Starter quiz
- Complete this sentence. Social and historical __________ can help us have a better understanding of the texts we are reading.
- 'context' ✓
- In what year did WWII end?
- '1945' ✓
- Equality is...
- the idea that some people should have more than others.
- a concept that encourages fairness and treating everyone the same. ✓
- the belief that only a few should have all the power.
- a type of government ruled by a single person.
-
- What is the definition of a dictator?
- A leader elected by the people.
- A system of government with multiple rulers.
- A ruler with absolute and unchecked power. ✓
- A government that practices democracy.
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- When considering a writer's purpose, we want to try and understand why they were compelled to write. What does the verb compel mean?
- to write for fun and leisure
- to feel driven by a strong motivation ✓
- to write without any goal in mind
- to write with hesitation and doubt
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- Social class refers to....
- a gathering of friends and family.
- a group of individuals with similar economic and social positions. ✓
- a community of people sharing common interests.
- a hierarchy of people based on physical appearance.
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Exit quiz
- 'Animal Farm' was published in what year?
- '1945' ✓
- George Orwell was against totalitarianism. These are governmental systems defined by which three things?
- centralised power ✓
- dictatorships ✓
- democracy
- loss of personal freedoms ✓
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- What word beginning with 'A', describes a story, poem or image that has a hidden message, typically a moral or political one.
- 'allegory' ✓
- Which two political systems are considered left wing?
- communism ✓
- fascism
- conservatism
- socialism ✓
-
- Marxism is the belief that...
- business owners should own most of the wealth in society.
- wealth should be shared equally amongst all in society. ✓
- class systems are a positive way to group people.
-
- What is the main goal of capitalism?
- wealth distribution
- equality
- profit ✓
- management of resource
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Orwell was influenced by his varied life experiences
- Orwell was against authoritarian regimes and viewed his writing as a way to criticise the abuse of power
- 'Animal Farm' is an allegory for the Russian Revolution
- Orwell was a democratic socialist and against the ideals of communism which he saw as easily corruptible and flawed
- 'Animal Farm' explores themes of power and hierarchy
Common misconception
George Orwell was a communist.
Although Orwell wanted an equal society, he viewed communism as corruptible and idealistic.
Keywords
Authoritarian - An authoritarian regime enforces strict obedience and the expense of personal freedoms.
Allegory - An allegory is a story, poem or image that has a hidden message, typically a moral or political one.
Socialism - Socialism is a political ideology that believes in equality and shared ownership of resources and production.
Capitalism - Capitalism is an economic system that encourages profit making and private ownership of business and resources.
Marxism - Marxism is a political theory based on the work of Karl Marx. It believes in collective ownership and the eradication of social classes.
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