Lesson video

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

My name's Dr.

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

So today's session is called The Connection Between Shifting Language and Shifting Ideology in "Animal Farm." So we're going to be thinking about how we can see the pigs' shifting ideas about Animalism.

Reflected in the shifting language.

Now that might relate to areas of language, ideology, and history.

Then we're going to think about how we might write about Orwell's intentions using tentative language.

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

So by the end of the lesson, you'll be able to explain how the pigs' shifting language represents a shifting ideologies in "Animal Farm." So we have five words today we're going to be using as our keywords.

They'll 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 word is perception, which means the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.

We're going to be thinking about the way in which people's understanding of an ideology is influenced by the language used around it.

Our second key word is manipulation, which means to control or influence something or someone.

So you get an advantage often unfairly or dishonesty.

We're going to be thinking about how the pigs use language to influence not only the animals themselves, but also how they understand the ideas of Animalism.

Our third keyword is ideology, which means a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of an economic or political theory.

Throughout this lesson, we're going to be thinking about how language influences our understanding of ideas, particularly ideas of Animalism.

Our fourth code is intention, which means something you want and plan to do, an aim.

So we're going to be thinking about why Orwell might present language in this way, what you might be saying about language and society.

Our final key word is tentative, which is not definite or certain.

We're going to be thinking about why it's important to use tentative language when talking about our rights intentions, but also what language we might use to be tentative.

So I'll just give you a moment to write down those key words 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 be thinking about how the pig's use of language reflects their shifting ideas around the principles of Animalism and how they use their language to influence the other animals' understanding of Animalism.

And how this might relate to ideas for society, language, and political ideas.

For our second learning cycle, we're going to think about how we can use tentative language to write about all intentions.

So we're going to be thinking about why using tentative language is important.

As well as what language we might use to be tentative.

So let's begin by thinking about Animalism as an ideology.

So as a set of ideas and beliefs.

Now at the beginning of Orwell's" Animal Farm," Old Major's speech forms a basis of the rebellion's ideology called Animalism.

Now the principles for Animalism were turned into the seven commandments.

So number one, whatever goes upon two legs as an enemy, whatever goes upon four legs or has wings, is a friend.

No animal shall wear clothes, no animal shall sleep in a bed.

No animal shall drink alcohol.

No animal shall kill any other animal.

All animals are equal.

So we might say the principles of Animalism are found on these ideas for quality between the animals.

And no animal having more privileges than another animal.

However, we can see the pig's belief shift as the novel progresses and the language reflects that.

Now at the beginning of "Animal Farm," Old Major's speech contains the pronouns we and our throughout.

So what I'd like you to think about is how does this represent the ideology of Animalism? Remember we said that Animalism was about ideas of equality between the animals, them all working together to achieve utopia for themselves.

Now, if going through with someone else, you might talk about 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.

Now, one of our Oak pupils, Lucas said, "I think the use of inclusive pronouns create a sense of collective identity and unity among the animals.

It represents the idea that all of the animals are equal, which is a key part of the ideology of Animalism." So what I'd like you to do now is think about whether you agree with Lucas, why or why not? Pause the video.

Take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back everyone.

It was great to see people engaging with Lucas' ideas.

I think there's a general consensus that using pronouns such as we and our is a way of making everyone feel involved, making everyone feel equal.

Just as Animalism was meant to do for the animals.

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? At the beginning of Animal Farm, the language represents the ideology of Animalism.

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

Welcome back everyone.

You might have said the use of inclusive pronouns, we and our creates a sense of unity and equality amongst the animals.

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

However, we can see a shift in the pig's language as the novel progresses, that arguably represents their shifting ideology.

We see as the novel progresses, the idea of this animal utopia, where they're all equal, they can all have a better life isn't the reality.

The pigs become increasingly harsh and oppressive in their treatment of the animals.

And ultimately the animals are no better off than they were under the humans.

So for example, when convinced the animals, the pigs' should have exclusive access to milk and apples, Squealer says, "Comrades, you do not imagine, I hope, we pigs are doing this in the spirit of selfishness and privilege.

So what I'd like you to think about is how does this represent the shift away from their equality in the pig's ideology? Pause the video, take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back, I saw some great ideas there.

One of Oak pupils Izzy said, "I think the shift to 'you' and 'we' pigs demonstrates how the pig's ideology is beginning to show hierarchy within the farm.

It's suggests the pigs perceive themselves having a collective identity and the rest of the animals are not part of that.

By using language to the other animals.

Squealer suggesting to them that this hierarchy is part of their shared ideology." So what I'd like you to think about is do you agree with Izzy? Why or why not? Pause the video.

Take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back everyone.

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

I think we can definitely see the pig's language reflecting, the fact they see themselves as separate from the other animals, and as Izzy says, Squealer is trying to convince him this separation hierarchy is part of the principles of Animalism, part of their shared ideas.

So we can see how language can manipulate people's perception of ideas.

So now quick a check for understanding.

What I'd like you to do is tell me which interpretation is the most relevant to ideas of the pigs' shifting ideology.

Is it A, the 'you' Squealer's speech perhaps represents how the fundamental principle of collectivism and Animalism has changed.

Or B, the 'you' Squealer's speech represents how Squealer is using persuasive rhetoric in order to convince the animals.

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

Welcome back everyone.

The correct answer is A, the 'you' in Squealer's speech perhaps represents how the fundamental principle of collectivism and Animalism has changed.

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

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

Welcome back everyone.

You might have said, while Squealer does employ persuasive rhetoric, the concept of separation is most relevant to ideas, the pigs' shifting ideology.

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

Now for me, I think one of the most powerful representations of the shifting language and ideology is through the farm's name.

So following the rebellion, the name "Manor Farm," is painted out and replaced with "Animal Farm." So what I'd like you to do is think about how this changed.

Animal Farm represents the ideology of Animalism at the start of the novel.

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

Welcome back everyone, some great ideas there.

You might have said, the shift to "Animal Farm," demonstrates the animal's ownership over themselves and their labour that Animalism isn't supposed to bring.

You also might have thought, it demonstrates equality through the inclusive animal.

It shows all of the animals have a shared sense of belonging and ownership over the farm.

However, at the end of the novel, Napoleon announces to the men the name "Animal Farm," had been abolished.

Hence forward.

The farm was to be known as "Manor Farm," which he believed is its correct and original name.

So what I'd like you to think about is how a shift back to "Manor Farm," represents the pigs' shift away from the ideology of Animalism.

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

Welcome back everyone, some fantastic ideas there.

Now one of our Oak pupils Laura said, "I think the shift in language represents the pigs' ultimate shift away from Animalism.

They're reverting to a name that represents human control over the animals and reducing the rest of the animals to inconsequential beings in the process.

Reverting back to 'Manor Farm,' implies an erasure of Animalism.

It's suggests that "Animal Farm," never existed." So what I'd like you to do is tell me whether you agree with Laura's ideas.

Why or why not? Pause the video.

Take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back everyone.

It was great to see people engaged with Laura's ideas.

I think it really demonstrates the animals don't have any ownership over the farm, no sense of belonging there.

They've been erased from any sense of ownership and belonging through the change back to the human name for the farm.

So now for quick check for understanding.

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

Is it true or false? The shifting farm name is unrelated to the shifting ideology of the pigs.

Pause the video.

Take a few moments to think about it.

The correct answer is false.

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

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

Welcome back everyone.

You might have said, the change to "Animal Farm," represents the principles of Animalism, while the final change back to "Manor Farm,' represents the pigs' rejection of Animalism.

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 think about what Orwell might have been trying to say about language and ideology.

What was his intention? So what was his aim in presenting language and ideology in this way? You might consider, the pigs represent those in power.

What do you think Orwell might have been suggesting about how those in power use language? The pigs arguably rewrite the principles of Animalism through their language.

What might Orwell be suggesting about language, history and society? So pause the video, take a few minutes to discuss.

Welcome back everyone, some fantastic discussions there.

Now what I'd like you to do, is think about Aisha and Alex's ideas.

Do you agree? Why or why not? So Aisha said, "I think Orwell's intention is to demonstrate that those in power use language in order to manipulate people's concepts of ideology." And Alex said, "I also think that Orwell might be suggesting that language can be used to rewrite history.

Reverting back to "Manor Farm," reinforces how language can erase the past." So pause the video.

Think about Aisha and Alex ideas.

Do you agree? Why or why not? Welcome back everyone.

Now we're going to move on to our second learning cycle.

We're going to think about how we can write about Orwell's intentions using tentative language.

Amazing work everyone.

We're now at the second learning cycle.

We're going to think about tentative language.

So why we should use tentative language when talking about writer's intentions and some examples of how we can use tentative language.

So when writing analytically, you want to use tentative language.

So language is not certain or definitive, particularly when talking about the writer's intentions.

So what I'd like to start off by thinking about, is why do you think we might want to use tentative language in our writing, particularly when we're talking about writer's intentions.

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

Welcome back everyone.

Some great ideas there.

They might have said, we don't want to be definitive in our ideas.

Because there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to interpreting a text.

Because everyone may have a completely different interpretation of a word or technique.

Texts can spark completely different reactions of different people because our reactions are dependent on our memories, ideas, and experiences.

We can also never truly know the rights intentions.

We can make educated guesses based on the evidence in front of us, but we can't be certain.

Because writers themselves might not be consciously aware of some of the factors influencing their works.

So to make your writing tentative, you might include tentative verbs and adverbs.

So for example, the following sentence is definitive.

Orwell uses a shifting language around the ideology of Animalism to show how language can be used to rewrite history.

Now, we might add a tentative adverb to make it tentative.

Arguably, Orwell uses a shifting language around the ideology of Animalism to show how language can be used to rewrite history.

So let's talk through some examples.

Now, in terms of tentative verbs, you could use words such as could, may or might.

So you might say Orwell's presentation of the pigs' shifting language around Animalism could represent how those in power use language to manipulate perceptions of ideology.

We can take that word could, replace it with may and might.

All of those senses are tentative rather than definitive.

We could also use tentative adverbs such as perhaps maybe, and arguably.

So it might say, Orwell's use of shifting language around Animalism perhaps suggest that those in power can use language to rewrite history and ideological principles.

Again, we can take that word perhaps and replace it with maybe and arguably in order to make our writing tentative.

So now for a quick check for understanding.

So what I'd like you to do is tell me which the following sentences use tentative language.

Is it A, by presenting the pigs' shifting ideologies, Orwell demonstrating how those in power use language to manipulate people.

B, the change of farm name from "Animal Farm," to "Manor Farm", represents the erasure of Animalism.

Or C, the use of inclusive pronouns in Old Major's speech, could be seen as representing the founding principles of Animalism.

So pause the video.

Take a few moments to think about it.

Welcome back everyone.

Now sentence C uses tentative verb could.

So it uses tentative language.

So very well done if you got that right.

Amazing work everyone.

Now the final task of the lesson.

So what I'd like you to do is take all of our ideas from this lesson and use them to write a short answer to the question.

What do you think Orwell's intentions were in his presentation of language and ideology in "Animal farm?" Now remember to use tentative language.

and think about how Orwell's intentions might connect to ideas of power, language, and ideology.

So pause the video, write your answer now.

Welcome back everyone, some fantastic work there.

Now what I'd like you to do is think about Sophia's ideas.

How can we rewrite them to use tentative language? So Sophia originally wrote, through his presentation, the pigs' shifting ideologies, Orwell is demonstrating how those in power can use language to manipulate people's perceptions of ideology.

Furthermore, Orwell is commenting on how language can be used by those in power to rewrite history.

So pause the video, think about how we can rewrite Sophia's answer to include tentative language.

Welcome back everyone.

You might have said, through his presentation of the pigs' shifting ideologies, Orwell is arguably demonstrating how those in power can use language to manipulate people's perceptions of ideology.

Furthermore, through this, Orwell is perhaps commenting on how language can be used by those in power to rewrite history.

Now you can take these ideas about tentative language and use them in any analytical writing you may do in the future.

You all did amazingly well today everyone.

Here's a summary of what we covered.

We can see the pigs language shifting throughout "Animal Farm." So we see them using inclusive pronouns at the start of the novel, such we and our, which represents ideas of inclusion and equality.

But then we see a shift to calling the animals to you, which creates separation between the pigs and the other animals.

Now arguably this shift represents ideological shifts.

At the beginning of the novel, the pigs creates the idea that Animalism was by inclusion and equality between the animals.

We increasingly see them want to take power for themselves at the expense of the other animals.

For example, the shifting place name represents the pig's shifting ideology around Animalism.

At the beginning of the novel, the change to "Animal Farm," represents the animals taking ownership over the farm and their labour.

However, Napoleon's announcement at the end that the farms reverting back to "Manor Farm," represents the erasure of Animalism and the animals themselves.

The animals have no ownership over the farm or their labour.

Potentially Orwell might be using this to comment on how language can be used to rewrite history.

I really hope you enjoyed the lesson everyone.

I hope see you for another lesson soon.

Goodbye.