Key Terms

• What is an allegory?

  A story with a hidden meaning
• How does Animal Farm serve as an allegory?

  It represents the Russian Revolution
• What is totalitarianism?

  A system with absolute control by one leader
• How is totalitarianism exemplified in Animal Farm?

  Through Napoleon’s dictatorship
• What is propaganda?

  Information used to manipulate public opinion
• How does Squealer use propaganda in Animal Farm?

  He convinces animals Napoleon is always right
• What is a cult of personality?

  A leader glorified to maintain power
• How is Napoleon portrayed in a cult of personality?

  He is worshipped like Stalin
• What does Orwellian mean?

  A system where truth is manipulated
• How does Animal Farm illustrate Orwellian concepts?

  The commandments are rewritten to justify rule
• What is communism?

  A political system for equality through ownership
• How does Old Major's vision relate to communism?

  It embodies the principles of Animalism
• What is capitalism?

  An economic system based on private ownership
• How is capitalism represented in Animal Farm?

  1. Jones runs the farm for profit
• What is revisionism?

  Rewriting history for political gain
• How do the pigs use revisionism in Animal Farm?

  They alter the past to justify actions
• What is an oligarchy?

  Rule by a small, elite group
• How is oligarchy depicted in Animal Farm?

  The pigs control the other animals
• What is demagoguery?

  Manipulating emotions for political gain
• How does Squealer exemplify demagoguery?

  He uses scare tactics about Jones returning
• What is satire?

  Humor or irony to criticize society
• How does Orwell use satire in Animal Farm?

  He mocks Stalin’s dictatorship
• What is dramatic irony?

  When the audience knows something characters do not
• How is dramatic irony used in Animal Farm?

  The animals believe they are free but are oppressed
• What is foreshadowing?

  Hints about future events
• How does foreshadowing appear in Animal Farm?

  Napoleon taking the puppies foreshadows dictatorship
• What is a euphemism?

  A mild term to soften harsh realities
• How do the pigs use euphemism in Animal Farm?

  They call food shortages "readjustments"
• What is verisimilitude?

  The appearance of truth or realism
• How does Orwell achieve verisimilitude in Animal Farm?

  Through realistic portrayal of political corruption
• What is anaphora?

  Repetition of a phrase for emphasis
• How is anaphora used in Animal Farm?

  The sheep chant "Four legs good, two legs bad!"
• What is juxtaposition?

  Placing two contrasting ideas together
• How does juxtaposition appear in Animal Farm?

  Pigs’ luxury vs. animals’ suffering
• What is pathos?

  A technique to evoke sympathy
• How is pathos used in Animal Farm?

  Boxer’s tragic fate evokes sympathy
• What is chiasmus?

  A reversal in the structure of phrases
• How is chiasmus exemplified in Animal Farm?

  "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others"
• What is hyperbole?

  Exaggeration for effect
• How is hyperbole used in Animal Farm?

  Napoleon is described as the best leader ever