Propaganda

Question 1

How does Old Major use propaganda to inspire rebellion?

Answer 1

Chapter 1
Through his song ‘Beasts of England’
It’s a pastiche of a song adopted by the communists after the Russian Revolution of 1917 called ‘The Internationale’.
Uses the line ‘of a golden future time’
Light imagery symbolises the hope for a utopian society where all animals are equal
Old major uses absolutist language throughout his speech which could have created a pathway for Napoleon’s Authoritarian rule

Question 2

How does Squealer use propaganda to help Napoleon gain power?

Answer 2

Chapter 5
‘Vote for Napoleon and the full manger’
Slogan used to simplify the idea of Napoleon’s rule bringing prosperity to Animal Farm for the uneducated animals
False promise of prosperity and success used to manipulate the animals as they are suffering from famine and will believe any idea that will provide them with food
Slogans are an effective method of mass control and the animals never fully learn what they mean and just repeat them naively

Question 3

How do Napoleon and Squealer take advantage of Snowball in order to gain power?

Answer 3

Chapter 7
‘Snowball was in league with Jones from the very start!’
Making Snowball into a scapegoat in order to hide their mistakes and establish their authority over the other animals
Snowball’s heroic role in battle is rewritten

Question 4

Why does Orwell use propaganda in the novella?

Answer 4

1. Creates an atmosphere of control, manipulation, and deception which enables Napoleon’s ruthless rule
2. Drives Napoleon’s rise to power and ensures the animals remain loyal and unquestioning resulting the rewriting of the commandments and snowball’s exile
3. Serves as a warning about how propaganda can be used to manipulate truth and deceive the masses
4. Creates irony as the animals believe they are more free though they are actually more oppressed than before