Abusing Power: Animal Farm and Wicked History

Lesson 16
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ELA

Unit 3

8th Grade

Lesson 16 of 32

Objective


Explain how the pigs have betrayed the original principles of Animal Farm, and how their betrayal and manipulation of the other animals creates dramatic irony.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Animal Farm by George Orwell  — Chapter 8

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Reread the top paragraph of page 11, where Old Major explains the principles that he believes the animals must adhere to if they wish to create a successful and just society. How have the pigs betrayed these principals? What are the consequences of their betrayal? Provide at least three examples from Chapter 8 to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • How does Orwell develop dramatic irony on page 91? What is the impact of this dramatic irony on the reader? Carefully explain your thinking. 

  • On page 71 of Stalin (A Wicked History), McCollum writes, "Stalin was building a 'cult of personality'— a heroic public image that encouraged people to idolize him without thinking critically about his policies" and describes posters printed with such phrases as "Stalin's life is out life, our beautiful present and future" and "Thank you, Comrade Stalin, for our happy childhood." Where in chapter 7 of Animal Farm does Orwell suggest that Napoleon also built a "cult of personality"? Provide specific evidence to support your ideas.

  • How does Orwell create dramatic irony on pages 108-109? What is the impact of this dramatic irony on the reader? Carefully explain your thinking. 

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Text-based

treacherous

adj.

(p. 96)

guilty of betraying or deceiving; disloyal

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Book: Animal Farm by George Orwell  — Chapter 9

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What are conditions like on the farm at this point in the text?

  • What do the animals believe will happen when they get older?

  • What happens to Boxer as he is working to rebuild the windmill?

  • What do the pigs tell the other animals that they are sending Boxer?

  • What do the animals see written on the side of the van that takes Boxer away? How do they respond?

  • What do the pigs buy at the end of this chapter?

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.8.3 — Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
  • RL.8.6 — Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RL.8.1
RL.8.2
RL.8.4
RL.8.10
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.1
W.8.1.a
W.8.1.b
W.8.4
W.8.9
W.8.9.a
W.8.10
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Lesson 17

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