How Does George Orwell Use Propaganda In Animal Farm

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Propaganda can be described as a language tool. Using subconscious language to relabel ideas as fact. The pigs use power and propaganda to shape perception and manipulate cognition in the animals throughout Animal Farm. The lowly animals are uneducated hence the power going to the cleverness of the pigs. With the right language, it can become quite persuasive and direct behavior to achieve the desired response. Such ideas are significant to viewing and understanding propaganda and the dangers of an underclassed society. The story serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of an uneducated society constantly being bombarded with misinformation. In “Animal Farm”, by George Orwell, the pigs' superior knowledge and use of propaganda tactics to …show more content…

The leadership is 'naturally' brought upon the pigs from their cleverelity. They are considered more knowledgeable and more intelligent than the other animals. "The work of teaching and organizing the others fell naturally upon the pigs, who were generally recognized as being the cleverest of the animals."(Orwell 7) This quote shows the dangers of an uneducated society. Another quote "The pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the others. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership." (Orwell 18) The pigs use their 'superior knowledge' to their advantage in supervising and leading the rest of the animals. This reference further portrays the impact of the education gap amongst the animals. Due to the pigs being intelligent animals, they felt as Old Major's speech came as natural and simple to understand whereas the other animals had difficulty understanding and had to be …show more content…

If the animals believed it, and there is no harm, propaganda throughout the story brings and maintains social order. However, the animals had their moments where they used critical thinking, and it was belittled. For instance, "Some of the animals had noticed that the van which took Boxer away was marked "Horse Slaughterer," and had actually jumped to the conclusion that Boxer was being sent to the knacker's. It was almost unbelievable, said Squealer, that any animal could be so stupid. Surely, he cried indignantly, whisking his tail and skipping from side to side, surely they knew their beloved Leader, Comrade Napoleon, better than that?" (Orwell 124) Nonetheless, the animals are belittled once again by the leader pig. They are misled into believing their thoughts are wrong. They are blindly accepting and believe whatever the pigs have to say, without critical thinking. The pigs use gaslighting as a tool in propaganda to shape perception and direct behavior. Thus, showcasing an underclassed society. Inevitably, one must agree the leadership of the pigs and the vulnerability of the animals are