What’s Animal Farm About?
Looking for a synopsis? Listen to the podcast or hop over to the webisode!
Some themes to be discussed in the full-length podcast:
Corruption & Abuse of Power & Resources
Failure of Utopian Visions & Rebellions
Propaganda & Manipulation
List of character correlation to real life:
Old Major — Karl Marx/Lenin: Inspires rebellion with vision of equality
Napoleon — Joseph Stalin: Seizes power, becomes totalitarian leader
Snowball — Leon Trotsky: Early leader, expelled by Napoleon as rival
Squealer — Propaganda machine manipulating information to maintain control
Boxer — The Working Class/laborers: Hardworking, loyal, and betrayed
Mr. Jones— Tsarist Russia: Overthrown, symbol of oppression and the past
Want to know what we’re up to next for this podcast to read ahead?
Questions & Conversation Starters:
In no particular order (reference pages may vary by edition), let us know what you think in the comments section on any/all topics and questions!
Which character do you most identify with?
Do all good allegorical stories begin with an elder and a vision for the future?
What changed?
Why is it that authoritarian and supposed “communal” societies desire the leaders/state to educate the youth?
How did the anthem of Animal farm change over time?
The windmill, a promise of better times with less work for the workers. Does it ever get finished?
When things go poorly, who do you blame? Who’s your scapegoat?
Is there an event that signals a change from rebellion to abject authoritarianism?
The Gaslighting of Squealer comes and comes and comes. Always twisting the truth and history. Sound familiar?
The Security State arrives, and many Animals are executed. Who’s the good guys again?
Questions and ideas we didn’t get to:
We hit them all this month!
Standout Lines:
“Bravery is not enough, Loyalty and obedience are more important”
“Four Legs Good, Two Legs Bad”
“Napoleon is Always Right”
“Tactics, Comrades, tactics!”
“If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right.”
“Four Legs Good, Two Legs Better”
“All Animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”
Top Books We’re Thinking About Next:
Paradise Lost by John Milton (Craig will do webisode)
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey is a novel that falls under the genre of Supernatural Fiction. It's a story of a young girl with a special gift and the mysterious events that surround her.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig is a novel that falls under the genre of Philosophical Fiction. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of quality the meaning of life.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is a novel that falls under the genre of Adventure Fiction. It's a classic story about a boy who discovers a treasure map and sets out on a quest.
(added by listener request) What If the Constitution Was Never Ratified? By Chuck DeVore
TBD – Send us recommendations by commenting!
TBD – Send us recommendations by commenting!
TBD – Send us recommendations by commenting!
TBD – Send us recommendations by commenting!
Season 2 Book List:
September:How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps by Andrew Roweis a novel that falls under the genre of Fantasy. It's a humorous story about a group of adventurers who set out to defeat a demon king.October:Shadow of the Hegemon by OSCNovember: The Time Machine by H.G. WellsThe Time Machine by H.G. Wells is a classic novel that falls under the genre of Science Fiction. It's the story of a scientist who invents a time machine and travels to the future.
December:Emergence (by me! Craig T. Stewart)interview with a special guest!January:Anthem by Ayn RandFebruary:The Emperors Soul by Brandon SandersonMarch:Lost Horizon by James HiltonMay:Animal Farm by George Orwell(Linked Dual Book with 1984)August: TBD
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