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Year 10 - English

'Animal Farm': reading and discussing Chapter 3

Animal Farm: the pigs and power

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils start their exploration of Orwell's 'Animal Farm' by focusing on the pigs and how they weild power. Pupils first read the book before exploring symbolism, key characters and Orwell's methods. They finally hone their essay writing skills and write about the pigs' use of power.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain what happens in Chapter 3 of Animal Farm.

Key Notes

  • The pigs are the most intelligent animals on the farm.
  • Squealer uses rhetoric to control the less intelligent animals.
  • The pigs appear to be taking advantage of their position as leaders.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Rhetoric: The art of effective and persuasive public speaking is known as rhetoric.
  • Allusion: An allusion is an implied or indirect reference to something else. In Animal Farm Napoleon is an allusion to Stalin.
  • Allegory: If a story has a hidden moral or political message it is known as an allegory.
  • Bourgeois: Bourgeois means belonging to the middle class and having a strong interest in possessions and money.
  • Maxim: Maxims are short statements expressing general truths or rules. In Animal Farm 'Four Legs good, two legs bad' is a maxim.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The pigs immediately set about taking control of the farm.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

The pigs are the most intelligent animals on the farm. Squealer uses rhetoric to control the less intelligent animals.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Rhetoric'

The art of effective and persuasive public speaking is known as rhetoric.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: The pigs immediately set about taking control of the farm. Correction: The pigs' increasing power and control is a gradual process, relying on incremental changes in the commandments to gain overall control.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 English guide library.