Animal Farm: Propaganda

• Animal Farm is a satirical allegory of the Russian Revolution.
• It critiques totalitarian regimes, particularly Stalinism.
• The novella was written by George Orwell and published in 1945.

Propaganda

• Propaganda is used to manipulate and control the animals on the farm.
• Squealer is the main propagandist, using rhetoric and lies to justify the pigs' actions.
• Slogans like "Four legs good, two legs bad" simplify complex ideas for the animals.
• Propaganda distorts reality and maintains the pigs’ power.
• The pigs rewrite history to suit their own agenda.
• Fear is a key tool used in propaganda, particularly the threat of Mr. Jones' return.
• The sheep are used to disrupt dissenting voices with their bleating of slogans.
• The animals’ ignorance and lack of education make them susceptible to propaganda.
• Language is manipulated to control thought and limit the animals' understanding.
• The singing of "Beasts of England" initially unites the animals but is later banned by the pigs.

Totalitarianism

• Totalitarianism is a form of government that seeks complete control over all aspects of life.
• The pigs gradually establish a totalitarian regime on Animal Farm.
• Napoleon uses force, manipulation, and propaganda to maintain control.
• The pigs create a cult of personality around Napoleon, portraying him as a benevolent leader.
• Individual freedoms are suppressed, and dissent is not tolerated.
• The pigs monopolize resources and privileges, creating a hierarchical society.
• The other animals are subjected to forced labor and live in poverty.
• The pigs rewrite the Seven Commandments to justify their actions.
• The use of terror, such as the public executions, enforces obedience.
• The pigs’ control extends to all aspects of the animals' lives, including their thoughts and beliefs.

Class Struggle

• Animal Farm depicts the class struggle between the pigs and the other animals.
• The pigs exploit the other animals for their own gain.
• The animals initially overthrow Mr. Jones in the hope of creating a more egalitarian society.
• The pigs, however, quickly establish themselves as the new ruling class.
• The gap between the pigs and the other animals widens over time.
• The pigs live in luxury while the other animals struggle to survive.
• The pigs justify their privileged position by claiming to be the brains of the farm.
• The other animals are too naive and uneducated to challenge the pigs’ authority effectively.
• Boxer represents the working class, who are loyal and hardworking but easily exploited.
• The failed windmill project symbolizes the exploitation of the animals' labor.

Character Analysis

• Napoleon: Represents Joseph Stalin. He is a ruthless and power-hungry pig who becomes the leader of Animal Farm.
• Snowball: Represents Leon Trotsky. He is an intelligent and idealistic pig who is driven out by Napoleon.
• Squealer: Represents Soviet propaganda. He is a pig who is skilled at manipulating language and spreading propaganda.
• Boxer: Represents the working class. He is a loyal, hardworking, and devoted horse who is ultimately betrayed by the pigs.
• Clover: Represents the female working class. She is a kind and caring mare who suspects the pigs of wrongdoing but cannot articulate her concerns.
• Benjamin: Represents the skeptical intellectual. He is a cynical donkey who understands what is happening on the farm but does not intervene.
• Old Major: Represents Karl Marx/Vladimir Lenin. He is an old pig who inspires the animals to rebel against Mr. Jones.
• Mr. Jones: Represents Tsar Nicholas II. He is the original owner of the farm, who is overthrown by the animals.
• The Sheep: Represents the blindly obedient masses who follow the pigs without question.
• Moses: Represents organized religion. He is a raven who tells the animals about Sugarcandy Mountain.

Allegory

• Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism.
• Each character and event in the novella represents a corresponding figure or event in Soviet history.
• The animals' rebellion against Mr. Jones represents the overthrow of the Tsar.
• The pigs' rise to power represents the rise of the Communist Party.
• Napoleon represents Stalin, and Snowball represents Trotsky.
• The Battle of the Cowshed represents the Russian Civil War.
• The windmill represents Stalin's Five-Year Plans.
• The pigs' rewriting of the Seven Commandments represents the distortion of ideology.
• The ending of the novella, where the pigs and humans become indistinguishable, represents the corruption of the revolution.
• The allegory serves as a critique of totalitarianism and a warning about the dangers of unchecked power.
• The story highlights how revolutions can be betrayed and lead to even worse forms of oppression.