Exploring the different methods of control and leadership in 'Animal Farm'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the different methods of control in 'Animal Farm' and how the pigs use these to gain power.
Key learning points
- A cult of personality is the result of a carefully constructed persona, spread through propaganda and other means
- Napoleon reflects Stalin’s use of propaganda and methods of control
- Orwell explores how leaders gain power through created personas, language and education
- Orwell emphasises the dangers of an uneducated working class in the maintaining of power and hierarchy
Keywords
Persona - A persona is the part of your character or personality that is presented to other people.
Ideology - Ideology is a system of ideas or values that underpin a theory or idea.
Cult of personality - A cult of personality is where a public figure (such as a political leader) is presented as a great person who should be admired and loved.
Reverence - To show reverence is to demonstrate a deep respect for something or someone.
Common misconception
That everyone in power sees education as a way to better society.
How does it feel when you don't understand something? Confusing? Scary? Disorientating? How could the pigs use this to their advantage?
Teacher tip
Gather some images of propaganda posters, particularly ones featuring Stalin. Deconstruct these and how they create a particular persona.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'Animal Farm', what is the primary method Napoleon uses to maintain control on the farm?
Q2.In 'Animal Farm', which pig is known for being persuasive and manipulative, serving as Napoleon's spokesperson?
Q3.In 'Animal Farm', who is driven out by Napoleon in a power struggle, despite being intelligent and having good intentions?
Q4.Complete this commandment from 'Animal Farm': "No animal shall kill any other animal__________"
Q5.Starting with the first, put these events from 'Animal Farm' in chronological order.
Q6.In 'Animal Farm' Old Major says, "Our lives are miserable, laborious and short". This is an example of which rhetorical device?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How do both Stalin and Napoleon from 'Animal Farm' create a cult of personality?
Q2.In 'Animal Farm' what persona does Napoleon create through propaganda?
Q3.In 'Animal Farm', which characters show the dangers of a lack of education and the connection to blind loyalty?
Q4.Which character in 'Animal Farm' is described as "winning over the majority with his brilliant speeches"?
Q5.In chapter 10 of 'Animal Farm' the pigs reduce the commandments to one. Complete the commandment: "All animals are equal but some animals__________"
Q6.What did Stalin compare education to?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Exploring the different methods of control and leadership in 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Exploring the different methods of control and leadership 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: the pigs and power unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.