Lesson video

Hello, everyone, it's lovely to see you here today.

My name's Dr.

Clayton, and I'm going to guide you through your learning journey today.

So today lesson is called, How Language Creates Social Divisions in Orwell's "Animal Farm." So, we're going to be looking at how the language is used to create social distinctions in "Animal Farm," but also how it's used to alienate people and create divisions within society.

So, if you're ready, grab your pen, laptop, whatever you're using for this lesson, and let's get started.

So, by the end of the lesson, you'll be able to explain how language creates social distinctions and divisions in "Animal Farm." So we have five words today we're going to be using as our keywords.

They'll be identified in bold throughout the learning material, and I'll try to point them out to you as well, so you can see them being used in context.

So our first keyword is divisive, which means tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people.

We're going to be thinking about how language can create hostility between people.

Our second keyword is differentiate, which means to show or find the difference between things that are compared.

Our third keyword is distinction, which means the difference or contrast between similar things or people.

And our fourth keyword is alienate, which means to make someone feel as if they're different and not part of a group.

We're going to be looking at how the language in "Animal Farm" is used to create the idea of difference between the animals and make some animals feel as if they're not part of the whole group.

Our final keyword is dissent, which means strong disagreement or dissatisfaction with a decision or opinion.

We're going to be thinking about how this language of division can be a means of controlling dissent, and preventing those who disagree with you from gaining support amongst others.

So, I'll just give you a moment to write down those keywords and their definitions.

So pause the video, write them down now.

Fantastic, let's get started with the lesson.

So, we have two learning cycles in our lesson today.

For our first learning cycle, we're going to explore the use of titles and salutations used in "Animal Farm", and how they're used to create these distinctions between the animals.

For our second learning cycle, we're going to think about how we can see this language of division, being used to control the other animals, and suppress any dissent or disagreement from them, about the pigs' actions or behaviour.

Now, something I want you to hold in your mind throughout this lesson is that the language we use determines our relationship with others.

It's always signifying what our social connection to other people is.

It can be used to create connections or create divisions.

Think about the difference between calling someone a friend or an acquaintance.

One's just a close relationship, while the other does not.

You're showing a social relationship with someone through the language you use.

So, at the beginning of the novel, Old Major calls the animals "comrades" and says that man is the "enemy." So what I'd like to think about is what is the significance of this? What does suggest about the animals and their relationship to each other? Now, if you're working through someone else, you might talk through ideas with them.

If going through this by yourself, you might just think about ideas, so pause the video, take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone, some great ideas there.

Let's talk through some of the things you might have said.

Now, "comrade" is a way of talking about someone who's in the same organisation as you, or a fellow soldier or member of the military.

So calling the animals "comrades," suggests the animals suggests the animals are all part of this distinct social group, that's separate from the humans because they are the enemy.

Now enemy has strong connotations, it suggests the humans are a completely separate social group, whose ideas and values do not align with the animals.

So we have this idea that language is uniting the animals against the humans at the start of the novel.

So, now for a quick check for understanding, and what I'd like you to do is tell me whether the following statement is True or False.

So is it true or false? The pigs' language at the beginning of the novel creates a social connection between the animals.

Pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

The correct answer is true.

Now, I'd like to tell me why it's true.

So pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone.

You might have said: By calling the animals "comrades" and calling man the "enemy", Old Major suggests the animals are part of a distinct social group together that's separate from mankind.

So very well done if you got those right.

However, as the novel progresses, we see language being used to create distinctions between the animals, so language is used to create differences between the animals.

For example, after the Battle of the Cowshed, the animals create military distinctions.

So if "Animal hero, First Class," "Animal Hero, Second Class." So what I'd like you to think about is what is the significance of these separate distinctions? Pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone, some great ideas there.

Now Oak pupil Sam said, "I think the military distinctions create social divisions because it implies the animals are being differentiated based on a judgement of their actions.

Specifically, the "first" and "second" class implies a social distinction between the levels of heroism.

So what I'd like to think about, is do you agree with Sam's ideas? Why or why not? Pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone.

It was great to see people engaging with Sam's ideas.

Now, while the military distinctions are framed as a reward, they do create divisions between the animals, because they're previously seen as the same.

But now we see the pigs start to make judgements about the animals, and reward those they feel are worthy.

This suggests the animals are no longer seen as the same.

Now, as well as military distinctions, the pigs also begin using titles for Napoleon within the novel.

At the beginning of the novel, Napoleon is referred to as "Comrade" with the rest of the animals, however, he then adopts the title "Leader." So what I'd like you to think about is what is the significance of this? Think about the title itself, but also the word "adopts." Pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone, some great ideas there.

Now as one of our Oak pupil, Lucas says, :I think it creates a social distinction because it elevates Napoleon above the other animals; furthermore, by saying he :adopts" the title, Orwell is suggesting this elevation is something he's granted himself rather than being something that's been earned." So, now a quick check for understanding, what I'd like you to do is tell me whether the following statement is true or false.

So is it true or false, that as the novel progresses, the pigs' language creates social divisions and distinctions between the animals? Pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

The correct answer is true.

Now, I'd like to tell me why it's true.

So pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone, you might have said; By conferring military distinctions and titles onto some animals, the pigs' language elevates some animals over others, and therefore creates social divisions and distinctions.

So very well done if you've got those right.

Now, as well as the title of "Leader," Orwell also says, "The pigs liked to invent for Napoleon's, such titles as Father of All Animals, Terror of Mankind, Protector of the Sheep-fold, Ducklings' Friend." So what I'd like you to focus on is the word "invent." What does it suggest about the titles and social division? Pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone, some great ideas there.

Now, Oak pupil Izzy says, "I think it reinforces the idea that language creates social divisions and distinctions between people, that aren't innate." So what I'd like you to think about is whether you agree with Izzy, why or why not? Pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone, it was great to see people engaging with Izzy's ideas.

Orwell is so precise in his use of language, and I think "invent" is purposely done, to help us understand his elevation is something that language has allowed for Napoleon.

We perceive him as more important because of the titles conveyed upon him.

So, now for a quick check for understanding, What I'd like you to do, is tell me which is the most relevant interpretation of the word "invent" in relation to social distinctions, is A, it implies the pigs have created social distinctions through language, or B, it implies the pigs are incredibly creative in their use of language? So, pause a video, and take a few moments to think about it.

The correct answer is A, it implies the pigs have created social distinctions through language.

Now I'd like to tell me why it's A, so pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone, you might have said: While invention is linked to creativity, in this context, it suggest that pigs are elevating Napoleon and creating social distinctions through their language.

So very well done if you got those right.

Amazing work, everyone! Now, the first task of the lesson.

So what I'd like you to do is write a topic sentence and concluding sentence to complete this single-paragraph outline.

So what you have at the moment are the supporting details.

You have "Animal Hero, First Class," "Animal Hero, Second Class, and this implies the animals are being judged and differentiated based on their actions.

"First" and "Second" specifically is language that conveys distinct levels.

We have the word "Leader," and that's language that creates a social distinction and elevates Napoleon.

And we have the word "invent." This highlights the pigs a creating language that shows social distinctions.

Now remember that: a topic sentence should explain the main focus of the paragraph.

A concluding sentence should summarise the paragraph while considering the writer's intentions.

So pause the video, write your topic sentence and concluding sentence now.

Welcome back, everyone, some fantastic ideas there.

Now, I'd like you to think about Sophia's ideas, about whether or not you agree.

So for Sophia's topic sentence she said, "In 'Animal Farm Orwell explores how language can be used to create social distinctions between the animals." And for the concluding sentence Sophia said, "Ultimately, Orwell arguably shows social divisions are not innate, they are something society conveys through language." So pause the video, and think about whether or not you agree with Sophia, why or why not? Well, welcome back, everyone.

Now, I think these ideas of language and social distinction really feed into Orwell's ideas about language and power.

It's the idea that power can be repeated through language.

Napoleon uses language to call himself the "Leader of the Animals," and this gives him more power.

Amazing work, everyone.

We're now moving on to the second learning cycle.

` We're going to think about how these ideas of language and social division relate to ideas of control.

Now arguably, the pigs utilise divisive language in order to exert control over the animals' behaviour.

So the pigs utilise language as hostile undertones in order to control the animals.

So at the beginning of the novel, the pigs use "we" and "our," as part of their persuasive language to get the animals to see themselves as a social collective.

However, when he wants to persuade the animals, Squealer says, "Surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?" So, what I'd like to think about is what is the significance about Squealer use of "no one" and "you" in relation to ideas control and division? Pause the video, and a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone, some fantastic ideas there.

Now one of the Oak pupils, Laura said, "I think the use of "you" and "no one" are quite alienating.

As it's designed to be the animal's belief that if they do think like that they're not part of the group.

I think this is linked to control because it makes the animals feel as if they must agree in order to remain part of the social group." So, what I'd like to do now is think about whether you agree with Laura's ideas, why or why not? Pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone, it was great to see people engaging with Laura's ideas, and thinking about how we're inherently social creatures, we want to feel as though we belong, so we can imagine the animals wouldn't want to feel separated from their social group.

Now, when talking about animals who've gone against their wishes, the pigs refers to them as "traitors." So what I'd like to think about is what is significant about the word "traitor" in relation to ideas of control and division? Pause a video, and take a few members to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone, some great ideas there.

Now one of Oak pupils, Alex said, "I think the word "traitor" implies anyone who disagrees with the pigs is betraying the animals and the cause.

I think it's significant that it's only the pigs who call other animals "traitors," it implies they control who's seen as betraying the cause." So, what I'd like you to think about now is do you agree with Alex's ideas, why or why not? Pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone.

It was great to see people engaging with Alex's ideas, and thinking about what a loaded word "traitor" is.

It really creates a sense of betrayal, it's very divisive language, it creates a real sense of hostility towards those who disagree with the pigs.

So, now for a quick check for understanding.

What I'd like you to do is tell me whether the following statement is true or false.

So is it true or false, that arguably, the pigs use divisive language to create a sense of control over the animals? Pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

The correct answer is true now I'd like to tell me why it's true.

So pause the video, and take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, everyone.

You might have said: By using divisive and alienating language towards those who disagree with them, the pigs are arguably asserting control over the animals since they do not want to be excluded from their social group.

So very well done if you've got those right.

Amazing work, everyone, we're onto the the final task of the lesson.

So what I'd like you to do is write a short answer the following question, what do you think Orwell might be saying about those in power in relation to divisive language and control through the pigs' language? Now, you might consider, the pig's use of alienating language to dissuade descent and disagreement.

The pigs use of divisive language to dissuade descent and disagreement.

So pause the video, and write your answer now.

Welcome back, everyone, some fantastic work there.

What I'd like you to do is think about Lucas' ideas, and whether you agree or not.

So Lucas said, "I think Orwell is suggesting that those in power manipulate and control people's perceptions through their use of alienating and divisive language.

Through the pigs' language, we see them using isolating pronouns in order to alienate anyone who has a different opinion from them.

Thus, we might suggest that Orwell is implying that the language of those in power can alter our perception of individuals.

The divisive language not only makes dissenting individuals feel as if they are outsiders, but specifically geared towards turning the other member of the group against the dissenting individuals." So pause the video, and take a few minutes to think about whether or not you agree with Lucas.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now, I think these ideas of language and social division, really speak to Orwell's ideas about language and how much power it has in society.

It can really affect our perception of the social bonds between us and other people.

It can be wielded by those in power to affect how we see those other people.

You all did really well today, here's a summary of what we covered.

The language we use determines our relationship and connections with others.

So it signifies our social relationships with others, and how we perceive that relationship, as well as connections, language can be used to alienate and differentiate.

So language can be used to make people feel as if they're outsiders and different from the social group.

Orwell arguably demonstrates how language can be used to create social distinctions.

We see in "Animal Farm" how the animals create military distinctions, which arguably shows the judgement over which animals display heroism, which animals do not.

We can all see Napoleon adopting the title of "Leader," which elevates him above the other animals.

Furthermore, Orwell may be commenting on how language can control people through isolation and division, we arguably see how the pigs control the other animals by using isolating pronouns, and divisive language, to talk about those who disagree with them, which dissuades the other animals from disagreeing because they want to belong to a social group, they don't want to feel as if they're outsiders.

I really hope you enjoy the lesson, everyone I hope to see you for another lesson soon, goodbye.