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The Goal: Write a research paper analyzing symbolism in the Animal Farm, with research and citations. Words: 2000
Short, I know. Simple, I know. But the research bit is bugging the crud out of me. I could do the whole thing, well even, without citing a single source. But now I have to research and find text or internet information explaining how Napoleon compares to Stalin. It is this that worries me.
This thread is to keep me awake, along with ClubFM.com streaming radio and a giant cup of Chai.
Posts: 515 | Registered: Mar 2004
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My problem is that I only need a few quotations per paragraph, and I cannot justify slogging through a tome of russian history for a half dozen quotes. I have a few lined up, though. This is my outline (without supporting quotes yet):
1. Introduction 1.1. Opening quote 1.2. Background on Orwell 1.3. Plot summary 1.4. Thesis 2. Paragraphs 2.1. Compare Characters to People 2.1.1. Stalin – Napoleon 2.1.1.1. Authoritarian 2.1.1.2. Oppressive 2.1.1.3. Trained Dogs – guards 2.1.1.4. Gluttony 2.1.2. Trotsky – Snowball 2.1.2.1. Visionary 2.1.2.2. Original member of revolution 2.1.2.3. Chased out by Stalin / Napoleon 2.1.2.4. Blamed for mishaps on farm 2.1.3. Old Major – Lenin / Marx 2.1.3.1. Founder of ideology 2.1.3.1.1. Gave speeches to the common 2.1.3.2. Bones displayed 2.1.3.3. Did not see events come to fruition 2.1.4. Mr. Frederick – Hitler 2.1.4.1. Abusive to animals 2.1.4.2. Originally enemy, and then allied, then enemy 2.2. Characters to ideas 2.2.1. Moses – clergy, Heaven 2.2.1.1. Tells of Sugar Candy Mountain 2.2.1.2. Does no work 2.2.1.3. Originally expelled 2.2.1.3.1. Later permitted to return 2.3. Ideas to ideas 2.3.1. Animalism – Communism 2.3.1.1. Working men of all men unite 2.3.1.1.1. “Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend” 2.3.1.2. From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs 2.3.1.2.1. Original time on farm 2.3.2. “Beasts of England” 2.3.2.1. Animalism ideology 2.3.2.2. Spread across countryside by birds 2.3.2.3. Cummunist Internetionale 2.4. Events 2.4.1. Hen’s revolt 2.4.1.1. Ukranian farmers resisted collectivism 2.4.1.1.1. Farmers killed own livestock 2.4.1.2. Hens resisted giving up eggs 2.4.1.2.1. Hens smashed own eggs 2.4.1.3. Both were starved out 2.5. Conclusion 2.5.1. Obvious satire of failures of communism 2.5.1.1. The interim dictatorship would not step down 2.5.2. Eventually decayed 2.5.3. Most translated novel in the world 2.5.3.1. Effective warning.
Posts: 515 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
I could very well be up all night finishing homework for tomorrow.
And no, this isn't a case of procrastination. I got two big assignments less than a week ago, and they're both due tomorrow. As are a scattering of small assignments.
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You know, this thread, and Icarus' question, reminds me of what a godsend the internet is and how ridiculously easy it has made it to get information.
Posts: 13123 | Registered: Feb 2002
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Hmp. I still find the majority of the Internet useless for peer-reviewed scholastic research. It's useful as a fact-checker, but I still find myself heading to the local university library when I need to get a paper done.
However, I can connect to my university's Lexis/Nexis-type search engines from home. Full text peer-reviewed articles on my screen at home. That's handy.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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I tried Google Scholar a few times, but it had a habit of turning up only article abstracts, if that, and thus was a waste of time. It's nice to know which articles have what you want, but you still have to find the full text at the university library, and the library likely has better search capabilities anyway.
Maybe somebody else has had a better experience with Google Scholar.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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