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George Orwell Use Of Propaganda In Animal Farm

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There is an old saying that knowledge is power; it is a basic human function that enables us to survive and grow as a whole. Power alone has its own affects, however when paired with knowledge and language it becomes a force to be reckoned with. In the beginning of the novel Animal Farm, by George Orwell, the character Old Major gives a speech which inspires the animal revolution that erects the seven commandments; it foreshadows the downfall of the farm as each commandment is broken and changed one at a time. By examining the characters uses of propaganda, force and vulnerability it will be made clear how the abuse of language is connected to the abuse of power. Propaganda is known as “information, ideas or rumors deliberately …show more content…
The way the pigs use propaganda in the story is subtle yet persuasive; also the way that they manipulate vocabulary attracts sympathy and trust. Firstly, the pigs found ways to pervert the truth when they show hypocrisy by playing on the animals’ inability to read. For example, when the pigs first move into the farmhouse and sleep in the beds, the animals have Murial read the commandments to them again which states, “No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets” (Orwell, 45). Just by adding those two words at the end of the commandment has the animals disbelieving their own memory. Just a couple of extra words powerfully change their stance and the fact that they cannot read even makes it easier to pretend that those words have been there since the beginning. Furthering this idea, Squealer takes a very important role in spreading propaganda within the farm; he systematically sows ideas that force the others to agree with him. After the Battle of the Cowshed an argument was made, “’Bravery is not enough,’ said Squealer. ‘Loyalty and obedience are more important’…one false step, and our enemies would be upon us. Surely comrades, you do not want Jones back?’” (Orwell 37). The first punch that Squealer

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