Summer Reading Test Study Guide

What is an allegory?

A narrative that can be read on more than one level. Characters represent people, qualities, virtues in real life. Satirical

How do the pigs use rhetoric to persuade? How does Old Major persuade?

The pigs use charged words to persuade. Old major uses ethos and credibility.

Old major

The prize-winning boar whose vision of a socialist utopia serves as the inspiration for the Rebellion. Three days after describing the vision and teaching the animals the song "Beasts of England," Major dies, leaving Snowball and Napoleon to struggle for control of his legacy. Orwell based Major on both the German political economist Karl Marx (marxism)

What events build up to the climax? How do the conflicts change?

The rebellion, the battle of cowshed, Napoleon and snowball fighting about the windmill lead to the climax.

Eva

A Romanian woman that Charlie Schwartz remarried after the death of his wife. She sang to Morrie and David and gave them the love that was missing in most of their childhood. She tried her best to provide food and necessities for the family, but most of the time not coming up with much. Mentioned in the chapter "The Professor".

Morrie Schwartz

A former sociology professor at Brandeis University and a student favorite. Morrie is a very sweet, down to earth old man with a passion for dancing. He loves to share his knowledge with people, and was certainly "a teacher to the last". He was friendly and accepting towards everyone, and loved by many. Diagnosed with ALS, Taught Mitch HOW TO LIVE!!

Clover

A good-hearted female cart-horse and Boxer's close friend. Clover often suspects the pigs of violating one or another of the Seven Commandments, but she repeatedly blames herself for misremembering the commandments.

How do the pigs manipulate the other animals? How does propaganda help?

Because the animals are stupid they do anything the pigs tell them, the pigs change the commandments. Propaganda is used when squealer says that Jones or Snowball will return if they don't do what they want them to do.

Mitch Albom

One of Morrie's former sociology students. He is the author and one of the two main characters in the book. He visits Morrie every Tuesday to talk about the meaning of life and other such topics, hence the book's name, Tuesdays with Morrie. He was a busy, business obsessed man until he was reunited with Morrie, who opened his eyes to the real important aspects of life.

Benjamin

The long-lived donkey who refuses to feel inspired by the Rebellion. Benjamin firmly believes that life will remain unpleasant no matter who is in charge. Of all of the animals on the farm, he alone comprehends the changes that take place, but he seems either unwilling or unable to oppose the pigs.

What do the marlin, the shovel-nosed sharks, the mast, the lions, the 40 days, and joe dimaggio?

The marlin symbolizes the struggle of life because Santiago calls it his brother, he is a worthy opponent. The sharks represented the people of jerusalem who wanted jesus to be crucified they viciously attacked the fish. The mast represents Jesus' cross. The lions represent his lost youth and pride from Africa. When he catches the marlin he rejuvenates his pride and dreams of the lions. The 40 days were the 40 days when Santiago was alone and didn't catch any fish like lent when jesus spent 40 days in the desert suffering alone. Joe dimaggio was a Man because he played while in pain. He was a hero and was manhood.

What is the setting?

The novel takes place during 1995, in Morrie's study, in West Newton, Massachusetts. Mitch and Morrie meet every Tuesday, in his study, to discuss the meaning of life.

Mr. Jones

The often drunk farmer who runs the Manor Farm before the animals stage their Rebellion and establish Animal Farm. Mr. Jones is an unkind master who indulges himself while his animals lack food; he thus represents Tsar Nicholas II, whom the Russian Revolution ousted.

Napoleon

The pig who emerges as the leader of Animal Farm after the Rebellion. Based on Joseph Stalin, Napoleon uses military force (his nine loyal attack dogs) to intimidate the other animals and consolidate his power. In his supreme craftiness, Napoleon proves more treacherous than his counterpart, Snowball.

Squealer

The pig who spreads Napoleon's propaganda among the other animals. Squealer justifies the pigs' monopolization of resources and spreads false statistics pointing to the farm's success. Orwell uses Squealer to explore the ways in which those in power often use rhetoric and language to twist the truth and gain and maintain social and political control.

How do the pigs create totalitarianism?

The pigs make all the decisions. Napoleon made a special council just for pigs that made the decisions.

Moses

The tame raven who spreads stories of Sugarcandy Mountain, the paradise to which animals supposedly go when they die. Moses plays only a small role in Animal Farm, but Orwell uses him to explore how communism exploits religion as something with which to pacify the oppressed.

Fredericks

The tough, shrewd operator of Pinchfield, a neighboring farm. Based on Adolf Hitler, the ruler of Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s, Mr. Frederick proves an untrustworthy neighbor.

Mollie

The vain, flighty mare who pulls Mr. Jones's carriage. Mollie craves the attention of human beings and loves being groomed and pampered. She has a difficult time with her new life on Animal Farm, as she misses wearing ribbons in her mane and eating sugar cubes. Represents the aristocats

What disease was Morrie Diagnosed with?

ALS, A nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function.

What is the attitude (tone) of the author? What shows this?

Admiration-Mitch shows this towards Morrie. Envy-Mitch shows this to his brother peter.

What are the setting, situation, and conflict in the exposition in Animal Farm?

An imaginary farm in England the conflict is between jones and the animals.

How is Animal Farm an allegory?

Animal Farm's characters represent real people in the Russian Revolution. Animal Farm is Satirical.

What is the mood? How does it change?

Mostly serious with some sadness and some laughter. As Morrie's disease gets more serious the mood gets more serious.

What are the eight techniques of propaganda? How do the pigs use them to get what they want?

Name calling- The pigs use negatively charged words for snowball, Glittering Generalities- Positively charged words made Napoleon seem better, Euphemisms- the pigs said they were readjusting their rations not reducing, Transfer - The pigs say they don't like the milk and apples but eat it to keep them healthy, Testimonial- The pigs act like they know best, Plain folk- The pigs say they are all comrades and they are just like them, Bandwagon- The pigs manipulate the animals, Fear- Squealer threatens the animals by telling them that the farm would fail if the pigs didnt eat the apples

Symbolism of characters

Napoleon = Joseph Stalin, Snowball = Leon trotsky, Boxer and Clover = the working class, Squealer = newspaper that spread propaganda, Mollie = aristocracy that resisted change, the sheep = general public stupid easily controlled, Mr. Jones = Czar Nicholas II, Pilkington = germany new industry, Fredericks = Great britain old, Old Major = Karl Marx Marxism, Moses = Russian Orthodox Church, The dogs = KGB or secret police

The Dogs

Napoleon takes them as pups and trains them to be vicious beasts. Run snowball out of the farm. Represent the kgb in russia.

Compare Napoleon and Snowball

Napoleon was more treacherous than snowball. Snowball was less devious than Napoleon. Snowball won the loyalty of the animals but with the help of the dogs Napoleon chased out snowball.

How do the names of the animals reflect their personalities?

Napoleon- French dictator very oppressive, Snowball- leon Trotsky had snow white hair, Squealer- was a mouthpiece of Napoleon, Moses- Spread the word of God and hevean.

What was the significance of Nightline?

Nightline, hosted by Ted Koppel, got mitch to find out about Morrie and his disease in the first place. There were three Nightline interviews of Morrie overall.

What is an Autobiography?

Non-Fiction piece written by the subject of the work or at least drafted with a collaborative writer. Made up of info of the subject's life. Focused on facts- fact above all, its fundation.

What is a biography?

Non-Fictional work. An account of a person's life written by someone else.

What is the point of view of the story?

1st person

What life lesson does Mich learn?

Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live. Receive and give love.

Charlotte Schwartz

Charlotte Schwartz was Morrie's wife. She was very loving, kind, and stuck with Morrie until the bitter end.

What are the internal and external conflicts?

External conflicts- Person vs person (Mitch vs peter) Person vs society (Mitch and culture of greed) Person Vs fate (Morrie vs ALS) Internal conflicts- Person vs self (Mitch accepting and giving love) (Morrie has to accept fate)

what is the significance of symbols such as food, Tuesdays, and the bird.

Food symbolizes a tradition that mitch wants to hold onto. Tuesdays were the day when Morrie would meet with Mitch back in college. The bird represents your conscience.

What is a memoir?

Form of autobiography, less formal and less comprehensive. More about emotional truth toward a particular section of one's life and how it makes you feel now. Less about factual events, written by the subject.

How does orwell use rhetoric to persuade the audience?

He uses logos and pathos.

Who is the protagonist?

Morrie Schwartz

How is santiago Christ-like?

Santiago is very kind to Manolin. Santiago's pain and suffering for 3 days when trying to catch the fish like jesus struggle when being crucified. On 4th day he came back home like jesus resurrected on easter.

What was the relationship between Morrie and his brother,father,mother,mitch,step-mother.

Morrie and his brother were good brothers. Morrie and his dad were distant and not very close. Morrie loved his first mom. Morrie taught mich how to live. Morrie's step mother loved and took care of Morrie and david, his brother.

What is the view of Morrie on spirituality, money, jobs etc.

Morrie thought that that stuff didn't matter in life. He thought that loving was more important.

What is the significance and irony of the living funeral and the graduation?

It was ironic because it wasn't actually his real funeral, the graduation was his real one.

The Russian Revolution 1n 1917 and the Bolshevik revolution

Lack of confidence in Czar Nicholas II and food supplies were low, unemployment was high, and inflation was out of controll led to peasants and workers rising up in the 1917 revolution. Czar Nicholas II abdicated the throne and a provisional government was set up full of liberals, moderates, and conservatives. The provisional Government started alienating workers so the Bolsheviks organized workers, peasants, and soldiers and won a majority of seats in the september election in 1917. In October Bolshevik soldiers stormed the winter palace and arrested members of the provisional government in a bloodless coup.

What is the significance of the poem read at Morrie's funeral.

Morrie was different than everybody else and he always brought love and new life to anyone he met.

Connie

Morrie's helper who lived with them until Morrie died. Said to be a very sweet lady who came to truly care for Morrie, as did many others.

What are the four themes of Animal Farm?

Leadership and corruption, Rules and order, lies and deceit, and control over the intellectually inferior.

What is the theme?

Love and compassion. Morrie teaches Mitch how to love.

Manolin (The boy)

Manolin is Santiago's apprentice and devoted attendant. The old man first took him out on a boat when he was merely five years old. Due to Santiago's recent bad luck, Manolin's parents have forced the boy to go out on a different fishing boat. Manolin, however, still cares deeply for the old man, to whom he continues to look as a mentor.

What is Marxism? What is Capitalism? How are they represented?

Marxism is good and what old major told to the animals, socialist. Capitalism was bad and corruption, this is what the pigs did.

What was the relationship between mitch and his wife, his brother, and Morrie.

Mitch never gave his wife a family.Mitch and his brother were distant in the beginning because Peter had cut himself off and lived in spain. Mitch loved Morrie and cared for him.

Peter Albom

Mitch's brother that moved to Spain to get special treatment after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Lost touch with Mitch and most of his family despite many communication attempts. Eventually gets back to Mitch, as said in the "Conclusion".

Janine Albom

Mitch's wife who is said to be "blessed with far more intuitive kindness than [Mitch]". She is mentioned in the chapter "The Tenth Tuesday- We Talk About Marriage". When she visits Morrie, she sings and brings him to tears.

David Schwartz

Morrie's younger brother. He developed polio at a very young age, shortly after their Mother died.

What are the three Rhetorical appeals?

Pathos- Charged words Emotional appeal, Logos- Facts and evidence reason, Ethos- Credibility to persuade reader.

Identify the 5 themes and how they are developed.

Resistance to Defeat- Struggle to survive, Can't escape death, Santiago doesn't give up on the fish ever. Pride- Santiago's pride pushes himself to survive the 4 days, He wants to be the best man and fisherman to set an example for Manolin. Youth and Age- Santiago has knowledge and Manolin has strength, Santiago is a role model for Manolin. Man and nature- Santiago thinks the fish are equal to him. Santiago vs the struggle of catching the fish and then the sharks. Friendship- the friendship between Manolin and Santiago, Manolin gives physical support and Santiago gives knowledge.

What are rhetorical devices?

Restatement- Same idea different words, Repetition- Same idea Same Words, Rhetorical question- answer already known, Parallelism- Repeated use of words, clauses, or phrases with similar grammatical structures or meanings.

Santiago (the old man)

Santiago is a Cuban fisherman who has had an extended run of bad luck. Despite his expertise, he has been unable to catch a fish for eighty-four days. He is humble, yet exhibits a justified pride in his abilities.

Ted Koppel

The famous television host for ABC's popular show "Nightline". He comes with his team to interview Morrie three times, and is a dear friend of Morrie's and his loved ones by the last. Brought Morrie's disease to Mitch.

The Sheep

Stupidest of the animals. Would do whatever they were told. REpresents the people.

Boxer

The cart-horse whose incredible strength, dedication, and loyalty play a key role in the early prosperity of Animal Farm and the later completion of the windmill. Quick to help but rather slow-witted, Boxer shows much devotion to Animal Farm's ideals but little ability to think about them independently. He naïvely trusts the pigs to make all his decisions for him. His two mottoes are "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right."

What are the climax, the falling action, and the resolution?

The climax is when Napoleon uses the dogs to chase off Snowball, the falling action is Squealer emerges to justify Napoleon's actions with skillful but duplicitous reinterpretations of Animalist principles; Napoleon continues to consolidate his power, eliminating his enemies and reinforcing his status as supreme leader; the common animals continue to obey the pigs, hoping for a better future. The resolution is the pigs turning into humans by breaking the commandments.

What is the climax of the novel?

The climax is when Santiago finally catches the marlin.

pilkington

The easygoing gentleman farmer who runs Foxwood, a neighboring farm. Mr. Frederick's bitter enemy, Mr. Pilkington represents the capitalist governments of England and the United States.

What was the power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky?

Vladimir Lenin led the bolsheviks during the revolution, When he died his colleges ,Joseph Stalin and leon Trotsky, struggled for power. Leon Trotsky was hero of early revolution. Joseph Stalin the hero of the communist party won the struggle and exiled Trotsky.

What is a summary of Hemingway's life.

Wanted to always be a man. Had to be manly. His injuries prohibited him from doing manly things in his old age so he killed himself. Suffered from depression. Faught in wars. Divorced and married multiple women.

Snowball

the pig who challenges Napoleon for control of Animal Farm after the Rebellion. Based on Leon Trotsky, Snowball is intelligent, passionate, eloquent, and less subtle and devious than his counterpart, Napoleon. Snowball seems to win the loyalty of the other animals and cement his power. Chased off the farm by the dogs.

What is Rhetoric?

what the orator uses and devices and appeals that achieve intellectual and emotional effects on the audience to persuade them.