History Odyssey - Modern Times (2) Sample lessons - Pandia Press

Pandia Press
• What political economic conditions make socialism
popular?
You will need to research socialism to complete the
worksheet. File the worksheet in your Documents,
Legislation, & Government section.
Suggested Web sites:
• encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761577990/Socialism.
html
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism
• www.marxists.org/glossary/terms/s/o.htm#socialism
q Add at least two more connections to your
Make the Connection worksheet. (Hint: Fascism
and Socialism to the Spanish Civil War)
q Examine Pablo Picasso’s Guernica depicting
the German bombing of that town during the
Spanish Civil war on KFH p. 409.
q Enter Pablo Picasso in your Literature,
Technology, & Art section and include a copy of
Guernica, if possible.
This Web site discusses this important war painting, showing
details and explaining their significance:
• http://homepage.mac.com/dmhart/Teaching/
Picasso2.html
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Lesson
Political Satire
GET READY For this lesson you will need:
• Animal Farm
• Worksheet: Essay
• Worksheet: Essay Rubric Checklist
• Encyclopedias/Dictionary
q Finish reading Animal Farm.
In an essay titled “Why I Write,” George Orwell
said, “Animal Farm was the first book in which I
tried, with full consciousness of what I was doing,
to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into
one whole.” In other words, Orwell wanted his
readers to get a political message from reading
Animal Farm. That makes Animal Farm a political
satire. But what is the message Orwell was trying to
convey? In the same essay, Orwell goes on to say,
“The Spanish [Civil] War and other events in 1936-
37 turned the scale . . . Every line of serious work
Part VI
that I have written since 1936 has been written,
directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for
democratic socialism . . . ”
q Look up political satire and totalitarianism.
Write definitions in your Summaries section.
Orwell became a frustrated solider, fighting
against General Franco in the Spanish Civil
War. He was also disillusioned with the Soviet
dictator, Stalin, during the Russian Revolution.
He saw both of these revolutions resulting
in regimes that were more tyrannical and
suppressive than the ones they overthrew.
In Animal Farm, a portrayal of the Russian
Revolution, Orwell depicts socialism turning to
oppressive totalitarianism (extreme fascism)
in the hands of a power-hungry dictator. This
“fairy tale” story presents a microcosm that
parallels real historical tyranny in places like
Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, and Russia after
World War I. Therefore, it is fitting that your
writing assignment for Animal Farm involves
deciphering its political message.
q In about five paragraphs, describe how Animal
Farm parallels political history. Specifically,
how does the story represent the cycle of
totalitarianism taking hold—a suppressed
group of citizens, a strong leader emerging
with promises of a better life, a revolution,
harsh times, abuse of power, propaganda,
and ultimate tyranny? In your essay, compare
specific examples from the story to specific
events in history. Also, describe how well
Animal Farm depicts socialism, communism,
fascism, and other political situations.
Begin your essay with a detailed topic sentence
that describes Animal Farm as a political satire.
Your topic sentence might read, “Animal Farm
by George Orwell offers an explanation of how
a tyrannical ruler rises to power and exploits
his fellow citizens.” Use quotes from the story
and paraphrase events in the story to support
your topic sentence. Describe the role certain
characters played in advancing tyranny. Do not
forget to provide a concluding paragraph. Use
the Essay Worksheet and Essay Rubric Checklist
to assist you in writing your essay. File your
essay in your Literature, Technology, & Art
section.
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