Year 11 - English
Narrative voice and the concepts of truth and complicity in 'Animal Farm'
'Animal Farm': language manipulation and control
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils explore how language is used for control in 'Animal Farm'. They first look at the pigs' control of language, before exploring how the other animals' apathetic language contributes to their oppression. Pupils finally plan and write an essay about language manipulation.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explore the relationship between the narrative voice and the concepts of truth and complicity in Orwell's 'Animal Farm'.
Key Notes
- One interpretation might suggest that Orwell is using the narrator to say that truth is spoken in ordinary language.
- However, arguably, the narrator withholds information on the pigs' behaviour rather than explicitly saying the truth.
- Furthermore, we may see the narrator as justifying the pigs' actions and therefore being complicit in their oppression.
Vocabulary To Learn
- explicitly: in a clear and detailed manner, leaving no room for confusion or doubt
- neutrality: the state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.
- complicity: the fact or condition of being involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong
- omniscient narrator: a narrative voice that knows everything about the characters and events in the story
- exploitation: the action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The narrative voice of 'Animal Farm' reports the truth to the reader.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
One interpretation might suggest that Orwell is using the narrator to say that truth is spoken in ordinary language. However, arguably, the narrator withholds information on the pigs' behaviour rather than explicitly saying the truth.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'explicitly'
in a clear and detailed manner, leaving no room for confusion or doubt.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: The narrative voice of 'Animal Farm' reports the truth to the reader. Correction: Arguably, the narrative voice withholds information about the pig's oppressive behaviour.
More Lessons In This Unit
- How language creates social divisions in Orwell's 'Animal Farm' Study Guide
- The connection between a lack of voice and oppression in Orwell's 'Animal Farm' Study Guide
- The connection between shifting language and shifting ideology in 'Animal Farm' Study Guide
- The consequences of complicit and apathetic language in Orwell's 'Animal Farm' Study Guide
- The manipulation of language in Orwell's 'Animal Farm' Study Guide
- Writing a nuanced response on the manipulation of language in 'Animal Farm' Study Guide
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