New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

How language creates social divisions in Orwell's 'Animal Farm'

I can explain how language creates social distinctions and divisions in 'Animal Farm'.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

How language creates social divisions in Orwell's 'Animal Farm'

I can explain how language creates social distinctions and divisions in 'Animal Farm'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The language we use determines our relationships and connections with others.
  2. As well as connections, language can be used to alienate and differentiate.
  3. Orwell arguably demonstrates how language can be used to create social distinctions.
  4. Furthermore, Orwell may be commenting on how language can control people through isolation and division.

Keywords

  • Divisive - tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people

  • Differentiate - to show or find the difference between things that are compared

  • Distinction - a difference or contrast between similar things or people

  • Alienate - to make someone feel that they are different and not part of a group

  • Dissent - strong disagreement or dissatisfaction with a decision or opinion

Common misconception

Language cannot alter how you see someone else.

Alienating and divisive language can be used to create the perception that someone is an outsider and separate from our social group.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: How language creates social divisions in Orwell's 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

As well as writing a topic sentence and concluding sentence, you could ask pupils to write out the single paragraph outline in Learning Cycle One as a full analytical paragraph if you think it would be beneficial for them.
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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6 Questions

Q1.
In Orwell's 'Animal Farm', the animals are meant to be united against __________.
Correct answer: mankind
the pigs
Old Major
Q2.
Which of the following is true of Orwell's 'Animal Farm'?
Correct answer: The animals rebel against Mr Jones.
The animals rebel against Old Major.
The animals rebel against Snowball.
Q3.
In Orwell's 'Animal Farm', who takes over the leadership of the farm after the rebellion?
Correct answer: the pigs
the dogs
Benjamin and Boxer
Q4.
To call someone a "comrade" means which of the following?
They are your enemy.
Correct answer: They are your friend.
They are in a position of power over you.
Q5.
To differentiate means which of the following?
to show or find the similarities between things that are compared
Correct answer: to show or find the difference between things that are compared
to show or find the dynamic between things that are compared
Q6.
'A difference or contrast between similar things or people' is the definition of which of the following?
dissent
Correct answer: distinction
disingenuous
dismantle

6 Questions

Q1.
In Orwell's 'Animal Farm', which word do the pigs use to describe those who disagree with them?
barbarians
troublemakers
Correct answer: traitors
visionaries
Q2.
Complete the quotation from Orwell's 'Animal Farm': “surely there is among you who wants to see Jones come back?”
Correct Answer: no one, noone, no-one
Q3.
Which of the following is the definition of 'divisive'?
tending to cause neutrality between people
tending to cause connection and peace between people
Correct answer: tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people
Q4.
'To make someone feel that they are different and not part of a group' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Correct Answer: alienate, Alienate
Q5.
Complete the quotation from Orwell's 'Animal Farm': “pigs liked to for [Napoleon] such titles as Father of All Animals".
Correct Answer: invent, Invent
Q6.
'Strong disagreement or dissatisfaction with a decision or opinion' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?
discover
disseminate
Correct answer: dissent