A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. The stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned – a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible!

When Animal Farm was first published, Stalinist Russia was seen as its target. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the cutting clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell’s masterpiece have a meaning and a message still ferociously fresh.

Through George Orwell’s sharp and insightful satire students will learn:

Author Biography: Learn more about George Orwell.

Background Information: Governments and economics.

Before-You-Read Activities: Russia, allegories, Spanish Civil War.

Vocabulary words used throughout the novel, utilizing a variety of activities to stimulate retention and growth.

Literary Techniques: Thesaurus, antonyms, anthropomorphism, personification, foreshadowing, rhetoric, poetic justice, dictionary, irony, misdirection, maxim, mood, juxtaposition, comic relief, corollary, paradox, euphemism, doublespeak, epiphany, synonym, nihilism, in context, full-circle ending, conflict, dramatic structure, theme.

Moral Lessons and Character Values: Care for animals, charity and helping the poor, work together, sanctity of life, love our enemies, leadership, faith in God, fear-mongering, anxiety, fear, trust, power vs. humility, servanthood, obeying authority, justly challenging authority and abuse, despair, depression, ethnocentrism (racism).

Activities and Writing Assignments: Historical connections, essays, music, poster, Golden Age, Caesar, military, flags, committees, science, debate, class discussion, politics, journalism, newspapers, art, historical revisionism vs. historical negationism, Bible study, propaganda, free speech.

Suggestions for Further Reading: We include an in-depth reading list of more books by the same author(s) and other books that tie in with, or are similar to, Animal Farm by George Orwell.

All of the unit lessons are written from a Christian worldview!

Features and Benefits of the study guide

Printed Workbook Format

• Large 8.5×11 format is convenient to read and easy on the eyes
• Every question has plenty of whitespace for student’s answers
• Encourages neat and clean handwriting practice
• Easily transports without the need for a laptop or other expensive equipment
• Provides a permanent record of the student’s work
• Convenient, removable answer key included for the teacher!