Animal Farm by George Orwell depicts a world where animals are promised freedom from oppression, a society without class division, and equality for all. However, these promises are broken when Napoleon, the dictator, rises to power through fear and manipulation. In order to maintain his power, Napoleon utilizes the power of propaganda and censorship to control what the animals see and believe. This essay will explore how the use of fear and manipulation allowed Napoleon to rise to power, and how propaganda and censorship allowed him to maintain his rule.
The fear of Jones returning allows Napoleon to manipulate the animals into thinking that he is their hero and protector. All the animals do not want Jones back, and would go to many heights in order to not
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Squealer reads out lists of figures to the animals on Sunday mornings, proving that the production of every class of foodstuff had increased, which the animals see no reason to disbelieve “On Sunday mornings Squealer, holding down a long strip of paper with his trotter, would read out to them lists of figures proving that the production of every class of foodstuff had increased by two hundred percent, three hundred percent, or five hundred percent, as the case might be” (Orwell 81). If they knew that their living conditions were worse than before the rebellion, ideas of rebellion would soon rise, meaning Napoleon would not be able to maintain his power without propaganda. Additionally, when the animals sing “Beast of England” to express their mourning after the executions, Squealer announces that the song has been abolished, “Beast of England had been abolished. From now onwards, it was forbidden to sing” (Orwell 78). Pulling the song prevents the animals from communicating their rebellion, allowing Napoleon to keep what they see and hear in check as a preventive