Prompt 01
Essay task
AP LiteratureAP LanguageAQAIB Language & LiteratureCommon Core Ela
In Animal Farm, George Orwell crafts an allegorical fable to argue that the corruption of power is not just an accident caused by poor leadership, but a predictable outcome of unchecked authority. In a well-structured essay, discuss how Orwell portrays the gradual change of the pigs — especially Napoleon — to show that revolutionary ideals are systematically undermined when power is concentrated in the hands of a few. Support your argument with specific textual evidence, including the revision of the Seven Commandments, the manipulation of Squealer's propaganda, and the final scene in the farmhouse.
Guiding Questions to Consider
- How does Orwell present the original principles of Animalism, and when do those principles start to decline?
- What part does language and propaganda play in the pigs' takeover of power?
- How does the conclusion of the novel reinforce or complicate Orwell's main argument about power and corruption?
Requirements
- Formulate a clear, defensible thesis that makes a specific claim about Orwell's argument.
- Incorporate at least three pieces of textual evidence along with analysis.
- Discuss the allegorical significance of the story in relation to real-world political systems.
- Suggested length: 4–6 paragraphs.