Animal Farm and Fan dancers
I’ve had a day at home today, writing an essay (got a deadline on Friday and I’m way behind!) and doing some work preparation. I’ve re-read ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell as I’m teaching it to my students. I’ve been preparing a vocabulary list so that their first read of the book will be helped along by their knowledge of some key words. I’m also creating worksheets about the characters, plot and use of language. Luckily, I really like George Orwell, I say luckily because I have to teach it and it’s sometimes hard to get motivated to teach things you don’t like much. I thought I’d give you a brief insight into the plot of ‘Animal Farm’; it’s quite a unique story.
An old, prize –winning boar gathers all the animals at Manor Farm together for a meeting in which he tells them of a dream he had. The dream was that all the animals lived together without humans around to oppress or control them. Even though this boar dies, three other pigs formulate his ideas into a philosophy called ‘Animalism’, they then take over the farm by defeating the farmer in a fight and then try to work together to achieve the old boar’s dream.
At first the newly named ‘Animal Farm’ prospers and the animals are taught to read and educated about the principles of Animalism however as time goes on the three pigs start quarrelling and struggling against each other for more power. After one particular incident, one of the pigs is chased off the farm and another takes control. The new pig leader says that there will be no more democratic meetings and all the decision making will be down to the pigs.
The farm and the animals suffer some setbacks and problems, which makes the human farmers who live nearby happy and smug that the animals can’t cope. The leader pig, who is called Napoleon starts getting rid of any animal who says a word against him or his ideas, his vicious dogs kill the animals. Napoleon also begins to act like a human by sleeping in a bed, drinking whisky and doing trade with the neighbouring farmers (all of which were forbidden according to Animalism.)
The other farm animals are cold, hungry and overworked because the farm is not functioning properly due to the poor leadership. As the years roll on, the pigs become more and more like humans, even to the stage of using whips on the other animals and wearing clothes. The original seven principles of Animalism are reduced to just one which is “all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”. Finally Napoleon allies himself with the human farmers and the poor, farm animals find that they can no longer distinguish between pigs and human beings.
Orwell also wrote a book called ‘1984’ which is a favourite of mine, maybe some of you have read it or heard of it.But that’s enough about books, I need to return to my essay writing now and be a good student. My tutor will not be pleased if I don’t finish in time and Friday is only a few days away. You know, when I do my job as a teacher, it seems much easier and less stressful than being a student:-)
I know it's not related to the rest of my blog but I've attached a photo of Chinese ladies fan dancing. It's a very popular style of dancing for middle aged and elderly woman here. As you can see they wear bright costumes and dance with colourful fans while the men play instruments to accompany them. I love watching them dance and a few ladies practise every morning near the lake by my apartment. Teah and I watch them during our morning walk.
Vocabulary
motivated (adj) impelled, encouraged to do something
insight (n) understanding
boar (n) a male pig
oppress (v) to keep down people or things with severe and unjust use of force or authority
formulate (v) invent, devise
philosophy (n) a set of ideas or beliefs
prosper (v) be successful
principles (n) ideas or rules
democratic (adj) social equality
setbacks (n) unfortunate events that stop forward progress
smug (adj) self-satisfied
vicious (adj) evil and fierce
allies (v) to become friends with
distinguish (v) to recognise as different
Comments
Hi, Trudi! I don’t know what happened with my computer but my commentaries not appeared at all. I am reading your blog and there is enough information which is interesting to me. Thank you. I didn’t read “Animal Farm” but I have read “1984” a long time ago, in Russian. Sorry, I am not like Orwell very much because he is seemed very sophistical to me. However, it might depend from a translation. Although I don’t like books with a social underlying theme and Orwell, I think, is writing this sort of books. However, I remember that when I read Orwell at first time, I like him. I don’t like too much him NOW. To sum up, maybe I need reread his books in English?
Hi Trudi , What an interesting story is Animal farm . Thanks for sharing it with us . I must surf the Net for more info about it's writer . Good luck with your essay . What a pitty i couldn't se the picture of fan dancers ( there is an error ) .Have a nice time and solong
We've just received a message from Lewis, our teacher blogger in August and September 2006: "Just to let you know that my wife Tomono gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on Wednesday 27 February. We've named him 'Oscar' and he weighed in at 8lbs 7 pr 3.8kg (quite big for a Japanese baby - average is 3kg apparently). Mum and baby are both doing well and are currently being spoilt by their grandparents who have flown in from Japan for cuddles." Congratulations Lewis and Tomono!
Thank you Trudy for book's summary. I liked very much and I'd like to have also 1984's summary. Do you think you can do it for me? I'm sure that everybody would appreciate it! Thank you anyway. Bye, Marcella
Dear Trudi, This is Tiasha,I have showed up here after a month.It is a pity that I couldn't be able to write comments to your blogs. Congratulations Lewis and Tomono that you are belessed with a healthy baby boy. As I am a mathematics teacher for tenth, eleventh and twelth graders sometimes I face problem to motivate some teeneage students who don't like to learn some mathematical proofs. Trudi, I love the animal farm story. It is indeed a unique story. If I were an animal I would not like humans, because they are keep on destroying the nature for their own interest. In your every blog we can be able to see sense humor. It is a good gift to facinate people. I like the fan dancers. According your blog they are very dedicated elderly people practise every closer to appartment.This dance practise make them happy and healthy social life. I know chineese people are very active and hard working people.
Hi Carrie! What wonderful news! Congratulations Lewis and Tomono. Ana Paula.
Hi Trudi. I´ve read Animal Farm and I´ve found really thougth provoking. There are people who fight their whole life for a 'noble cause'and against the oppression. However, once they reach the power an inexplicable change happens on them. Suddenly, they are corrupted by the power and luxury. Nothing else matters. Therefore, the oppressed becomes the oppressor and the noble cause is totally forgotten. See you, Ana Paula.
Hi there , It 's me again . Congratulation Lewis and Tomono for arriving new bond of joy . I whis you and Oscar a happy life .Have fun and enjoy yourself . ( plus : Dear Carrie , very thanks for good news , In Iran when sb gives a good news like yours we are supposed to give her/him a gift and congratulation for your aw ard , i whish you the best and keep going )
Hi Trudi, I would like to hear to your lecture on that story as well.It's unfortunate i can't do that.Any way thanks for sharing the story with everyone. I had only read a part of it in school. And Thanks to Carrie for sharing the SWEET NEWS - My wishes to Lewis and Tomono as well. See you soon, Praveen Raj
Hi Trudi, you continue to inspire us, your blogs are not only educational, but also very interesting. And what is more, your writ seems to have a periodical theme; somehow the reader goes back in time feeling intensively the period or the incident that you describe. I so clearly remember the time of Animal Farm, and a very sad Tian’anmen Square mass destruction, both incidents somehow were the outcomes of that time. P.S. Well done Paul and Carrie and good to hear about Oscar!
Hello Carrie, Congratulations Lewis and Tomono! I remember there used to be one of the BBC LE team members, Vicki, whose birthday also falls on 27 February. Once again best wishes to the couple and the baby.
Hi there , I just wana to say my congratulation to Lewis and Tomono for the arrival of new bundle of joy , " Oscar " . I wish to all of your family the best . have a nice time with your over seas guest . And very thanks dear Carrie for good news .Solong
Hi,Trudi How is your essay getting on? I’ve been reading “Fahrenheit 451” and I really like it. I read “1984” by Owel in Korean version when I was about twenties and loved it. So I am thinking to re-read it again in English this time when I have finished “Fahrenheit 451”. Thank you for your recommendation of the books. I reckon you are always trying very hard to not put a foot wrong in your work and study. I really admire the way you deal with. Have a good day and I wish you the best of good luck in your essay!
Hi BBC team, Student community will never forget the Lewis sir contribution in their education. Felt good to have the news of Lewis sir became a father of baby boy. It is time to cheer for all of us. Kindly pass on my heartiest congratulations.
Hi Madam, Thanks for a beautiful and mind storming story and posting photo of China’s popular traditional lady dance. Here, lady / young girls, wearing bright costumes, dance called Gidha is famous traditional dance & exhibited on major family events like marriage etc. Men /boys dance, wearing bright costumes, called Bhangra. Now a days both men / young boys and women/young girls takes part in Bhangra jointly and exhibited mainly on social cultural functions.
Hello Trudi :-) One thing I don't understand about the book is its title 'Animal Farm'. Shouldn't the title be 'Animals' Farm', as they took possession of it? Maybe when titles of books and poetry are involved, grammar is the last thing you should care about. But the book itself is very interesting. Some years ago I read the book in its original version, but now, following your suggestion I'm going to read it once more. I think I should. As far as I remember the language was too difficult to me to understand everything. Maybe this time I'll be enjoying it much more. Thanks for reminding me about that book.
Hi Trudi: One more time I really have enjoyed with your entrie. I love reading and I love books, all kind of books. My mind is open to know different opinions about a novel. Certainly, I haven't read Animal Farm. Here is my promise: I'm going to read it this year. Now I'm reading The Sky's Ashes (Las Cenizas del Cielo in Spanish, my language) by Alma Alexander. I have just begun to read it last Sunday. I can only tell all of you that it's a story about a woman from China. Congratulations for Lewis and Tomono. To have a baby is the best in life (I think so). Bye bye Mercè
Hi Trudi, People in some places are dancing while they do Physical exercise in the morning time. I heard this practice is more popular in foreign countries like China, Japan and Singapore etc. Each country has its own unique dances. It reflects the mind and culture of the people. In India, we have different kinds of dances. Bhratha natiyam is one among the best. Girls are trained to perform this dance from their childhood onwards. I like watching this dance. Traditional dances slowly faded away by other forms of dances because of the influence of the television. Animal farm story is really interesting. Like human being, animals also thirst for power if they follow some principal and values in their life. If you don’t follow anything you can roam around like animal.
Hello Trudi! It is the first time I leave a comment about your blog. I appreciate very much your entries in this blog particularly this one. Thank you for referring to the book Animal Farm by George Orwell. I think this book is a serious critic of the political systems, particularly of democracy. I have been in contact with this book some years ago and at that time I have liked it very much. It shows clearly through the animals the actual behaviour of the politicians of these days. They are very concerned with the people (the voters) and their needs but only before their election. When they are in power they do the opposite of what they have promised. I know I am not the student blogger and for that reason maybe you do not answer some questions I would like to ask you. Some time ago an English teacher of mine has used the same book in the English classes. Why is this book used in classes? Is it due to the story which is an interesting and motivating one? Or is its interest due to the type of English language used? Do you recommend this book for an English learner? If yes, why? I would appreciate very much if you could explain a bit more why English teachers used it so often.
Dear Trudi, Your blog reminded me a story I have heard when I was a school boy. Story goes as follows: One student came from his village to study campus level in a city. Every week, he used to write a letter to his parents saying that he was teaching in a campus. When he did his master degree, he started to write I am reading everyday. His parents amused when they read that letter. Then they asked him why he had written that he had been reading himself when he completed his master degree. He replied that he had to study a lot to answer questions raised by students in proper way. When he was student, he could raise questions and did not care whether teachers were replying then properly or not. Now, it’s his turned to answer his students and make them satisfied. So, as a teacher, you have to study a lot to answer our queries about language points. We are doing distant learning, you can hold off topic for few days but in my opinion these questions always make you think how to answer them properly.
Hello again, Trudi! (The previous message was sent without my name because I forgot to put it). I think, Antonio from Portugal have asked a really interesting question: why the book “Animal Farm” is used in classes? Really – why? I would like to know in which classes it is in using? I am learning English in my First Certificate of English class in Dublin but the books which we have to read (if we want to) are too boring! There are classical books which all Russian have read as teenagers. “Animal Farm” in English sounds much more interesting for me but it isn’t in the list. Have I change the program (to learn IELTS instead of FCE) in order I can read (and writing about) books which are really interesting to me? I don’t like Orwell too much but reading him is more interesting than Emily Bronte…
Hi everybody, As Antonio and Tanya I would like to know why this book is usually used in English lessons (this one o the other from the same writer: 1984). Trudi: Although we aren't the blogger, could you answer our question? I think it would be very interesting for all the learners. Thank you in advance! Everybody: Have a nice day!!!! Mercè
Hi Trudi, I thought I would cheer you up a little :) Even though everyone knows that we women are the strong sex and we are capable of doing a few things at a time it must be a bit tricky to juggle your baby(ies), study, work and blog! I am catching up with your blogs at the moment as I spent the past 10 days with Alex so wasn't able to read your blogs or post any comments. Imagine my surprise when I read your last blog and learnt that pigs are rather authoritative animals! Hope you handed your essay in on time! Have a good weekend. Nastya
Hello Trudi! I must admit that I appreciate your teaching skills your sence of humour, but I am very surprised at your student blogger Yanko: he has not responded to any of your comments! May be the best way of teaching him is to leave your comments in his blog!
Hi Trudi, nice to meet you. I don't know english very well, but I want so much to learn and I read everyday your advices to Yanko and I am very happy in can learn with you. thank you very much. A big hug!!
Hi Trudi, hi everybody: Trudi: I'm looking forward to reading your next entry. Anastasia: you have lots and lots of reason saying that women are capable or doing many things at the same time. What about your next wedding? Trudi, could you tell us if Easter holiday is celebrated in China? And how is Easter for English people? Thank you very much Bye bye. Mercè
Your article is funny. I like it . And because I'm from China,so the fun dancer attracted my eyes.It's called "Yang Ge" in china.
Hello Trudi!Nice to meet you.In Japan,Animal farm is recommended for improving English-ability by famous Japanese professor but I have not read it.Your introdusing story of Animal farm make me interested in it very much.I try to read Animal farm.If you have other English-books to recommend,inform us these books.Have a nice day!
hi, i appricate ur teaching skills.i don,t know english very well but i enjoy ur story and a big samile for u
hi, i appricate ur teaching skills.i don,t know english very well but i enjoy ur story and a big samile for u
Hi Trudi.I teach at a government school where the learners are in their final year before vasity or college.We are going to the polls next week to vote. Quite apt that i started this novel yesterday. Besides making the Russian Revolution connection they are also applying it to our many political party leaders.I thoroughly enjoy it as well. Go well.
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