Squealer
Extended Squealer Character Analysis
In George Orwell's Animal Farm Squealer is a "porker," or one of the fatter pigs, living on the farm. He has twinkling eyes, is great at public speaking, and is popular with the other animals. Squealer is said to be very persuasive; he is able to “turn black into white” with his debate skills. In the story's allegory of the Russian Revolution, Squealer represents Vyacheslav Molotov, who was Joseph Stalin's loyal supporter and a chief figure in the Communist government.
Squealer helps to elaborate on Old Major’s teachings along with Snowball and Napoleon and enthusiastically reinforces the belief that pigs are brainworkers; the others, laborers. He is only too happy to serve as the pigs’ propagandist. He uses his speeches to convince the other animals to follow the pigs and later to follow just Napoleon. Squealer thus also represents Soviet propaganda itself, in particular the newspaper Pravda, which at the time of the Russian Revolution was used to spread Soviet doctrine.
Squealer convinces the animals that the pigs are the ones who need the milk and the apples the most. He uses an effective scare tactic, claiming that if the pigs were unable to eat the milk and apples, they would become ill, and if that were to happen, Mr. Jones would return. The return of Mr. Jones is much worse to the animals than the pigs having full access to the milk and apples, so the animals agree. This is representative of the pigs' slowly taking from the animals what is supposed to be owned by all. Squealer employs this rhetoric several times throughout the novel, repeatedly threatening Mr. Jones's return if the animals do not comply.
When Snowball is run off the farm, Squealer is tasked with explaining Napoleon’s new role as leader to all the animals. He instigates a greater dislike of Snowball by spreading hateful rumors about him. He becomes the spokesperson for Napoleon, who has slowly withdrawn from speaking directly with the other animals. It is soon only Squealer who tells the animals any news or ordinance. This shows how the animals—like the Soviets—are only exposed to a single, highly biased source of information. Squealer is even able to convince Boxer, who at first believed that Snowball was not a traitor in league with Mr. Jones, to agree with Napoleon’s views.
Throughout George Orwell's story, Squealer serves as Napoleon’s greatest helper and spreader of propaganda. He pacifies the animals by encouraging them to sing Beasts of England, revising the seven commandments, and training the sheep to repeat new phrases to serve Napoleon's purposes. He also joins with Napoleon and the other pigs in acting like a human. He begins to walk on two legs, carry whips, and wear clothes. Even though this causes distress among the animals, Squealer had trained the sheep to bleat "four legs good, two legs better!" Finally, Squealer is the pig who writes the final formulation of the seven commandments of Animalism: “some animals are more equal than others.”
Expert Q&A
What lies and distortions does Squealer use to label Snowball a traitor from the start?
To label Snowball a traitor from the start, Squealer claims Snowball was in league with Mr. Frederick and had conspired with Jones from the beginning. He falsely asserts Snowball's treachery almost led to defeat at the Battle of the Cowshed and credits Napoleon with heroics. Squealer's propaganda convinces the animals, despite his lies and manipulation.
How does Squealer justify changing the Commandments in Animal Farm?
Squealer justifies changing the Commandments by lying and manipulating the other animals. He claims that the additions were always part of the original Commandments and argues semantics to mislead them. For instance, he alters the rule about not sleeping in beds by adding "with sheets" and convinces the animals that they just "don't remember" the original wording, thus preventing dissent.
How does Squealer use logos, ethos, and pathos to persuade the other animals?
In "Animal Farm," Squealer uses logos, ethos, and pathos to persuade the other animals. He taps into their emotions (pathos) by invoking fear of Jones's return and promoting Napoleon's leadership. Squealer builds credibility (ethos) by aligning Napoleon with the respected Boxer's belief that "Napoleon is always right." He employs logical reasoning (logos) to justify the pigs' luxury needs for effective thinking, despite the flawed argument. His persuasive skills allow him to manipulate the animals even against their best interests.
In Animal Farm, why are the animals easily fooled, despite finding Squealer with a ladder and white paint at night?
The animals in Animal Farm are easily fooled by Squealer's deceit due to a combination of factors: their desire to believe in the pigs' good intentions, their lack of education, and the powerful influence of propaganda. The pigs manipulate the animals' memories and understanding of the commandments, making it easier for them to accept altered truths rather than challenge authority, especially in a climate of fear and repression.
How does Squealer justify Napoleon's decision to build the windmill in Animal Farm?
Squealer justifies Napoleon's decision to build the windmill by claiming it was Napoleon's idea all along, despite his previous opposition. He argues that Napoleon pretended to oppose it to expose Snowball's "dangerous character" and "bad influence." This manipulation serves to tarnish Snowball's reputation and elevate Napoleon's status, thereby consolidating his power. Squealer further convinces the animals by calling this deception "tactics," gaining their trust and facilitating Napoleon's control.
In Animal Farm, what is an example of Squealer's hypocrisy?
Squealer's hypocrisy is evident when he justifies the pigs' appropriation of milk and apples by claiming they need these foods for their "brainwork" managing the farm. Despite disliking these foods, Squealer insists their consumption is for the other animals' welfare, while in reality, the pigs selfishly hoard resources. He manipulates the animals by threatening the return of Mr. Jones, exploiting their fear to maintain control and privilege.
Squealer's Manipulation and Propaganda in Animal Farm
In George Orwell's Animal Farm, Squealer uses propaganda and manipulation to control the animals by employing rhetorical techniques, altering facts, and spreading fear. He employs threats, scientific justifications, and complex vocabulary to confuse and persuade the animals, often rewriting history to favor Napoleon. Squealer's propaganda includes name-calling, euphemisms, and logical fallacies to blame Snowball and glorify Napoleon. Alongside Napoleon's use of fear and violence, Squealer's language manipulation helps maintain the pigs' authoritarian regime.
Squealer's justifications for the unequal distribution of resources in Animal Farm
Squealer justifies the unequal distribution of resources by claiming that the pigs, as the leaders and brainworkers, need more food and better conditions to manage the farm effectively. He uses manipulative language and propaganda to convince the other animals that this inequality is necessary for the farm's success and their own well-being.
The animals' acceptance of Squealer's windmill explanation in Animal Farm
The animals accept Squealer's explanation about the windmill in Animal Farm due to his persuasive rhetoric and the fear of contradicting the pigs. Squealer manipulates the truth, using complex language and appealing to the animals' trust and loyalty to Napoleon, making it difficult for them to question his version of events.
The believability of Squealer's account of Boxer's death in Animal Farm
Squealer's account of Boxer's death in Animal Farm is not believable. He manipulates the truth to serve the pigs' agenda, claiming Boxer died peacefully in a hospital and received the best care, while in reality, Boxer was taken to a glue factory. Squealer's history of propaganda and deceit undermines his credibility.
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