Propaganda
“...if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.” -George Orwell, 1984
Owing to widespread political instability over the course of the last century, propaganda was a widely used form of communication that was used to promote and publicize a particular political cause or point of view. The term propaganda is sometimes brought up in casual conversation, however, many do not realize the potential harm that propaganda may inflict upon an individual. According to Kressel, propaganda is defined as “the distortion of facts and events so that they reflect favorably on the ruling class." (Rodden:1999) In the novel Animal Farm propaganda is shown to indeed cause harm, and is a prominent theme throughout the novella. An examination of various sections of the book will be conducted in order to demonstrate three aspects of propaganda: how the minority in power uses propaganda to exploit/control the innocent minds of the majority in the working class; how Napoleon uses it in a sinister way to exile Snowball and his paradigm, and how Napoleon uses mendacious propaganda as a scapegoat for his own problems.
A recurring form of propaganda within the novella is demonstrated through the use of songs. In addition to Major’s speech at the beginning of the novel, the anthem “Beasts of England” serves as an abridgment of his feelings about man. (Moran:2001) Through the use of strong imagery, a fervent reaction can be provoked on the part of the singers and listeners. The reactionary emotions of cows listening to references to 'rings in noses' and 'cruel butchery' can easily be manipulated by the leaders of the Animal Farm to serve their own ends. Also, the chant promises familiar, easily grasped rewards of "wheat and barley, oats and hay" to those who obey the message. As far as actual imagery, there is much metaphor ("tyrant man shall lose his throne") and personification ("golden future rise"). The meter of the poem and rhyming scheme make it the sort of song that is easy to sing along with and remember. On another note, the anthem of Animal Farm also corresponds to the famous socialist anthem, “The Internationale,” and also alludes to “Shelley’s Men of England.”
Owing to widespread political instability over the course of the last century, propaganda was a widely used form of communication that was used to promote and publicize a particular political cause or point of view. The term propaganda is sometimes brought up in casual conversation, however, many do not realize the potential harm that propaganda may inflict upon an individual. According to Kressel, propaganda is defined as “the distortion of facts and events so that they reflect favorably on the ruling class." (Rodden:1999) In the novel Animal Farm propaganda is shown to indeed cause harm, and is a prominent theme throughout the novella. An examination of various sections of the book will be conducted in order to demonstrate three aspects of propaganda: how the minority in power uses propaganda to exploit/control the innocent minds of the majority in the working class; how Napoleon uses it in a sinister way to exile Snowball and his paradigm, and how Napoleon uses mendacious propaganda as a scapegoat for his own problems.
A recurring form of propaganda within the novella is demonstrated through the use of songs. In addition to Major’s speech at the beginning of the novel, the anthem “Beasts of England” serves as an abridgment of his feelings about man. (Moran:2001) Through the use of strong imagery, a fervent reaction can be provoked on the part of the singers and listeners. The reactionary emotions of cows listening to references to 'rings in noses' and 'cruel butchery' can easily be manipulated by the leaders of the Animal Farm to serve their own ends. Also, the chant promises familiar, easily grasped rewards of "wheat and barley, oats and hay" to those who obey the message. As far as actual imagery, there is much metaphor ("tyrant man shall lose his throne") and personification ("golden future rise"). The meter of the poem and rhyming scheme make it the sort of song that is easy to sing along with and remember. On another note, the anthem of Animal Farm also corresponds to the famous socialist anthem, “The Internationale,” and also alludes to “Shelley’s Men of England.”
The phrase “four legs good, two legs bad” constitutes Snowball’s condensation of the Seven Commandments of Animalism. Though the slogan shows his care towards the extra intellectual needs of the animals on the farm, on the other hand, it epitomizes the novel’s usage of propaganda, as the elite class abuses language to control the lower classes. Although the slogan seems to help the animals achieve their goal at first, enabling them to clarify in their minds the principles that they support, it soon becomes a meaningless sound bleated by the sheep (“two legs baa-d”), serving no purpose other than to drown out dissenting opinion. By the end of the novel, as the propagandistic needs of the leadership change, the pigs alter the chant to the similar-sounding but completely antithetical “four legs good, two legs better.”
As the propagandist of Animal Farm, Squealer uses several clever techniques to cover up the unjustified, illicit things the pigs do on the farm. As seen in chapter four, he persuades the other animals to accept that the pigs will keep all the apples and milk to themselves. He affirms the animals that the pigs are not “doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege” and that “Many of us actually dislike milk and apples” (Orwell, 2008, pg. 23) and only take them to stay healthy for the sake of the other animals. As he tells them that it is scientifically proven by Science that milk and apples “contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig,” it is therefore absolutely essential for pigs to take it because of “brainwork” and in order to facilitate “The whole management and organization of this farm.” Furthermore, he manipulates the animals’ fears by telling them that the consequences of the pigs failing their duty would result in Jones’ return. He emphasizes that with one false step, the animals will bring Jones back. In return, the animals “were completely certain” “that they did not want Jones back. When it was put to them in this light, they had no more to say.” (Orwell, 2008, pg. 23)
As the propagandist of Animal Farm, Squealer uses several clever techniques to cover up the unjustified, illicit things the pigs do on the farm. As seen in chapter four, he persuades the other animals to accept that the pigs will keep all the apples and milk to themselves. He affirms the animals that the pigs are not “doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege” and that “Many of us actually dislike milk and apples” (Orwell, 2008, pg. 23) and only take them to stay healthy for the sake of the other animals. As he tells them that it is scientifically proven by Science that milk and apples “contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig,” it is therefore absolutely essential for pigs to take it because of “brainwork” and in order to facilitate “The whole management and organization of this farm.” Furthermore, he manipulates the animals’ fears by telling them that the consequences of the pigs failing their duty would result in Jones’ return. He emphasizes that with one false step, the animals will bring Jones back. In return, the animals “were completely certain” “that they did not want Jones back. When it was put to them in this light, they had no more to say.” (Orwell, 2008, pg. 23)
In order to solidify his authority on the farm, Napoleon unites the animals against a common foe, Snowball, who is blamed for all the problems consequent to his banishment. As the animals perceived Snowball as a leader who acted in their best interests, previously “Animal Hero, First Class,” their good impression of him had affected Napoleon’s popularity. In order to demolish Snowball’s previous reputation to consolidate his power, in a sudden roar “in a voice of thunder,” he says “SNOWBALL!...Snowball has done this thing! In sheer malignity, thinking to set back our plans and avenge himself for his ignominious expulsion, this traitor has crept here under cover of night and destroyed our work of nearly a year.” (Orwell, 2008, pg. 47) Though the animals were “shocked beyond measure” to learn that Snowball could be capable of such an action, there was simply “a cry of indignation,” showing that the animals gullibly accept Napoleon’s propaganda and subsequently “began thinking out ways of catching Snowball.” (Orwell, 2008, pg. 68)