Activity Overview
Allegories rely on extensive symbolic meaning to convey their messages. For students to decipher and understand these extended metaphors, it is helpful to track parallels between the text and the larger issues it is representing. Check out our lesson on Allegory!
In Animal Farm, Orwell uses the allegory of animals revolting on a farm to condemn Stalinist Russia. Orwell creates many parallels between the farm and communist Russia. For example: the Commandments of Animalism mimic ideas that Karl Marx outlined in "The Communist Manifesto." The various animals in the novel were used to symbolize important figures of the Russian communist movement such as Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.
As a lesson, have your students create a storyboard that shows the parallels between the events and characters of the farm and those during and after Russia’s communist revolution.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows examples of allegory in Animal Farm.
- Identify instances of allegory in the text.
- Depict and describe the example of allegory from the text on the left side.
- Depict and describe the reference to the larger issue or event on the right side.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 20 Points | Emerging 17 Points | Beginning 13 Points | Try Again 10 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegory Identification and Completion | The allegories identified are correct, and all major/important allegories in the text have been addressed. There is a quote or summary provided with each allegory. | Most of the allegories identified are correct, and all major/important allegories in the text have been addressed. There is a quote or summary provided with each allegory. | Most of the allegories identified are incorrect, or some of the major/important allegories in the text are not addressed. Quotes or summaries may not be provided for all of the identified allegories. | Most of the allegories identified are incorrect, or the major/important allegories may be missing, or the allegories provided are too limited to score. Quotes or summaries may be missing or too limited to score. |
| Real-World Examples Identification and Completion | The real-world examples connected to each allegory are correct, showing a thoughtful correlation between the two. | Most of the real-world examples connected to each allegory are correct, and show a correlation between the two. | Most of the real-world examples connected to each allegory are incorrect. | Most of the real-world examples connected to the allegories are missing or too limited to score. |
| Analysis of Allegory and Real-World Example | Analysis of allegories and real-world examples explores a connection between the two that adds insight to the understanding of the text as a whole. | Analysis of allegories and real-world examples shows a connection between the two. There is a basic discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole. | Some analysis of allegories and the real-world examples is minimal, unclear, or incorrect. There is an attempt of discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole. | Most of the analysis of the allegories and the real-world examples is minimal, unclear, incorrect, or too limited to score. There is no attempt of discussion of how the allegory adds to the understanding of the text as a whole. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the allegories and the real-world examples are historically appropriate to both the allegory, the work of literature, and the real-world example. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the allegories and the real-world examples should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
How To Explain the Concept of Allegory To Younger Students
Define Allegory
Give the students a simple definition of the term and explain to them that when the stories represent an important lesson using simple ideas and different characters, we call them allegorical stories. Tell the students to not be scared of complex words and to try to understand the concept first.
Give a Specific Example
Pick an easy-to-understand, well-known allegory, such as "The Tortoise and the Hare." Describe the lessons about patience and perseverance that the characters, a speedy hare and a sluggish tortoise, teach us. Explain to the students how a simple story is connected with important central ideas.
Explore Valuable Lessons
Ask the students about valuable lessons of everyday life and how they think these lessons are incorporated into stories. Explore some moral values and lessons from the cartoons or books that the students are familiar with. For instance, most of the kids' cartoons are focused on the fight between good and evil.
Discuss Individual Experiences
Ask the students to recall instances in which they have gained valuable knowledge from a story or a cartoon. Get their attention by asking them things such as, "Have you ever read a story that taught you a valuable lesson?" Asking open-ended questions will help them get a grip and understanding of the concept.
Encourage Reflection
Encourage critical thinking by asking questions about the central ideas and the author’s intentions. Summarize all the lessons that students have learned up till now and help them apply these concepts by assigning an activity or asking them to write an allegorical story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Farm Allegory
What is the central lesson or moral of the story for the readers?
The story is about the perils of unlimited authority and how power-hungry people can abuse this authority. It emphasizes how well-intentioned revolutions may turn into tyrannical governments. It also reflects on the irony of historical occurrences and the repetition of history.
How is the Russian Revolution of 1917 represented in the story?
The story of Animal Farm is directly influenced by the Russian Revolution of 1917 and hence is an Allegory of specific historical events and important figures. The collapse of the Russian monarchy is represented by the animals' uprising against Mr. Jones. The ensuing happenings on the farm are a reflection of the Bolsheviks gaining control and the rise of authoritarianism under Stalin's direction. Karl Marx’s ideologies also played an important role in this revolution and uprising.
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