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Year 11
AQA

Narrative voice and the concepts of truth and complicity in 'Animal Farm'

I can explore the relationship between the narrative voice and the concepts of truth and complicity in Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’.

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New
New
Year 11
AQA

Narrative voice and the concepts of truth and complicity in 'Animal Farm'

I can explore the relationship between the narrative voice and the concepts of truth and complicity in Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. One interpretation might suggest that Orwell is using the narrator to say that truth is spoken in ordinary language.
  2. However, arguably, the narrator withholds information on the pigs’ behaviour rather than explicitly saying the truth.
  3. 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.


To help you plan your year 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...

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?
Teacher tip

Equipment

You may wish to have a copy of Orwell's 'Animal Farm' for this lesson.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who wrote 'Animal Farm'?
George Eliot
Correct answer: George Orwell
George R. R. Martin
Q2.
Which of the following is the best description of the pigs' actions in Orwell's 'Animal Farm'?
The pigs work for the benefit of all the animals.
Correct answer: The pigs work for the benefit of themselves.
The pigs work for the benefit of the humans.
Q3.
Which of the following is the definition of manipulative?
Correct answer: exerting influence over someone or something to your advantage
being submissive to the influence and control of others
using harsh conditions and measures to control someone else
Q4.
'Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority' is the definition of which word beginning with 'o'?
Correct Answer: oppression, oppressive, oppress, Oppression
Q5.
The 'all-knowing voice in a story' is the definition of which of the following?
an omnipatient narrator
Correct answer: an omniscient narrator
an omnipotent narrator
Q6.
'The state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.' is the definition of which word beginning with 'n'?
Correct Answer: neutrality, neutral, Neutrality, Neutral

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
'To say something explicitly' means which of the following?
to suggest something indirectly
to withhold information
Correct answer: to say something clearly
Q2.
In Orwell's 'Animal Farm', what does the narrative voice tell us about what happened to the milk?
The pigs drank it.
Correct answer: The milk disappeared.
The milk tipped over.
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'?
Correct Answer: exploitation, exploit, exploitative, Exploitation, Exploit
Q4.
Complete the quotation from Orwell's 'Animal Farm': Napoleon walking on his hind legs was " upright".
Correct Answer: majestically, majestic , Majestically
Q5.
Complete the quotation from Orwell's 'Animal Farm': "from __________ the pigs had acquired the money to buy themselves another case of whisky."
Boxer's death
Correct answer: somewhere or other
their exploitative actions
their trade
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'?
Correct Answer: complicity, complicit, Complicit, Complicity