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Class 12th English all subjects summaries

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WAR AND PEACE by Leo Tolstoy

WAR AND PEACE –LEO TOLSTOY

ABOUT THE WRITER

Here is the original text without plagiarism:

"War and Peace" is a novel written by Leo Tolstoy, a renowned Russian author. The book was first published in 1869 and is considered to be one of the most significant works of literature in history.

Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828 in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia, and passed away in 1910. He was not only a writer but also a philosopher and social reformer. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest novelists ever, and apart from "War and Peace," he wrote other classics such as "Anna Karenina" and "The Death of Ivan Ilyich."

The story of "War and Peace" takes place during the Napoleonic Wars, and it revolves around the lives of five Russian noble families, with particular focus on three young people: Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, and Natasha Rostova. The novel explores several themes, including love, war, family, and the search for purpose and meaning in life.

Tolstoy's writing style is notable for its psychological depth, realism, and attention to detail. He was an advocate of nonviolent resistance and developed an interest in religion and spirituality in his later years.

Overall, "War and Peace" is a literary masterpiece that delves into the intricacies of human experience during a period of significant historical change and upheaval.

SUMMARY

"War and Peace" is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that tells the story of five Russian aristocratic families during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century.

The novel begins in 1805, just before the war between Russia and France begins. The Bolkonsky family, led by the old and gruff Prince Bolkonsky, has two children: the beautiful and headstrong Natasha, and the serious and introspective Andrei. Meanwhile, the Rostov family, led by the kind and generous Count Rostov, has four children: the impulsive and romantic Nikolai, the charming and flirtatious Sonya, the beautiful and sophisticated Vera, and the lively and adventurous Petya.

As the war begins, Andrei leaves his pregnant wife and joins the Russian army, while Nikolai and Sonya become engaged. Natasha falls in love with Andrei's friend, the dashing and charismatic Prince Anatole Kuragin, but their relationship ends in scandal when Anatole is caught trying to elope with her.

As the war progresses, the Russian army suffers defeats at the hands of Napoleon's forces, and Andrei is badly wounded in battle. Meanwhile, Natasha's reputation is ruined by the scandal with Anatole, and she becomes depressed and ill. However, with the help of her family and a kind-hearted doctor named Dr. Lorrain, she eventually recovers.

In the end, the Russian army is victorious over Napoleon, and Andrei returns home to his wife and child. Nikolai and Sonya marry, and Natasha finds happiness with Pierre Bezukhov, a wealthy and kind-hearted man who has been in love with her for years.

Throughout the novel, Tolstoy explores themes of love, war, family, and society, and provides a detailed portrait of Russian society during this tumultuous period in its history.

 

 

THEME OF THE NOVEL

The central theme of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" is the conflict between individuality and societal constraints, which is examined through the experiences of the characters during the Napoleonic Wars. Tolstoy suggests that while individuals have the power to make choices, their actions are influenced by larger historical and societal forces beyond their control.

Another important theme in the novel is the nature of love and relationships. Tolstoy portrays various forms of love, from romantic love to familial love, and shows how these relationships can be both fulfilling and destructive.

The novel also delves into the effects of war on individuals and society, demonstrating the harsh reality of combat and the ways in which war can disrupt and destroy families and communities.

Moreover, "War and Peace" presents a critical commentary on the aristocratic society of Imperial Russia, highlighting its excesses and corruption, as well as the challenges faced by the lower classes.

Overall, the novel is a multi-layered exploration of human nature, society, and history.

 

CHARACTERS

Pierre Bezukhov - A wealthy and compassionate man who grapples with his position in society and searches for a meaningful purpose in life. Andrei Bolkonsky - A serious and contemplative soldier who is deeply impacted by his experiences during the Napoleonic Wars. Natasha Rostova - A beautiful and impulsive young woman who falls in love with multiple men over the course of the novel.

Prince Bolkonsky - Andrei's father, an authoritarian and stern elder who has a difficult relationship with his children.

Count Rostov - Natasha's father, a kind and generous man who is deeply concerned with his family's reputation and status.

Sonya Rostova - Natasha's cousin, who is deeply in love with Nikolai Rostov but struggles to reconcile her feelings with her sense of duty.

Nikolai Rostov - Natasha's brother, a brave and impulsive soldier who falls in love with Sonya and ultimately marries her.

Helene Kuragina - A stunning and manipulative woman who marries Pierre Bezukhov for his wealth and status.

Anatole Kuragin - Helene's brother, a charming and reckless man who becomes involved in a scandal with Natasha.

Marya Bolkonskaya - Andrei's sister, a devout and reserved woman who ultimately finds contentment in her religious devotion.

BACKGROUND

"War and Peace" is a novel written by Leo Tolstoy that features a wide array of characters, such as Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, Natasha Rostova, Prince Bolkonsky, Count Rostov, Sonya Rostova, Nikolai Rostov, Helene Kuragina, Anatole Kuragin, and Marya Bolkonskaya. Throughout the course of the novel, these characters interact with each other, creating a complex and detailed portrayal of Russian society during the early 19th century.

The novel takes place against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, a series of conflicts fought between France and various European powers from 1803 to 1815. Napoleon Bonaparte, the ruler of France at the time, had expanded the country's territory through military conquests. The War of the Third Coalition began in 1805 when Britain, Russia, Austria, and Sweden formed an alliance against France. Despite the coalition's efforts, Napoleon's armies emerged victorious, leading to the conquest of much of Europe.

The majority of the novel is set in Russia, which played a crucial role in the conflict against Napoleon. In 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia with his Grand Army, which comprised over 600,000 soldiers. The Russian army, under the leadership of General Mikhail Kutuzov, implemented a "scorched earth" policy, burning crops and retreating deeper into Russia to prevent Napoleon's army from being able to sustain itself. Due to the harsh winter and lack of supplies, the French army suffered significant losses, and the Russian army emerged as the victors. Napoleon's defeat in Russia marked a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars and paved the way for his eventual defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Through the historical context of the Napoleonic Wars, Tolstoy explores themes such as love, family, and society, while also providing an intricate portrayal of Russian society during this tumultuous period in its history.

 

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WAR AND PEACE –LEO TOLSTOY

WAR AND PEACE –LEO TOLSTOY ABOUT THE WRITER FIND OUR VIDEOEXPLANATION IN YOUTUBE AND FB TOO https://youtu.be/59cOlTsdO7Y "War and Peace" is a novel written by Leo Tolstoy, a renowned Russian author. The book was first published in 1869 and is considered to be one of the most significant works of literature in history. Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828 in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia, and passed away in 1910. He was not only a writer but also a philosopher and social reformer. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest novelists ever, and apart from "War and Peace," he wrote other classics such as "Anna Karenina" and "The Death of Ivan Ilyich." The story of "War and Peace" takes place during the Napoleonic Wars, and it revolves around the lives of five Russian noble families, with particular focus on three young people: Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, and Natasha Rostova. The novel explores several themes, including love, war, family, and the search for purpose and meaning in life. Tolstoy's writing style is notable for its psychological depth, realism, and attention to detail. He was an advocate of nonviolent resistance and developed an interest in religion and spirituality in his later years. Overall, "War and Peace" is a literary masterpiece that delves into the intricacies of human experience during a period of significant historical change and upheaval. SUMMARY "War and Peace" is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that tells the story of five Russian aristocratic families during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century. The novel begins in 1805, just before the war between Russia and France begins. The Bolkonsky family, led by the old and gruff Prince Bolkonsky, has two children: the beautiful and headstrong Natasha, and the serious and introspective Andrei. Meanwhile, the Rostov family, led by the kind and generous Count Rostov, has four children: the impulsive and romantic Nikolai, the charming and flirtatious Sonya, the beautiful and sophisticated Vera, and the lively and adventurous Petya. As the war begins, Andrei leaves his pregnant wife and joins the Russian army, while Nikolai and Sonya become engaged. Natasha falls in love with Andrei's friend, the dashing and charismatic Prince Anatole Kuragin, but their relationship ends in scandal when Anatole is caught trying to elope with her. As the war progresses, the Russian army suffers defeats at the hands of Napoleon's forces, and Andrei is badly wounded in battle. Meanwhile, Natasha's reputation is ruined by the scandal with Anatole, and she becomes depressed and ill. However, with the help of her family and a kind-hearted doctor named Dr. Lorrain, she eventually recovers. In the end, the Russian army is victorious over Napoleon, and Andrei returns home to his wife and child. Nikolai and Sonya marry, and Natasha finds happiness with Pierre Bezukhov, a wealthy and kind-hearted man who has been in love with her for years. Throughout the novel, Tolstoy explores themes of love, war, family, and society, and provides a detailed portrait of Russian society during this tumultuous period in its history. THEME OF THE NOVEL The central theme of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" is the conflict between individuality and societal constraints, which is examined through the experiences of the characters during the Napoleonic Wars. Tolstoy suggests that while individuals have the power to make choices, their actions are influenced by larger historical and societal forces beyond their control. Another important theme in the novel is the nature of love and relationships. Tolstoy portrays various forms of love, from romantic love to familial love, and shows how these relationships can be both fulfilling and destructive. The novel also delves into the effects of war on individuals and society, demonstrating the harsh reality of combat and the ways in which war can disrupt and destroy families and communities. Moreover, "War and Peace" presents a critical commentary on the aristocratic society of Imperial Russia, highlighting its excesses and corruption, as well as the challenges faced by the lower classes. Overall, the novel is a multi-layered exploration of human nature, society, and history. CHARACTERS Pierre Bezukhov - A wealthy and compassionate man who grapples with his position in society and searches for a meaningful purpose in life. Andrei Bolkonsky - A serious and contemplative soldier who is deeply impacted by his experiences during the Napoleonic Wars. Natasha Rostova - A beautiful and impulsive young woman who falls in love with multiple men over the course of the novel. Prince Bolkonsky - Andrei's father, an authoritarian and stern elder who has a difficult relationship with his children. Count Rostov - Natasha's father, a kind and generous man who is deeply concerned with his family's reputation and status. Sonya Rostova - Natasha's cousin, who is deeply in love with Nikolai Rostov but struggles to reconcile her feelings with her sense of duty. Nikolai Rostov - Natasha's brother, a brave and impulsive soldier who falls in love with Sonya and ultimately marries her. Helene Kuragina - A stunning and manipulative woman who marries Pierre Bezukhov for his wealth and status. Anatole Kuragin - Helene's brother, a charming and reckless man who becomes involved in a scandal with Natasha. Marya Bolkonskaya - Andrei's sister, a devout and reserved woman who ultimately finds contentment in her religious devotion. BACKGROUND "War and Peace" is a novel written by Leo Tolstoy that features a wide array of characters, such as Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, Natasha Rostova, Prince Bolkonsky, Count Rostov, Sonya Rostova, Nikolai Rostov, Helene Kuragina, Anatole Kuragin, and Marya Bolkonskaya. Throughout the course of the novel, these characters interact with each other, creating a complex and detailed portrayal of Russian society during the early 19th century. The novel takes place against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, a series of conflicts fought between France and various European powers from 1803 to 1815. Napoleon Bonaparte, the ruler of France at the time, had expanded the country's territory through military conquests. The War of the Third Coalition began in 1805 when Britain, Russia, Austria, and Sweden formed an alliance against France. Despite the coalition's efforts, Napoleon's armies emerged victorious, leading to the conquest of much of Europe. The majority of the novel is set in Russia, which played a crucial role in the conflict against Napoleon. In 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia with his Grand Army, which comprised over 600,000 soldiers. The Russian army, under the leadership of General Mikhail Kutuzov, implemented a "scorched earth" policy, burning crops and retreating deeper into Russia to prevent Napoleon's army from being able to sustain itself. Due to the harsh winter and lack of supplies, the French army suffered significant losses, and the Russian army emerged as the victors. Napoleon's defeat in Russia marked a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars and paved the way for his eventual defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Through the historical context of the Napoleonic Wars, Tolstoy explores themes such as love, family, and society, while also providing an intricate portrayal of Russian society during this tumultuous period in its history.

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EUGENE OREGIN , ALEXANDER PUSHKIN

EUGENE OREGIN ALEXANDER PUSHKIN ABOUT THE AUTHOR Alexander was born on 6th June 1799 at Moscow, Russian Empire. He was from an aristocratic family. He was the grandson of an African man. Ibrahim Gannibal was his grandfather who was an army general.. He was born in Cameroon. His grandfather was kidnapped by the Ottomans . But later gifted him to the Russian Tsar. Peter the Great. Grandfather grew to become one of the highest ranking generals. Alexander Pushkin was very proud of his African ancestry. ABOUT THE AUTHOR “The Moor Of Peter The Great” and “My Genealogy speaks about Pushkin's lineage..” Pushkin grew in and around Saint Petersburg. His prime focus was made on French language. Just like then aristocrats at the time. At very early age he showed tremendous talent in writing. He had better hold in French language than Russian. Which allowed him to read Voltaire , Diderot and Rousseau. Being a well read writer he had a liberall attitude towards social change. His liberal attitude gained him hatred from the government and was sent out from Saint-Petersburg. ABOUT THE AUTHOR This proved to be a boon for him as he went to south of Russia . He stayed in Caucuses, Crimea and Moldova. He became a freemason and later got himself and involved in the Greek revolution. This revolution was against the Ottoman Turks. But in Odessa , he seduced the governor's wife. The Russian authorities forced him back. To his family estate. This house arrest allowed him to be a poet. ABOUT THE AUTHOR The solitude and isolation he needed to cultivate his craft of writing poetry of longing and loneliness. In 1875,mthere was a coup against the government which became known as the Decembrist Revolt. Many aristocrats went against the Tsars but failed. Pushkin was in trouble because of his one of the poems. The Tsars became extremely elated and appointed him as a special adviser. In 1828,He met with Natalia Gonharova,(16YRS) one of the most beautiful ladies in Russia. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Three years later Pushkin married Natalia. Pushkin,thoughout his bachelor life seduced the beautiful wives of others now it was his turn to face the fate. A French man pursued Natalia Pushkin challenged him to a duel and he was badly wounded in that. Two days later Pushkin died at the age of 37. Pushkin own Russians heart. ABOUT THE AUTHOR The Tsar loved him and the Soviet leaders like Lenin and Stalin Tchaikovsky, the greatest Russian composer .too. They wrote an opera based on his work. Pushkin is considered the father of Russian Literature, the Shakespeare of Russia. When he started writing Eugene Oregin,he was already an established poet. He began writing Eugene Onegin in 1823. He was a playboy ,a brat, arrogant man. He invented a new literary Russian language . That language was clearer, simpler ,precise. This made him the poet of the Russian people. ABOUT THE AUTHOR This famous novel “EUGENE OREGIN ” is a novel in verse.. He wrote this master piece exiled from the capital to southern Russia. While working on Onegin in such places as Odessa and the family estates of Mikhailovskoe and Boldino, Pushkin occasionally paused to work on other pieces. The final parts of the book were published in 1831, and complete editions of the book appeared in 1833 and, with minor revisions, in 1837. After going through EUGENE OREGIN ,we can guess that Pushkin had predicted his death beforehand. He died on 10 FEBRUARY 1837Saini Petersburg, Russian Empire. THE CORE QUESTION IN THE NOVEL Is human existence nothing but a contradiction? Do we all want happiness or struggle and anguish? Are learned,smart people are really stupid? Do modern people suppress their natural inclination? THEME Eugene Onegin Themes European Influences in Russia Life in the Provinces vs Life in the Captials The Poet's Craft THEME The Death of Youth Fate Genuineness of Love The Influence of Literature upon Life MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL Pushkin Pushkin himself figures in the novel. He is present as a friend of Onegin and an admirer of Tatyana. Eugene Onegin A charming and stylish young man around 26 years old. He pays attention to his appearance minutely. Somewhere he is bored of high-society life. Hence alienated in the countryside. An keen reader of Byron. MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL Vladimir Lensky A fiery young poet, around 18 years old. Who writes amateurishly but with genuine feeling in his pursuit of truth. He loves Olga. A proponent of German Romanticism. Tatyana "Tanya" Larin A wistful, contemplative, and withdrawn daughter of a provincial landowner. She has a pure, honest heart and loves nature. A deeply engrossed reader of French romance novels.  MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL  Olga Larin She is Tatyana's simple-minded, flirty younger sister.   Dmitry Larin A former general, now provincial landowner. The father of Tatyana and Olga. Pauline Larin She is Tatyana's and Olga's mother. She is reluctantly married to Dmitry Larin. She is seen as a vigorous housewife.   MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL Pushkin's Muse Confusing character,sometimes real and sometimes abstract. Once identified as "Zizi," that is, Evpraskia Wulf (1809-1883), a young girl who lived near Mikhailovskoe. Pushkin flirted with her in 1824 and became her lover briefly in 1829. Zaretsky A former dueling-enthusiast who lives near Lensky and acts as his second during the duel.   MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL   Guillot Onegin's valet. Anisya Onegin's housekeeper.   Filatievna Tatyana's nurse, to whom Tatyana confides her love for Onegin.   Symbols, Allegory and Motifs Tatyana as the Moon (Symbol) Tatyana becomes closely associated with the moon for her mysterious nature and love for walking in the moonlight. At the end of the novel, when she has left the countryside for Moscow, the moon represents her unique, genuine grace and beauty among the coquettish beauties of the city, who are like mere stars beside her. Symbols, Allegory and Motifs Contemplation by the Graveside (Motif) At the end of Chapter 2, Lensky mourns by the grave of the recently deceased Larin father and, remembering how the man played with him as a child and hoped to live to see him marry Olga, he is driven to write a poem to him. These reflections also stir him to write a poem to his own deceased parents and ponder the nature of human mortality. Then, the grave at the end of Chapter 6 and the beginning of Chapter 7 is Lensky's own. He himself will not live to marry Olga, and he shall have no poet to mourn him but Pushkin. Moreover, once Olga and Tatyana leave, only the shepherd will continue to visit grave.    Symbols, Allegory and Motifs Onegin as Napoleon (Allegory) In II.14, Pushkin describes Onegin via comparison to that great enemy of the Russians, Napoleon, whom he characterizes as manipulative and dismissive of emotions. Later on, this description will be confirmed by Tatyana's discovery of a bust of Napoleon in Onegin's study, which goes to explain his heartless treatment of Tatyana and seduction of Olga to rile Lensky.   Symbols, Allegory and Motifs   Parties (Motif) The novel opens with a glut of St. Petersburg parties, which Onegin has become bored of, and then moves to the countryside, where there are also parties, though of lesser sophistication. At one of these, Onegin meets Tatyana. At another one, which annoyingly reminds him of the bustling emptiness of the capital balls, he flirts with Olga to anger Lensky, leading to the fatal duel. In the end, it is at a ball in Moscow where Onegin reemerges and first catches glance of the new Grande Dame Tatyana.  Symbols, Allegory and Motifs Sleigh Rides (Symbol) Throughout the novel, sleigh rides represent bewildering movement. We first encounter Onegin as he rides through the streets of St. Petersburg from party to party, and soon he will tire of all the dazzling sights and sounds. Later on, Tatyana rides from the countryside to Moscow and is confronted with the great panoply of the city, which shocks her by its unfamiliarity.    SUMMARY Eugene Onegin is a novel of narrative poetry . The novel, which is written in 389 stanzas of iambic tetrameter, tells the story of a wealthy cynic pursued by a romantic young woman. Eugene Onegin, the titular character of the novel, is a wealthy Russian aristocrat living in St. Petersburg. He loves balls, parties, and social gatherings. Onegin gets bored of these parties and wants something different in his life. In the mean time his uncle dies and leaves him an estate in the countryside. SUMMARY Onegin, who was in search of some uniquesness in life , decides to move there. Shortly after going to live at his new estate, Onegin meets a romantic young poet named Vladimir Lensky who is as fiercely passionate as Onegin is coldly cynical. The two become friends even though their perspectives were not same. One day, Lensky brings Onegin to meet his fiancée, Olga Larin. Olga is charming, sociable, and girlish. Her older sister, Tatyana, on the other hand, is a quiet dreamer . She is a voracious reader , who reads romance novels. SUMMARY Tatyana develops a strong attraction to Onegin.. She could not control her feelings so she writes him a long, honest letter professing. her love for him. Onegin goes to the Larins’ home and coldly rejects Tatyana’s love. Telling her that he had no desire to be married since he found marriage too confining. He also warns her to be more cautious about revealing her emotions in the future . He tells him someone with bad intentions take advantage of her innocence. Tatyana is heartbroken over Onegin’s rejection. SUMMARY We can see two contrasting couples here Lensky and Olga and Tatiana and Oregin. Onegin is indifferent towards her love proposal . And Lensky’s passionate poems for Olga goes in vain as she never pays heed to them. Onegin spends his days alone and bored in his estate until Lensky comes to visit him again. Lensky invites Onegin to Tatyana’s name-day party, promising that it would be a small affair with only a few family members in attendance. A few days before the event, Tatyana has a nightmare in which she is carried off by a bear to a house where Onegin is having a party with a group of monsters. SUMMARY Onegin fights the monsters over Tatyana, and lays her down on a table. Olga and Lensky gets in the party but Onegin stabs Lensky to death with a knife. Tatyana wakes up hastily and realises it was a dream. But she was deeply disturbed by her dream. The day of the event arrives and Onegin realizes that it was a lavish party. He wanted to take revenge for this and dances with Olga who was already a flirty woman. SUMMARY Lensky is extremely angry and storms out of the party. The next day, Onegin receives a message from Lensky challenging him to a duel. Onegin accepts the challenge but realises that his deeds in the party were not acceptable. Lensky visits the Larins’ home again. Here he knows that Olga still loves him. Her affection for Onegin the night before was temporary. He writes a poem lamenting that he may die the next morning. Therefore he urging Olga to visit his grave if that happens. SUMMARY Next day the two men meet for the duel. Onegin’s second is a man named Zaretsky. And Lensky’s second is his servant. Shortly after the duel begins, Onegin shoots and kills Lensky. Onegin immediately becomes sorrowful for his actions. And rushes to his fallen friend’s side. Lensky is buried in a simple grave under two pine trees near a stream. Leaden by guilt, Onegin leaves his estate and goes abroad. SUMMARY Tatyana goes to visit Onegin’s home after this incident. She looks through his books, which Onegin read voraciously. She begins to wonder whether Onegin was a real man or just the amalgamation of different literary characters. Many years elapsed, Onegin returns home from his journey abroad. He is surprised to see Tatyana again at a ball party. She is now married to an army general. There is mental maturity considerably since he last saw her. SUMMARY Onegin realizes that he does love Tatyana after all. Now even though she was married he writes her many letters asking her to elope with him. However, she ignores all of them.  After getting rejection from Tatyana, Onegin finally goes to see her in person. He happens to see her tearfully reading one of his letters. He kneels before her and begs her forgiveness. SUMMARY However, Tatyana is cold to him and scolds him for trying to elope with her while she is already married. She takes revenge of her proposal. The way he had rejected her the same was done to him. She says that she does still have feelings for him, but must remain faithful to her husband.  Onegin is devastated by Tatyana’s response. He is left to be in solitude and isolation . THANK YOU

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ANIMAL FARM BY GEORGE ORNWELL

 

ANIMAL FARM
-GEORGE ORWELL

Real name-Eric Blair

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ü  Real name was Eric Arthur Blair

ü  He was born on 25 June 1903 Motihari,Bengal, India.

ü  He died on 21 January 1950 in Educated in England

ü  Served as a policeman in Burma from 1922 to 1927.

ü  He chose to live among poor working people in Paris and England.

ü  He worked as a teacher and then as a grocer.

ü  His first novel Burmese Days appeared in 1934.

ü  He wrote many novels, famous now only for Animals Farm and 1984.

ABOUT THE NOVEL

ü  Animal Farm is a novel about a group of animals who take control of the farm they live on.

ü  Animal Farm is a novel about freedom, rebellion and the corrupting nature of power.

ü  The animals get fed up of their master, Farmer Jones, so they kick him out.

ü  Once they are free of the tyrant Jones, life on the farm is good for a while and there is hope for a happier future of less work, better education and more food.

ABOUT THE NOVEL

ü  However, trouble brews as the pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, fight for the hearts and minds of the other animals on the farm.

ü  Napoleon seizes power by force and ends up exploiting the animals just as Farmer Jones had done.

ü  The novel ends with the pigs behaving and even dressing like the humans the animals tried to get rid of in the first place.

ABOUT THE NOVEL

Social and historical context

ü  Russian Revolution propaganda poster

ü  Animal Farm was written by George Orwell and published in 1945.

ü  This novel is an allegory - even though it is set on a farm and stars a cast of farm animals.

ü  It reflects the events of the Russian revolution of 1917.

ü  The animals are all clever representations of  Russian politicians, voters and workers. 

ABOUT THE NOVEL

ü  Orwell used the novel to make his opinions on Russian leaders heard.

ü  Animal farm by George Orwell is an allegory of the events of the Russian Revolution of 1917.

ü  It deals with the ideas of freedom, rebellion and the corrupting nature of power.

Animal Farm - Characters overview

ü  The characters in Animal Farm can be split into three groups - the humans, the pigs and the other animals.

ü  The humans are the villains, thoughtless and neglectful.

ü  The pigs are scheming, clever and forceful and replace the humans as villains.

ü  The other farmyard animals are trusting, passive and hardworking - they are the heroic victims of the novel.

ü  Each group represents a different element of the Russian Revolution in 1917.

PROTAGONISTS OF THE NOVEL

ü  The characters in Animal farm can be split into three groups –

      the humans, the pigs, and the other farm animals.

ü  Each group represents a different element of the Russian Revolution in 1917.

PROTAGONISTS OF THE NOVEL

ü  Main characters

ü  Old Major

ü  Napoleon

ü  Snowball

ü  Boxer

ü  Secondary characters

ü  Mr Jones

ü  Squealer

ü  Benjamin

MINOR CHARACTERS

ü  Clover - The mother figure of the farm. A kind and caring   

                    horse that sees the faults in Napoleon’s rule but like

                    Boxer, lacks the words to express herself.

ü  The dogs - There are good dogs: Bluebell, Jessie and Pitcher, 

                    then there are Napoleon's dogs that he uses to police 

                    the farm. They represent the secret organisations of 

                    the police.

ü  The hens - They bravely protest about their eggs being taken.

ü  Mollie - A horse that is happy to be ruled by humans.

MINOR CHARACTERS

ü  Moses - Jones' pet raven, also a preacher.

ü  The young pigs - They speak out against Napoleon and are executed as a result.

ü  The sheep - They interrupt debate on the farm with chants of "four legs good, two legs bad". They play a crucial role in Napoleon's rise to power.

ü  Mr Pilkington - An 'easy going' gentleman farmer who spends most of his time hunting.

ü  Mr Frederick - A tough farmer who fights to get what he wants.

ü  Mr Whymper - A lawyer that the pigs hire.

OLD MAJOR IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Old Major is Mr Jones' prize boar.

ü  He gathers all the animals together in the big barn to make a speech.

ü  He tells the animals that mankind and Mr Jones are the 'enemy‘.

ü  It is their fault that the animals' lives are miserable.

ü  He points out how cruel the men are to the animals - consuming without producing.

ü  He says that one day a rebellion will come - the animals will overthrow mankind and live in harmony.

OLD MAJOR IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Old Major is very intelligent, well-respected, an excellent speaker and an inspiration to the animals.

ü  He ends his speech by teaching the animals a song called Beasts of England.

ü  It is about a time when animals are free and humans are overthrown.

ü  He dies shortly after giving his speech and the other pigs take what they learnt from him and create 'Animalism', a set of rules for animals to live by.

OLD MAJOR IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Old Major is partly based on Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin.

ü  Karl Marx was a German philosopher who lived during the 19th-century.

ü  His ideas formed the basis of communism - his ideas are collectively known as 'Marxism', like 'Animalism' in the novel.

ü  He developed theories on how power structures in society keep people under control.

ü  Vladimir Lenin was a Russian revolutionary who established a form of Marxism in Russia in the early 20th-century.

NAPOLEON IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Napoleon is a threatening and 'fierce looking' Berkshire boar.

ü  He is one of the three pigs that take Old Major's ideas and turn them into 'Animalism' - a system of thought that encourages the animals to rebel.

ü  He is not a gifted speaker but is known for getting his own way.

ü  He also manages to get the support of the sheep, he encourages them to chant 'four legs good, two legs bad' during debates, preventing others making their points.

NAPOLEON IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  He takes two litters of puppies from their mothers and brings them up himself. Once they have grown up he uses them to take control of the farm.

ü  After he has done this, he and the other pigs start to break the Seven Commandments that the animals agreed to live by.

ü  He eventually becomes as much of a tyrant as Mr Jones ever was and exploits the other animals.

NAPOLEON IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Napoleon is based on the Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin. Stalin was involved in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and came to rule Soviet Russia after the death of Vladimir Lenin in 1924.

ü  He ruled until his death in 1953. During his time in power, the country was gripped by famine and fear, millions of people starved to death and those who opposed him were imprisoned or killed.

ü  The name also evokes the French military leader, Napoleon Bonaparte (1776-1821), who seized power after the French Revolution, crowned himself Emperor and ruled France until 1815.

SNOWBALL IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Snowball is one of the key pigs who take the teachings of Old Major and turn them into a way of thinking called 'Animalism'.

ü  He is an intelligent and animated pig.

ü  He comes up with new ideas and cares about the working animals.

ü  His plans and ideas revolve around providing education and better conditions on the farm.

ü  He is also a brave fighter, organising the animals during 'The Battle of the Cowshed'.

SNOWBALL IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Napoleon does not like Snowball's ideas and so has him chased off the farm by his guard dogs.

ü  We do not see Snowball after this incident.

ü  He is used by Napoleon as a scapegoat - anything that goes wrong on the farm is blamed on him.

ü  Napoleon also convinces the animals that Snowball was never brave during the battle and was actually on Mr Jones' side.

ü  Snowball represents Leon Trotsky

SNOWBALL IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Snowball represents Leon Trotsky. Trotsky was a political theorist, revolutionary and a leader of the Red Army.

ü  After the Revolution he was involved in Russian foreign affairs and policy making.

ü  He opposed Stalin's decisions and eventually was forced into exile from the Soviet Union in 1929. He resided in Mexico.

ü  He was assassinated by a Soviet agent in 1940.

ü  Most of the family members he left in the Soviet Union were arrested and killed.

BOXER IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Boxer, a horse, is a tragic hero.

ü  He is a hard worker, strong, loyal and caring.

ü  He also fights bravely against the humans.

ü  Unfortunately, he is too loyal, the pigs take advantage of this and work him until he collapses.

ü  Then they sell him to the horse slaughterer so that they can buy more whisky.

ü  Whenever something goes wrong, he blames himself and vows to work even harder.

ü  His favourite sayings are 'Napoleon is always right' and 'I will work harder'.

BOXER IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  He is the strongest animal and could easily fight off the pigs and dogs.

ü  He never does though, as he is too used to taking orders.

ü  Boxer represents the peasant workers of Russia.

ü  They were exploited by the Tsar Nicholas II who ruled from 1894 until his expulsion in 1917.

ü  The workers were kept in a position where they never earned enough money to pay for food or accommodation.

ü  The Revolution of 1917 sought to address this problem but only led to more hardship and starvation under the rule of Stalin

MR JONES IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Mr Jones, from the 1954 film

ü  Mr Jones is the owner of Manor Farm.

ü  He neglects the animals, spends most of his time drinking and reading the newspaper and not feeding them.

ü  He is taken by surprise by the animals when they fight back against him and his men, so much so that he is thrown off the farm.

MR JONES IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  He tries twice to take back the farm but both attempts fail.

ü  He ends up dying in a home for alcoholics.

ü  Mr Jones could be likened to Tsar Nicolas II.

ü  Jones is the reason for the Rebellion in the same way Tsar Nicholas II was, in simple terms, the cause of the Russian Revolution.

SQUEALER IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Squealer is Napoleon's spoke person.

ü  Squealer is another of the three most important pigs.

ü  Like Snowball he is clever and a good speaker and he is excellent at persuading the other animals.

ü  He ends up being Napoleon's spokesperson - he delivers his orders, explains his choices and tells lies to support Napoleon.

ü  He delivers propaganda to the other animals.

ü  It is also hinted that he reports back to Napoleon about what the other animals say.

BENJAMIN IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  Benjamin is a pessimistic donkey

ü  Benjamin is an old and pessimistic donkey.

ü  No one on the farm knows exactly how old he is but it is hinted that he has been around for a very long time.

ü  He is never enthusiastic when things go well for the animals; likewise, he is never surprised or upset when things go wrong.

ü  He often gives vague answers.

ü  Some might say that he is a realist.

ü  He is close friends with Boxer and plans to spend his retirement with him.

ü  He calls all the other animals to help when Boxer is being taken away by the horse slaughterer.

FORM, STRUCTURE AND LANGUAGE

ü  The language used in Animal Farm as well as its form and structure are vital to Orwell’s storytelling.

ü  His use of persuasive language, circular narrative and allegory are particularly significant.

USE OF FORM IN ANIMAL FARM

ü  The form of a novel is the type of text and genre the writer chooses to write in. 

ü  Animal Farm has a number of elements to its form and genre.

ü  Animal Farm could fit into the genre of a fairy story, fable, allegory or satire.

ü  On the surface the novel is very simple, a narrative with a lesson that is suitable for children.

ü  When seeing the narrative as a metaphor or allegory it becomes more complex.

ü  The reader needs prior knowledge to appreciate the novel on this level.

Genre

ü  Fairy story - the idea of talking animals and the simple written style are elements that fit this form.

ü  Allegory - the farm and the animals are an extended metaphor. The farm represents Russia and its experience of revolution in the 1900s. Mr Jones and the animals represent the Russian leaders and people of the time.

ü  Fable - A fable is a story that teaches a lesson or moral. Orwell uses the actions of the animals to teach the reader lessons about equality, power, corruption and freedom.

ü  Satire - Orwell satirises the political leaders of Russia in the 1900s.

THE NARRATOR

ü  The novel has a third person omniscient narrator.

ü  We see and know everything that happens and hear the characters' thoughts.

ü  This gives the reader an overview which allows us to come to our own conclusions about events on the farm.

ü  ANIMAL FARM FOLLOWS A SIMPLE STRUCTURE.

ü  It is written in 10 chapters that can be divided into three sections:

ü  The Dream

ü  The Rebellion

ü  Napoleon’s regime

SUMMARY

ü  Old Major, the prize boar, calls a secret meeting of all the farm animals on Manor Farm.

ü  He states that a rebellion against their human master, Mr Jones, will one day come.

ü  A cow starts the rebellion by walking into the store-shed.

ü  The animals end up chasing Mr Jones off the farm.

ü  Now they are free, the animals all agree on the Seven Commandments that they will live by.

SUMMARY

ü  The farm is renamed 'Animal Farm'.

ü  There is hope for a better future.

ü  The pigs start to order the other animals around and take more food than they should.

ü  The animals bravely fight off a human attempt to retake the farm, this becomes known as 'The Battle of the Cowshed'.

SUMMARY

ü  The animals set to work building a windmill and Napoleon takes charge.

ü  Napoleon reduces the rations and rights of the animals and starts breaking the commandments.

ü  There is another invasion by the men and the windmill is blown up.

ü  Boxer collapses whilst rebuilding it for the second time.

ü  Napoleon and the other pigs learn to walk on their hind legs, wear human clothes and carry whips.

ü  Despite all their hard work, the animals of the farm are right back to where they began, hungry, scared and exploited by those in charge.

OLD MAJOR INSPIRES THE ANIMALS TO REBEL

ü  Old Major delivers a speech to all the farm animals.

ü  He points out that their lives are difficult, full of hardship and that they live in slavery because of the way Farmer Jones treats them.

ü  According to Old Major 'All men are enemies.

ü  All animals are equal' and one day there will be a rebellion.

ü  He then teaches the animals a song called 'Beasts of England'.

ü  The song is about animals overthrowing man and being free.

ESTABLISHMENT OF ANIMALISM

ü  Old Major dies three nights later.

ü   After this incident three pigs, Snowball, Napoleon and Squealer take Old Major's teaching.

ü  They turn it into a way of thinking called 'Animalism'.

REBELLION FROM ANIMAL

ü  The rebellion comes when Mr Jones forgets to feed the animals.

ü   A fed-up cow pushes her way into the store-shed to look for food.

ü  The rest of the animals go in to help themselves.

ü  Mr Jones and his men try to get the animals back in line but the animals chase them off the farm.

REBELLION FROM ANIMAL

ü  They proclaim the farm belongs to them now.

ü  The animals rejoice in their victory.

ü  They change the name of the farm to 'Animal Farm' .

ü  They also decide on seven commandments to live by that focus on animal equality and avoiding behaving like Jones.

LIFE IS GOOD AFTER THE REBELLION

ü  The animals are happy, they work well together and more efficiently.

ü  This efficiency was less when Mr Jones had the power.

ü  Boxer the horse always makes a huge effort.

ü  His motto is 'I will work harder!'.

ü  The pigs begin to teach the others to read and write.

ü  Napoleon steals some milk for himself after the first day's harvest.

THE PIGS EDUCATE THE OTHERS

ü  Two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, often argue during the meetings.

ü  Snowball sets up 'committees' focused on education, reading and writing.

ü  He reduces 'Animalism' to one idea for the simpler animals.

ü  i.e. - 'four legs good, two legs bad' - and the sheep regularly chant it.

ü  Napoleon however, thinks educating the old animals is a waste of time.

ü  Therefore he focuses on the youngsters;.

ü  Particularly a litter of nine puppies that he takes away from their mother to educate them himself.

THE PIGS BEGIN TO TAKE MORE FOOD

ü  At this stage, the pigs start taking any extra apples and milk for themselves.

ü  Some animals complain but Squealer persuades them that if the pigs don't get the extra food they need, Jones might return.

ü  This is enough to make the other animals agree with him.

ü  The inequality between the pigs and the others begins here.

MR JONES TRIES TO TAKE BACK THE FARM

ü  Jones and his men try to retake the farm but the animals fight against the invasion.

ü  The fight becomes known as 'The Battle of the Cowshed'.

ü  Awards are given for bravery to Snowball and Boxer.

THE ANIMALS VOTE ON THE WINDMILL

ü  Snowball suggests building a windmill.

ü  Napoleon thinks they should spend their time building up food stores instead.

ü  As the animals are about to vote on the matter, Napoleon calls his dogs into the barn.

ü  They are now fully grown and they chase Snowball away.

NAPOLEON AND THE PIGS BREAK THE COMMANDMENTS

ü  Supplies and food run short and the pigs start trading with the humans.

ü  They move into the farmhouse, sleep in beds and get up an hour later than the other animals.

ü  An incident occurs with some hens who protest against unfair treatment and refuse to hand their eggs over.

ü  Napoleon stops their food and nine of them die as a result.

THE MEN INVADE AND BLOW UP THE WINDMILL

ü  The animals finish the windmill for the second time, but with longer working hours and less food.

ü  During another attempted invasion by the men the windmill is blown up.

ü   The pigs then break another commandment by drinking alcohol to celebrate the victory of the invasion.

ü  The farm is proclaimed a republic and a president is 'elected' - but there was only one candidate to vote for, Napoleon.

BOXER COLLAPSES AND IS SOLD TO THE HORSE SLAUGHTERER

ü  Boxer falls whilst re-building the windmill.

ü  The pigs claim they will look after him but sell him to a horse slaughterer.

ü  Squealer lies to the other animals, telling them that Napoleon ensured that Boxer got the best treatment possible.

ü  The pigs use the money from the sale of Boxer to buy whisky.

THE PIGS BECOME JUST AS BAD AS MR JONES

ü  The pigs start behaving like humans

ü  Time moves on and the pigs grow fatter whilst the other animals work harder and are given less food.

ü  They now can't remember if they were better or worse off under the rule of Mr Jones.

THE PIGS BECOME JUST AS BAD AS MR JONES

ü  The pigs learn to walk on two legs and have adopted all of Mr Jones' bad habits that Old Major told them to avoid in his speech.

ü  They invite the humans they once fought against to the farm.

ü  Napoleon declares that the farm will be called 'Manor Farm' again, the animals watching the meeting cannot tell the difference between the humans and the pigs.

THEMES

Class , Equality and Inequality ,

Power , Control and Corruption.

ü  These themes are explored through the events and characters in the novel, and are an allegory for the Russian Revolution.

ü  The animals' unhappiness represents class struggle, this leads to the Rebellion which offers some equality.

ü  Then the pigs' actions allow inequality back on the farm.

ü  The theme of power and control is explored throughout the novel and is highlighted by the characters' relationships on the farm.

ü  The themes are political and explore what happened within Russian society in 1917 onwards.

ü  Orwell originally subtitled the novel 'a fairy story' suggesting he intended it as a fable.

ü  Animal Farm is an allegory for the Russian Revolution

ü  It is important to remember that even though the novel is based on events that took place in 1917, the themes are still relevant today.

Class in Animal Farm

ü  The animals on Animal Farm, like the Russian working class, broke free of their chains

ü  Before the Revolution of 1917, Tsar Nicholas II ruled Russia.

ü  The ruling classes had money and power, whilst most of the population were poor, exploited peasant workers or from the working class.

ü  These people lived in terrible conditions and what they farmed was taken from them leaving them to face starvation and poverty.

ü  The Revolution that came in 1917 sought to overthrow the Tsar and change the balance of society to give power back to the working class.

ü  The plot of Animal Farm closely parallels these events.

ü  In Animal Farm, Orwell uses the animals to highlight the hardships of the working classes.

ü  He uses Mr Jones as a symbol for the Emperor - to highlight how lazy and neglectful the Tsar was.

ü  The animals each represent a different section of society at the time - they are a metaphor for what happened to the people.

ü  The animals, like the working class of Russia, had short, difficult lives, working to produce things that the ruling class would take for themselves.

ü  The Rebellion on the farm seeks to change this, but the revolutionary pigs soon adopt the ways of the ruling class that they sought to abolish.

Equality and inequality in Animal Farm

ü  In Animal Farm, Orwell uses the animals and their actions to make the reader think about equality and inequality.

ü  Before 1917, the majority of Russian people suffered from great inequality - they had far less money and food than the ruling classes.

ü  Likewise, before the rebellion in Animal Farm Mr Jones takes everything that the animals have away from them.

ü  In Animal Farm, Orwell explores equality and inequality through:

ü  After the Rebellion the animals are free from the tyranny of Mr Jones and seek to establish equality amongst themselves.

ü  One of the Commandments is 'All animals are equal'.

ü  However, this equality is short-lived and the pigs begin to bend the rules until inequality returns to the farm.

ü  the inequality between the animals and mankind

ü  the equality that the animals seek to establish after the rebellion

ü  the inequality that begins again after the pigs take control

 Power and control in Animal Farm

ü  Farmer Jones tried to keep the animals under control

ü  Power and control is one of the most important themes in Animal Farm.

ü  Orwell explores political power - Mr Jones owns the farm and the animals and uses his men and whips to keep them under control and maintain his power.

ü  Orwell shows that the animals have the power to challenge Mr Jones' control and take over the farm - using power in a positive way.

 Power and control in Animal Farm

ü  He then explores how the pigs use rhetoric and propaganda to establish themselves in power and take control of the farm.

ü  It is interesting that the working animals, especially Boxer the horse, have great physical power but they don’t use it to break free from the control of the pigs.

ü  Orwell explores the idea of power leading to corruption.

ü  Many of the characters in the novel are eventually corrupted by the power they have, particularly the pigs, as they manipulate their position of leadership to exploit other animals.

ü  In Animal Farm, Orwell explores power and control through:

ü  Mr Jones exploiting his power and treating the animals badly

ü  the rebellion and how the animals use their power to take over the farm

ü  the pigs and how they cleverly control the other animals

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