Amimal Farm

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Recommended: Propaganda and corruption in animal farms

ANIMAL FARM

Political satire is not an uncommon literary genre. George Orwell is known for having written two of the most famous political satires in English literature. In Animal Farm, Orwell satirizes the show trials, the propaganda, and the cult of personality of Stalinist Russia.

First, there are the show trials. For example, the book states, “In the following days, the dogs become his (Napoleon’s) bodyguard and killing machine.” Napoleon orders the dogs to kill the farm animals because they don’t believe that Snowball is the cause of all bad. Once again, one of the seven commandments, “no animal shall kill another,” is changed to fit Napoleon’s way of doing things. Squealer, with his quick and smooth talk is always right there to explain for Napoleon’s actions. In addition, when the hens fail to “meet the egg productions,” the pigs become violent and slaughter them. The slaughter of animals continues when a sheep dies after it confesses to having urinated in the drinking pool. As more animals come and confess their wrong doings, the pigs kill them, so it becomes necessary to alter the sixth commandment in order to show that they are faithful followers of the set commandments. The new commandment now says, “No animal shall kill any other animal without cause.”

Second, there is the propaganda. For instance, Squealer uses propaganda more then any other animal on the farm, and he prospers from it. He becomes Napoleon’s second hand man by making everyone believe they remember wrongly about the commandments by asking, “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?” and makes sure everyone always believes Napoleon is a good leader. Furthermore, when Boxer is taken away in the knacker truck, Squealer tells all the animals that “the truck has been bought by the hospital, but they haven’t painted the old name out.” Squealer also brainwashes many of the animals into believing that they do not like apples and milk, which they were given to eat, while he, Napoleon, and other pigs are stealing food for themselves. Many things happen to Napoleon and the pigs because of propaganda.

Finally, there is the cult of personality. For example, Minimus expresses his feelings for Napoleon by writing a poem which, runs as the following:
Friend of fatherless!
Fountain of happiness!
Lord of the swill-bucket! Oh, how my soul is on

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