Narrative voice and the concepts of truth and complicity in 'Animal Farm'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore the relationship between the narrative voice and the concepts of truth and complicity in Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’.
Key learning points
- One interpretation might suggest that Orwell is using the narrator to say that truth is spoken in ordinary language.
- However, arguably, the narrator withholds information on the pigs’ behaviour rather than explicitly saying the truth.
- Furthermore, we may see the narrator as justifying the pigs’ actions and therefore being complicit in their oppression.
Keywords
Explicitly - in a clear and detailed manner, leaving no room for confusion or doubt
Neutrality - the state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.
Complicity - the fact or condition of being involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong
Omniscient narrator - a narrative voice that knows everything about the characters and events in the story
Exploitation - the action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work
Common misconception
The narrative voice of 'Animal Farm' reports the truth to the reader.
Arguably, the narrative voice withholds information about the pig's oppressive behaviour.
Teacher tip
You might explore the idea that the narrator never reveals the private conversations between the pigs - how do pupils feel that that influences the reader's perception of the novel?
Equipment
You may wish to have a copy of Orwell's 'Animal Farm' for this lesson.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who wrote 'Animal Farm'?
Q2.Which of the following is the best description of the pigs' actions in Orwell's 'Animal Farm'?
Q3.Which of the following is the definition of manipulative?
Q4.'Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority' is the definition of which word beginning with 'o'?
Q5.The 'all-knowing voice in a story' is the definition of which of the following?
Q6.'The state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.' is the definition of which word beginning with 'n'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'To say something explicitly' means which of the following?
Q2.In Orwell's 'Animal Farm', what does the narrative voice tell us about what happened to the milk?
Q3.'The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?
Q4.Complete the quotation from Orwell's 'Animal Farm': Napoleon walking on his hind legs was " upright".
Q5.Complete the quotation from Orwell's 'Animal Farm': "from __________ the pigs had acquired the money to buy themselves another case of whisky."
Q6.'The fact or condition of being involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Narrative voice and the concepts of truth and complicity in 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Narrative voice and the concepts of truth and complicity in 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the ‘Animal Farm’: language manipulation and control unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.