Rhetoric In Animal Farm

Animal Farm', written by George Orwell, relates through use of allegory and rhetoric the details of the then-in-power Soviet Union. Using fictional characters to portray real people, George Orwell uses allergory, a type of metaphor, to teach people the dangerous situation of the Soviet Union. He used symbols and fictional events to convey the message of the story – that is, to reflect on the Russian Revolution of 1917, and denounce the injustice of Stalinism. A story of such depth then, is quite important to our society. However, many fail to understand the deeper meaning of many of its symbols and fictiscious portrayals. In the following paper, we shall discuss how 'Animal Farm' is not only an excellent example of allegory and rhetoric, but

We mostly see his use of rhetoric through the character 'Squealer'. Squealer serves as Napoleon's second-in-command and minister of propoganda, holding a position similar to that of Vyacheslav Molotov. As the minister of propoganda, Squealer uses his words and the way he talks as a way to convince the other animals on the farm that Napoleon's decisions and actions are for the best of the animals. He does a play on words, to make them believe that the old commandments were simply a part of their imagination and gossip : "Afterwards Squealer made a round of the farm and set the animals' minds at rest. He assured them that the resolution against engaging in trade and using money had never been passed, or even suggested. It was pure imagination, probably traceable in the beginning to lies circulated by Snowball". Thus, it is in Squealer that Orwell is at his strongest in demonstrating how words have power. He shows the readers that it is through language and political rhetoric that credibility is conferred upon the government. Thus, in this sense, we see how Orwell himself uses rhetoric in his writing to convince his readers that the Soviet Union had been corruptly and brutally leading its people. We see a prime example of this when he portrays the ending scene of the feast, in which the pigs and humans that are dining together are almost

Primarily, it is the message that is the same – to be cautious. In 'Animal Farm' at first it was the humans the animals were against – all animals were thus considered equal and safe. Yet as time continued, we see that many animals were unjustly murdered for either being unequal to the pigs, or being adversive to their leadership. We also see how the other animals that witnessed these injustices kept silent, for fear of the pigs, and for fear of going against the grain. As long as the pigs didn't come for them, they were fine to carry on with their lives. Thus, it is similar to the poem written by Niemoller. He was a pastor in a Protestant church, who failed to speak out after witnessing the injustice done to others that were considered 'inferior'. As long as he wasn't targeted, he failed to speak up. However, after almost everyone else had been found of some false crime, they came for him next. And by that time, there was no one left that could speak up and help his case. The point is to not take our positions for granted. In both accounts, the subject relates to the unlawful punishment of those considered 'inferior'. Niemoller, like the animals on the farm, payed very little attention until it was him that was next. Just like Boxer, who always did what was expected without going against the rules, he placed his trust in unjust hands. In the end,