Satire in Animal Farm (Chapters 3 and 4)

Satire is a literary technique in which the writer uses humor to point out the foolishness or stupidity of his or her subject. At times, writers use satire to make fun of something just to entertain their readers. In this case, the author's tone is humorous or witty. Other times, writers use satire to push for change or to point out the corruption of a person, government, or event. In this case, the author's tone can be angry, serious, and biting. Such is the case with Animal Farm.

Typically, the author's intention is to ridicule, or make fun of, the subject in order to effect change. George Orwell uses several different kinds of satire in Animal Farm. In this interactivity, click on each of the bars in the accordion to learn more about each of these different types. Click the player button to begin.

View a printable version of the interactivity.

 

Chapter 3

Before you read Chapter 3 of Animal Farm, review some unfamiliar vocabulary. In this interactivity, click on each of the tabs to view a term, its definition, its part of speech, and a sentence that uses the term. Click the player button to begin.

View a printable version of the interactivity.

Chapter 3 Analysis

In this chapter, the animals are learning how to manage the farm on their own. Life seems to be much better, and the animals are getting along. Have you noticed which animals have emerged as leaders? The pigs have started to supervise what is happening on the farm and they are telling the other animals what to do. Though the pigs can read and write, the other animals cannot. So that they can understand the rules, the pigs reduce the seven commandments down to one simple phrase: "Four legs good; two legs bad." Even though the pigs are keeping the milk and apples for themselves, they convince the other animals that they need them to protect the farm.

Chapter 4

Before you read Chapter 4 of Animal Farm, review some unfamiliar vocabulary. In this interactivity, click on each of the tabs to view a term, its definition, its part of speech, and a sentence that uses the term. Click the player button to begin.

View a printable version of the interactivity.

Chapter 4 Analysis

In this chapter, Mr. Jones complains about his fate to the other farmers. What did the other farmers think of Animal Farm at first? As time goes on, however, they begin to see it as a threat, especially when their own animals begin to sing "Beasts of England." When the humans attack, the animals win, even though the men have guns, and the animals do not. Not all of the animals were mentioned in the battle. Where were Napoleon and Squealer? Why do you think Orwell is showing that some characters work hard in the battle, and others do not?

 

Satire in Animal Farm Review

Now that you have read the Chapters 3 an 4 of Animal Farm by George Orwell and learned about how the author uses satire in the novel, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Match each of the different types of satire with the correct definitions. Then click SUBMIT to check your responses. Click the player button to get started.