Discussion Topic
Propaganda in Animal Farm.
Summary:
In Animal Farm, propaganda is a critical tool used by the pigs to manipulate other animals and consolidate power. Squealer, the main propagandist, uses persuasive language to twist truths and justify the pigs' privileges, such as taking milk and sidelining Snowball. Songs like "Beasts of England" and slogans repeated by sheep exemplify how propaganda motivates and controls the masses. Orwell highlights how propaganda and power are intertwined, enabling governments to manipulate reality and suppress independent thought.
How is propaganda used in Animal Farm?
Propaganda is satirized through Squealer the pig. He symbolizes Stalin and the government's control over all media and information being given to the peasants. Because they were uneducated, the peasants could not follow twisted or illogical arguments when they were presented by someone whom they respected and considered intelligent. Furthermore, just like in Soviet Russia, the people had once trusted the government's intentions, so they trust the pigs and Squealer, and don't want to seem ungrateful or confrontation by questioning things that confuse them (especially because they know they don't have to the ability to argue back).
Propaganda is used in several ways. The first example is the song "Beasts of England," which is spread around the farm and even to other farms; this song motivates the animals to think about revolution, and to fight a specified enemy -- humans -- even though their lives are not...
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all that bad. Later, asNapoleon begins to take control, he uses Squealer to justify all his decisions. Squealer is good with language and good at excusing behavior by the pigs that would be criminal from other animals:
He assured them that the resolution against engaging in trade and using money had never been passed, or even suggested.... "Are you certain that this is not something that you have dreamed, comrades? Have you any record of such a resolution? Is it written down anywhere?"
(Orwell, Animal Farm, msxnet.org)
This is an example of propaganda created by the "government," or by Napoleon's regime. By controlling the topics and themes of discussion, and by vilifying and distracting, Squealer prevents the animals from questioning Napoleon and showing the flaws in his leadership. Squealer's voice is echoed in a vague sense by the sheep, who repeat the mantra "Four legs good, two legs bad" without any actual understanding of its meaning, and without understanding the issues at hand. This shows the tendency of news organizations and private citizens to parrot what they hear without looking for deeper truth; this is an example of "unintentional propaganda."
Squealer is the chief propagandist on the farm. He is initially described as a “brilliant talker” who has a “very persuasive” way of arguing. He gains the reputation of being able “to turn black into white.” Before the Rebellion, Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer formulate the principles of Animalism. After the animals’ victory is achieved, Squealer helps the other two paint the Seven Commandments on the wall.
As the pigs establish their privileges and authority, Squealer becomes their spokesperson. For example, he is the one who explains to the other animals that the pigs are taking the milk not because they like it but because they are “brainworkers” who need superior nutrition. And the other animals need the pigs if they want to keep Jones from returning.
After Snowball is expelled, it also falls to him to explain why Napoleon is in charge. Again, he brings up the vision of Jones returning, and again he insists that the special status is not enjoyable.
Do not imagine, comrades, that leadership is a pleasure! On the contrary, it is a deep and heavy responsibility. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal.
As Napoleon consolidates his rule, a pig named Minimus joins the propaganda effort because he is very talented at writing songs and poems. When called upon to explain Napoleon’s changing position on the windmill, Squealer convinces them that he had only pretended to oppose it. Now his speeches are often supported by the dogs’ threatening presence.
Squealer spoke so persuasively, and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly, that they accepted his explanation without further questions.
As the winter progresses and food grows short, Squealer frequently addresses the animals to convince them they are enjoying working so hard. As Napoleon grows less popular, he makes fewer appearances but leaves the public speeches to Squealer.
One of his greatest propaganda feats is rewriting history, as he makes the others believe that Snowball was not a hero of the Battle of the Cowshed; in fact, he was a traitor.
"Our Leader, Comrade Napoleon," announced Squealer, speaking very slowly and firmly, "has stated categorically—categorically, comrade—that Snowball was Jones's agent from the very beginning.”
References