The consequences of complicit and apathetic language in Orwell's 'Animal Farm'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Orwell presents apathy and complicity in ‘Animal Farm’.
Key learning points
- Arguably, Benjamin's language conveys apathy throughout 'Animal Farm'.
- We might see Orwell as suggesting that Benjamin's apathy is a form of complicity.
- Potentially, we might see the animals’ complicity as allowing the pigs’ oppression.
- On the other hand, we might consider the pigs’ language as conditioning the animals to be complicit.
Keywords
Complicit - involved in or knowing about a crime or some activity that is wrong
Apathetic - showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern
Inherent - belonging to the basic nature of someone or something
Oppression - prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority
Conditioned - to influence a person so that they do or expect a particular thing without thinking about it
Common misconception
The only interpretation of Orwell's 'Animal Farm' is that the pigs' desire for power leads to the animals' oppression.
We might also interpret the animals as being complicit in allowing their oppression to happen.
Teacher tip
You could broaden the discussions by bringing in real world examples and considering how apathy and complicity arguably play a part in creating oppressive regimes.
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.In Orwell's 'Animal Farm', which of the following is true of the pigs' alterations to the seven commandments?
Q2.In Orwell's 'Animal Farm', how do the majority of the animals react to the pigs' increasingly oppressive actions?
Q3.'Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority' is the definition of which word beginning with 'o'?
Q4.'A belief or opinion, often held by many people and based on how things seem' is the definition of which of the following?
Q5.Which of the following is true of Benjamin in Orwell's 'Animal Farm'?
Q6.What is a paradox?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Q2.'Belonging to the basic nature of someone or something' is the definition of which of the following?
Q3.Complete the quotation about Benjamin from Orwell's 'Animal Farm': “[Benjamin] seldom talked, and when he did, it was usually to make some remark”
Q4.'To influence a person so that they do or expect a particular thing without thinking about it' is the definition of which of the following?
Q5.'Involved in or knowing about a crime or some activity that is wrong' is the definition of which of the following?
Q6.Complete the quotation from Orwell's 'Animal Farm': “their lives now, [the animals] , were hungry and laborious”
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: The consequences of complicit and apathetic language in Orwell's 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: The consequences of complicit and apathetic language in Orwell's '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.