Old Major's Speech Flashcards
“our lives are miserable, laborious and short”
Harsh, short adjectives
“our lives are miserable, …
laborious and short”
“we”, “comrades”, “this life of ours”
Uses inclusive pronouns: Is an empathetic leader
“the root cause of hunger and overwork”
Says of man- hatred for man
“our labour tills the soil”
Key idea that working class are the real power of an economy that keep everything going.
“the root cause …
of hunger and overwork”
“in fighting against man, we must not come to resemble him”
Warns against tendencies for despotic and exploitative leaders emerging within the animals- Orwell is FORESHADOWING that this will occur
“our labour …
tills the soil”
“cows”, “milk”, “hens”, “eggs”, “Clover”, “foals”
Appeals to each individual animals exploitation
“in fighting against …
man, we must not come to resemble him”
Speaks in stark absolute terms, stating their sufferings in a factual manner.
Enhances his persuasive argument in order to inspire the animals to rebell
“duty of enmity”
Old Major convinces the animals that it is their “duty” to hate “Man”(“the root cause of hunger and overwork”)- His teachings (SOCIALISM)aimed to teach the animals(LOWER CLASSES) that they should never be oppressed by anyone- man or pig.
“duty…
of enmity”
“whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy”
Major is emphasising the hate the animals should have for man. The use of the pronoun ‘‘WHATEVER” dehumanises man.
EFFECTIVENESS OF HIS SPEECH
“whatever goes…
upon two legs is an enemy”
Purpose…
-Portrays socialist opinions- REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TEACHINGS OF KARL MARX
-Persuasive address to inspire the animals to rebel
