Old major

• Who is Old Major in Animal Farm?

  • Mr. Jones' prize boar
  • Gathers animals for a speech
  • Represents Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin
• What does Old Major tell the animals in his speech?

  That mankind and Mr. Jones are the 'enemy' responsible for their misery
• How does Old Major describe the men in his speech?

  He describes them as cruel, consuming without producing
• What does Old Major predict will happen one day?

  A rebellion will come, and the animals will overthrow mankind
• What song does Old Major teach the animals?

  Beasts of England
• What is the significance of the song Beasts of England?

  It symbolizes a time when animals are free and humans are overthrown
• What happens to Old Major shortly after his speech?

  He dies
• What do the other pigs do after Old Major's death?

  They create 'Animalism', a set of rules for animals to live by
• How is Old Major characterized in the text?

  • Well-respected: Animals lose sleep to hear him
  • Good speaker: Uses rhetorical techniques to persuade
  • Intelligent: Understands the nature of life from experience
• What evidence shows Old Major is well-respected?

  Animals are willing to lose an hour's sleep to hear his speech
• What linguistic techniques does Old Major use in his speech?

  He uses rhetorical questions and emotive language
• How does Old Major engage the other animals in his speech?

  By using inclusive pronouns like 'comrades' and 'our'
• What does Old Major claim about the produce of their labor?

  It is stolen from them by human beings
• What does Old Major suggest will happen if they get rid of humans?

  They could become rich and free
• How does Old Major use rhetorical devices to persuade the animals?

  • Uses rhetorical questions to engage the audience
  • Employs inclusive pronouns to unite the animals
  • Memorable phrases help convey his message clearly
• What is the historical context of Old Major's character?

  He is partly based on Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin
• What did Karl Marx develop that relates to Old Major?

  Marxism, which is similar to 'Animalism'
• What did Vladimir Lenin establish in Russia?

  A form of Marxism in the early 20th-century
• How does Old Major's message relate to the concept of rebellion?

  He encourages the animals to work for the overthrow of the human race
• What is the purpose of rhetorical devices in Old Major's speech?

  To persuade and inspire the other animals
• What are the key rhetorical devices used by Old Major?

  • Rhetorical questions
  • Inclusive pronouns
  • Emotive language
  • Memorable phrases