What does propaganda mean?
The term propaganda is brought up in casual conversation, however, many do not know the power that propaganda can have.
Merriam-Webster defines propaganda as the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person. (the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.)
Merriam-Webster defines propaganda as the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person. (the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.)
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Propaganda in Animal Farm
Propaganda Within Animal Farm Propaganda is used by people to falsify or distort the truth. Various sections will be conducted to demonstrate the three aspects of propaganda: how Snowball obtain the control of Animal Farm; how Napoleon exile Snowball in a sinister way and to show Napoleon's propaganda as a scapegoat for his own problems.
After the rebellion, Snowball takes control and broadcast his ideas upon desperate ears. "Vote for Snowball and the three day week" (p.33) Snowball spreads slogans and promote Animalism by building a windmill, which is used for luxuries to make everyone's life better. Even though the construction is difficult, however his positive attitude, ideas and propaganda persuade and encourage the animals to build it to their future use.
After Napoleon expels Snowball by the power of his well-trained dogs, he becomes the leader of Animal Farm. He uses propaganda to destroy the reputation of Snowball's righteousness. When the animals decides the fate of the windmill, most of them seem to be on Snowball's side. However Napoleon spreads propaganda about how Snowball is a traitor from the beginning, he also sends Squealer, a perfect propaganda officer, brainwashing the animals, "No one believes more firmly than comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal." (p.37) During the reign of Napoleon, he encounters many issues that leads him to use propaganda as a scapegoat for Snowball. For example, when the windmill is toppled in a violent storm, he declares that it is destroyed by Snowball. Anything that goes wrong on the farm, Snowball is blamed. In fact, Squealer has been found proving that Snowball is a traitor and is an agent of Jones from the beginning. When Boxer protests saying, "He (Snowball) fought bravely at the Battle of Cowshed." (p.37) Squealer corrects Boxer and persuades him to believe, "If comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right." (p.37) This shows how propaganda is powerful when it is used in leadership situations, because people is brainwashed and will believe anything.
By the end of the novel, Napoleon is sleeping in Mr Jones' bed, eating from Jones' plat, drinking alcohol, wearing a derby hat, walking on two legs, trading with humans. He even changes the Seventh Commandment to "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others." This reflects his unchallenged belief that he belongs in complete control of the farm. His restoration of the name Manor Farm shows just how much Napoleon has wholly disregarded the words of old Major.
After the rebellion, Snowball takes control and broadcast his ideas upon desperate ears. "Vote for Snowball and the three day week" (p.33) Snowball spreads slogans and promote Animalism by building a windmill, which is used for luxuries to make everyone's life better. Even though the construction is difficult, however his positive attitude, ideas and propaganda persuade and encourage the animals to build it to their future use.
After Napoleon expels Snowball by the power of his well-trained dogs, he becomes the leader of Animal Farm. He uses propaganda to destroy the reputation of Snowball's righteousness. When the animals decides the fate of the windmill, most of them seem to be on Snowball's side. However Napoleon spreads propaganda about how Snowball is a traitor from the beginning, he also sends Squealer, a perfect propaganda officer, brainwashing the animals, "No one believes more firmly than comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal." (p.37) During the reign of Napoleon, he encounters many issues that leads him to use propaganda as a scapegoat for Snowball. For example, when the windmill is toppled in a violent storm, he declares that it is destroyed by Snowball. Anything that goes wrong on the farm, Snowball is blamed. In fact, Squealer has been found proving that Snowball is a traitor and is an agent of Jones from the beginning. When Boxer protests saying, "He (Snowball) fought bravely at the Battle of Cowshed." (p.37) Squealer corrects Boxer and persuades him to believe, "If comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right." (p.37) This shows how propaganda is powerful when it is used in leadership situations, because people is brainwashed and will believe anything.
By the end of the novel, Napoleon is sleeping in Mr Jones' bed, eating from Jones' plat, drinking alcohol, wearing a derby hat, walking on two legs, trading with humans. He even changes the Seventh Commandment to "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others." This reflects his unchallenged belief that he belongs in complete control of the farm. His restoration of the name Manor Farm shows just how much Napoleon has wholly disregarded the words of old Major.
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Orwell's effect?
The novel Animal Farm clearly indicates how propaganda is used to change others beliefs When people are motivated by positive ideals and wish to promote those ideas, propaganda is a wonderful tool. However, when we see the darkness from Napoleon and it becomes difficult to separate the truth from lies. Hopefully, when propaganda is brought up in casual conversation it comes out in the way that Snowball intended.