was written against the backdrop of WWII. Orwell notably didn't seek to have the book published until he was sure Russia/USSR would survive the war.

Orwell wanted to point out what he saw as the evil in Stalinism and his brand of totalitarianism - quite rightly as history showed. The world situation was one of enormous upheaval, almost every country having just finished its involvement in WWII, and the political landscape of the world was changing rapidly.

Because Orwell wanted to cover the period from the Russian Revolution in 1917, through to the end of WWII, in 1945, he started Animal Farm at a time just before the Revolution - say about 1914 - 1916, a time when Russia had major problems with famine, the tragedies of WWI and a ruler - the Tsar - who behaved very much as Jones does in AF: aloof, uncaring, selfish. The Russian people rose in revolution exactly as the animals did in AF.

Compare that to today:

The world is largely stable, apart from a couple of [historically] minor conflicts, at present. Those conflicts will not change the shape of the world, WWII certainly did. The USSR no longer exists and has been gone for over 15 years, which I'm guessing is most of your life? Russia is a country at peace with itself and its neighbours and it has the appearance of a democracy.

Today, famine is largely the domain of developing nations, so Orwell would find it very hard to simulate the happenings of Manor Farm and relate it to a particular country or philosophy.

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Originally Posted by j534

ok so my topic for my short answer is:

Some people believe that power is corrupt.

A. List two things Napolean does where he uses his power.

B. Prove how he uses his power in an unfair way.

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Piece of cake!

Napoleon changes the truth by insisting something else happened - this is an action known as propaganda and has been used by mankind since communication started.

Here is a very brief list of some of Napoleon's propaganda - others are easy to find:

1. Changing the facts of the Battle of the Cowshed to make Snowball appear a traitor instead of a hero.
   
2. Getting Squealer to change the Commandments to suit himself.
   
3. Claiming the windmill was his idea all along.
   
4. Overstating his own actions in the Battle of the Cowshed to make him appear heroic.
   
5. Changing allegiance from one neighbour to the other.
   
6. Selling Boxer to the knacker's yard.
   
7. Reducing rations while claiming they were going up.

Given that the premise of the Revolution is "All animals are equal", you could use any of Napoleon's propaganda as being "unfair", but the ration situation is an ideal example - animal rations dropped and all milk, eggs and apples were reserved for the pigs, along with foodstuffs to turn into alcohol, while the other animals were given barely sufficient, and less than had been the case under Jones.

Another good one is the changing the last remaining Commandment to, "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others" which gives absolute proof of his unfairness; it puts into words that equality [fairness] does not exist any more.

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Originally Posted by j534

I have one or two ideas to put down for it but i just dont wanna sound stupid lol so i was just hoping someone could help me out.

thanks :)

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Hope that does the trick. If not, keep asking until it does!

Cheers

Thankss

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Originally Posted by Anslee

I need to write a reflective essay on Animal Farm for summer reading.
I have until around August 4th to write it because school starts on August
6th.
If someone could help maybe explain some of these things and how they were in the book I would love it!

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Looks pretty straightforward, and no doubt Bazarov can help me out. I'll give you a few starters and I do suggest you read the rest of this thread as it will hang it all together nicely for you.

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Originally Posted by Anslee

1. It has multiple levels of meaning.

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It is a morality story in its own right and it's an allegorical story of the Russian Revolution and early years of the USSR.

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Originally Posted by Anslee

2. It has effective unique style.

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The title says it all. How many great works of literature swap humans for animals to make a point? Especially one as compelling as AF?

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Originally Posted by Anslee

3. Strong irony, paradox, and/or ambiguity.

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Irony aplenty in the overthrow of humans, only to replace the regime with - exactly the same thing! Very strong irony indeed.

I guess you could stretch the animals acting like humans into the paradox category. I wouldn't term it that way myself, but it's the closest you'll find.

Ambiguity's an interesting one; Orwell was one of the least-ambiguous writers and nothing springs to mind as ambiguous. I'll give it more thought and come back later if I can find any examples, but they certainly haven't ever jumped out at me. I'll give one suggestion, because of the "paradox" question - the windmill, why it was destroyed, the design of it and the rebuilding. The animals were all told different lies, so it isn't really ambiguity, but it's the closest I can get immediately.

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Originally Posted by Anslee

4. Truth of experience, life, significance, humanity, compassion, justice, integrity, relationships, loyalty, faith, conflict, self-discovery.

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Oodles of examples. Orwell was quite moralistic in his writing and there are lots of examples of his statements on those moral views through the book. I suggest you look at Boxer, Clover, Benjamin and Muriel as the animals you'll find offering insight into the points.

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Originally Posted by Anslee

5. Significance of truth.

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Another quite odd question, because the book is more about suppression of truth, so the only way truth can be discussed is to look at its contamination and perversion. The significance of the truth of the book is found by all who read it: Stalinism = evil.

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Originally Posted by Anslee

6. Universality.

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Of appeal of the book, I'm guessing this refers to. The appeal is easy - the animals appeal to younger readers while the strength of the story holds everyone.

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Originally Posted by Anslee

7. Participation in the great dialogue of ideas of the centuries.

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One of the great dystopian novels, an essential discussion basis. The fact that you've been asked to write an essay on it 60+ years after publication pretty well says that there's still no better way of expressing the story.

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Originally Posted by Anslee

8. Time tested- usually the 50 year value or likely to be read/valued in 50 years.

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62 years and still going strong? I'd be confident it will still be as popular in 2045.

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Originally Posted by Anslee

Thank you so much if you can help!
I would reallllly appreciate it!

Thanks! :D

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Good luck - just get back to me in here if you need any more specifics.

Cheers

Thank you so much! That helped a ton!

hey eveyone
i am doing a project on animal farm and i need help with the conflicts in the story. i am supposed to write about the internal and external conlfits in animal farm but i am not sure wat the internal conflicts r. plz help if u hav any information on wat the internal and external conlficts of the story r!!!!

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Originally Posted by sweet16

hey eveyone
i am doing a project on animal farm and i need help with the conflicts in the story. i am supposed to write about the internal and external conlfits in animal farm but i am not sure wat the internal conflicts r. plz help if u hav any information on wat the internal and external conlficts of the story r!!!!

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I'm guessing that's a study project, so I've answered the question in the homework thread.

Click on this link.

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Originally Posted by sweet16

hey eveyone
i am doing a project on animal farm and i need help with the conflicts in the story. i am supposed to write about the internal and external conlfits in animal farm but i am not sure wat the internal conflicts r. plz help if u hav any information on wat the internal and external conlficts of the story r!!!!

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Nice, easy one again:

Internal conflict splits in two definite subjects; conflicts within the farm - which is mainly centred around Snowball vs Napoleon, and also conflicts internally in individual animals - best examples Clover & Boxer, when they realise something is going wrong but don't quite know how to deal with it and end up accepting the official position/s.

External conflict is shown in many places; the battles between Animal Farm and neighbouring farms and the wider conflict of all other farms being very scared of Animal Farm and wanting to get rid of it.

Also, do read the rest of this thread, there is lots of stuff which will help you. As always, if you need more, just ask!

Cheers

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Originally Posted by The Atheist

Looks pretty straightforward, and no doubt Bazarov can help me out.

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I'm sure he will when he returns next month :)
http://www.online-literature.com/for...ad.php?t=26610
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Mod note: I've now merged a few specific AF homework question topics into this one.

Hmm, seems easy but I am helping a hearing impaired-blind student with this essay (need to do it asap) and it aint easy! I need simple language but with enough content so he is able to discuss it. Any suggestions please? Many thanks.
:idea:

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Originally Posted by marjie

Hmm, seems easy but I am helping a hearing impaired-blind student with this essay (need to do it asap) and it aint easy! I need simple language but with enough content so he is able to discuss it. Any suggestions please? Many thanks.
:idea:

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Sorry for the delay - hope this is soon enough.

There are two parts to compare - life straight after the revolution and also at the end of the book.

Under Jones, the animals were there for one purpose only: to make a living for the farmer and his family. He only took care of them to ensure that they continued to lay eggs, give milk and help with growing crops.

Straight after the revolution, the animals worked for themselves and were able to eat more food, because the same farm was no longer supporting a human family as well the animals. There were no threats to their lives and all the animals were truly happy for the first time.

After Snowball was chased away, things changed and by the end of the book, the pigs have replaced the humans as the ones taking the benefit from the farm. They are using all of the income to pay for their luxuries, while they keep the animals in conditions which are very similar, but worse, than when Jones ran the farm. The way it is worse under the pigs is that when Jones ran the farm, the animals only really feared death if they were the type of animal to be used as food, while under the pigs, any animal was able to lose its life, purely at the whim of the pigs, if they thought you were any kind of danger to them.

Hi to everyone viewing this!
I have an essay due very soon and i need help! Here is the question...

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. " (Orwell, 2003,p.92).
Writers are often concerned with problems of inequality. Compare how this issue is treated in animal farm and any other text you have read. Make sure you include specific refrences.:alien: thanx

The assignment seems pretty straightforward to me. Is there anything specific you need help with?

Are there any good books I can refer to as my references?

That depends on what books you have read, but to give an example, The Time Machine by H.G. Wells deals with inequality. Why don't you go from there. The entire texts is available on this website too. The Time Machine

Thanx Lotz!

So in the Time Machine I should compare the inequality of the 2 groups in the future?

What would one compare Animal farm`s inequality with (other than the Russian Communism) (books or other things = ok):crash: :alien: ?

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Originally Posted by abhishek_cs27

What would one compare Animal farm`s inequality with (other than the Russian Communism) (books or other things = ok):crash: :alien: ?

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There are some excellent examples in recent history:

South Africa under Apartheid, which was dismantled almost 20 years ago. Under Apartheid, anyone who wan't a pure "white" citizen was discriminated against to the extent that they were very much second class citizens.

USA in the days of slavery right through to the Civil Rights actions in the 1960s.

India, up to 1948, ruled by England, with the enormous native population unable to have a say in their own futures.

Afghanistan, under Taliban (pre-invasion) where women and people of religion other than Islam were oppressed.

There are current examples, but that would invove politics, so I'll merely suggest that asking teachers or even ringing up a local journalist should enable you to find a couple.

Books also, there are many which fit the bill.

Orwell's own 1984, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, right back to Plato's Republic, there are literally hunderds of books which show inequality, but those are probably the most famous examples.

If you have to read one, pick Brave New World - it's very short and available online free here.

If you need more help, just ask!

Good luck!

Thanks!! That helped! I`ll start Brave new world!

Atheist, you've done great job!
India gained her freedom in 1947 :)

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Originally Posted by bazarov

Atheist, you've done great job!
India gained her freedom in 1947 :)

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Cheers & welcome back!

(That'll teach me to use memory rather than Wiki :sick: )

:lol:

I'd like to know what is the utopia of the animals in 'Animal Farm'..Is it the sense of belonging or is there any other?Thanks in advance.

Their utopia is actually theory of socialism.
They will unite, defeat humans and live all together in products of their work on the farm.
All animals are equal! Sad story of socialism putted in one sentence. They thought everyone will work, as much as they can and they will all enjoy in food, drink, freedom and happiness. But why would one work for 10 hours(Boxer) if he will get the same or less as one who didn't work at all(Napoleon or any other party member)? Boxer maybe isn't the best example because he didn't argue, but others did and you know what happened then! Realization of all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others actually destroyed their utopistic idea of life.

Of course, let's see wait The Official has to say! :lol:

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Originally Posted by bazarov

Of course, let's see wait The Official has to say! :lol:

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Hahaha!

I need a smiley which laughs even harder!

Can't add to what you have.

:D

Thanks for the explanation Bazarov..I wonder if I can compare that utopia to George and Lennie's in 'Of Mice and Men'.. :)

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Originally Posted by ainazalea

Thanks for the explanation Bazarov..I wonder if I can compare that utopia to George and Lennie's in 'Of Mice and Men'.. :)

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I'm so sorry, I haven't read Of Mice and Men :sick: Yet...

No problem :) ..I was just wondering..LOL..And still wondering..Thanks a lot for your(Bazarov) answer to my previous question.I'm not really familiar with the Russian revolution or the 20th century history itself but reading the The Atheist's and your views and comments helped a great deal.

Hi, I had to read this book for summer reading and have no idea how to answer the question that goes along with it... "Animal Farm is replete with subtle and not so subtle lessons on blind conformity and the misuse of power. What are some of the lessons you've personally taken away from the novel regarding education of the masses, knowledge of history, idealist though and class structure? Has the novel changed your worldview in any way?" Please comment back with any ideas as to how I should respond!

1a) it was because the animals were undereducated and did not have a firm knowledge of their past that they were so easily manipulated. The idea that Napoleon was the great hero of Cowshed and Snowball was working to over throw the farm, while Snowball was actually the hero and Napoleon was no where to be seen during the battle. You can see how the animals lack of general knowledge made it easy for them to hate Snowball despite him being innocent.

1b) I don't know what idealist through is so i am going to assume you meant theory and answer from there. I don't think Orwell seems to discount idealism in Animal Farm. Prior to Snowballs disappearance there seemed no reason that Animal Farm shouldn't have been viewed as a success in the making. When they were democratically motivated, and they were listening to the qualms of the animals. Then Snowball was banished and with him fell his idealism. Though Napoleon still propagated it as if you were striving toward this idealist soceity. So I think Orwell is saying be wary of anyone promising you paradise, make sure they have your best interest at heart.

1c) I think Orwell believes that class structure exists when it is allowed to exist. When the animals were under the drunkard farmer they lived in a class system. When they were under the duel leadership of Snowball and Napoleon their was no classes, one was free to be as involved or uninvolved in the government as they would like. Leadership seemed to appeal to the Pigs but they were of course the smartest. Then after Snowball was evicted from AF the class system was stricter and reinstated.

1d) I think you are the only person who can answer your own world view. I myself was because to understand a lot better Totaltalitarianism and in a swreder light.

What do you need?

HELP!!! i need to write an essay about the story animal farm and i cant quite get the deeper meaning of it... :bawling: what's the message of the story and can you people name themes or other stories that are related to animal farm??? HELP!!! thanks a bunch!

You're probably the fifth one this week askin' the same question....


Have a gander on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Farm) and if you're still confused come back to us.

Animals represent peoples, humans, who had some influence on Russian Revolution and it's allegory on Russian Communism. Through the life of poor animals, Orwell gives his way of seeing communism and his ideas and thoughts about it.

You don't have to visit Wiki, our official thread is really great. Read it carefully and slowly form the first page, and if you still don't understand something or have any other question, feel free to ask.

It really isn't that complicated, bigfoot007. You only need a basic understanding of the Russian Revolution to understand AF.