Page 79 - DENG203_ELECTIVE_ENGLISH_IV

Elective English—IV

Notes England’s class system. On a partial scholarship, George Orwell realised that the school
treated the richer students better than the poorer ones. In this school Orwell was
distinguished among the other boys by his poverty.
George Orwell won scholarships to England’s two top schools, Eton and Winchester, and
chose the former. He stayed in Eton from 1917 to 1921. Aldous Huxley was one of his
masters. It was at Eton that Orwell published his first work in college periodicals.
The story takes place on a farm in England and is told by an all-knowing narrator in the
third person. The novel begins when prize-winning boar, Old Major collects all animals of
the Manor Farm for a meeting which was organised in the big barn. He narrates his dream
and says that in his dream all animals stay together without being controlled or oppressed
by any human beings.

The novel Animal Farm is a satire of the Russian revolution and is thus filled with
symbolism. Normally, Orwell links some real characters with the characters of the book.

4.5 Keywords

Bronchitis: It is inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes. It typically
causes bronchospasm and coughing.
Commandment: It can be defined as a rule which must be obeyed by one and all alike.
Narrator: A narrator is somebody who narrates something, especially a character who recounts
the events of a novel or narrative poem.
Propaganda: A message designed to persuade its intended audience to think and behave in a
certain manner can be defined as a propaganda.
Oppressive: It can be defined as the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or
unjust manner. It can also be defined as an act or instance of oppressing, the state of being
oppressed, and the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles,
adverse conditions or people, and anxiety.
Rebellion: It can be defined as a refusal of obedience or order. It may also be seen as encompassing
a range of behaviours aimed at destroying or taking over the position of an established authority
such as a government.
Satire: It is the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's
stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities is called symbolism.
Answers: Self Assessment

1. (a) 2. (a)
3. (a) 4. (b)
5. (b) 6. (b)

4.6 Review Questions

1. Why does Old Major gather all the animals together?

2. Throw light on George Orwell’s major works.

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