What is Propaganda?
Propaganda is a form of communication aimed to brainwash and create paranoia for the public by informing them with false information.
There are many techniques that people learn in order to execute propaganda. Propaganda can be displayed through pictures, speeches, messages, verbal communication.
Propaganda is often seen in wars, as countries aim to win over a large number of people and gain power, or to subside an issue disturbing the public. When in reality, is shielding the populace from truth, justice and inevitable failure.
Propaganda is also present in political campaigns, as politicians aim to win as much votes and supporters as they can. They use techniques such as "Plain Folks". Meaning, the politician reveals themselves as an ordinary folk, establishing trust and connection between the populace. An example of this can be seen in Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. For example, Bill Clinton used "Plain Folks" to create a connection between him and the populace. "Bill Clinton ate at McDonald's and confessed a fondness for trashy spy novels." (Propaganda Critic, 2011).
There are many techniques that people learn in order to execute propaganda. Propaganda can be displayed through pictures, speeches, messages, verbal communication.
Propaganda is often seen in wars, as countries aim to win over a large number of people and gain power, or to subside an issue disturbing the public. When in reality, is shielding the populace from truth, justice and inevitable failure.
Propaganda is also present in political campaigns, as politicians aim to win as much votes and supporters as they can. They use techniques such as "Plain Folks". Meaning, the politician reveals themselves as an ordinary folk, establishing trust and connection between the populace. An example of this can be seen in Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. For example, Bill Clinton used "Plain Folks" to create a connection between him and the populace. "Bill Clinton ate at McDonald's and confessed a fondness for trashy spy novels." (Propaganda Critic, 2011).
Propaganda in Animal Farm
In Animal Farm, the pig Squealer is the symbol of propaganda. In the novel, he was often seen as the pig who has the only solid connection between the animals and the pigs. In other words, between the Proletariats and the Bourgeois. Napoleon takes advantage of this connection by having Squealer manipulate false information for the animals, to please them and to not doubt Napoleon.
The propaganda in Animal Farm links with the propaganda in the USSR during the great purges in the 1920s and Joseph Stalin in the 1930s. There were many posters around Russia that blinded the citizens from the injustice and inequality they were given, through perspective and manipulation.
Here is an example of propaganda in the USSR:
The propaganda in Animal Farm links with the propaganda in the USSR during the great purges in the 1920s and Joseph Stalin in the 1930s. There were many posters around Russia that blinded the citizens from the injustice and inequality they were given, through perspective and manipulation.
Here is an example of propaganda in the USSR:
“Propaganda focuses on political discipline and the Five Year Plans, ambitious programs for the collectivization of agriculture and establishment of heavy industry.” (Soviet Posters, n.d.).
This poster, by Nikolay Dolgorukov, was one of the many propaganda posters made in the 1930’s. This poster in particular aims to encourage the citizens to continue on with Stalin’s laborious 5 year plan. When Stalin changed the completion date to 4 years, it caused dramatic changes in planning as well as disastrous long term effects.
This poster, is a clear representation on the propaganda in Animal Farm, about the laborious process of completing the windmill. Napoleon uses the propaganda technique of making Snowball a scapegoat, to have the animals be motivated to redo the windmill. “We will teach this miserable traitor that he cannot undo our work so easily.”(Orwell, 1945).
This poster, by Nikolay Dolgorukov, was one of the many propaganda posters made in the 1930’s. This poster in particular aims to encourage the citizens to continue on with Stalin’s laborious 5 year plan. When Stalin changed the completion date to 4 years, it caused dramatic changes in planning as well as disastrous long term effects.
This poster, is a clear representation on the propaganda in Animal Farm, about the laborious process of completing the windmill. Napoleon uses the propaganda technique of making Snowball a scapegoat, to have the animals be motivated to redo the windmill. “We will teach this miserable traitor that he cannot undo our work so easily.”(Orwell, 1945).
Representation of Propaganda in Animal Farm
George Orwell believed propaganda was an extremely important tool during the 20th century, as it had a massive impact on the populace. "There was a massive use of propaganda in the 20th century than ever before. Some of the examples of such usage could be seen in both World Wars." (Role of Propaganda in the 20th Century, n.d.).That is one of the reasons why propaganda was the core weapon which led Napoleon in Animal Farm, to victory. He wanted to show the power of propaganda or “abuse of language”, and how influential it can be to a society. More particularly, the style of speech in propaganda.
Since propaganda is focused more on attacking human emotions rather than personal intellect, George Orwell also wanted to project the personal weakness of humans, and how they lead to their own defeat.
George Orwell made propaganda a main tool for the pigs to bury away their crimes and betrayal against the 7 commandments. Since Squealer used propaganda to subside the many inquiries and win over the animals, they believed the commandments were never altered. Which in the end, led to the fall of Animal Farm. An example is the 4th commandment, "Curiously enough, Clover had not remembered that the Fourth Commandment mentioned sheets; but as it was there on the wall, it must have done so." (Orwell, 1945).
Orwell displays perfectly how closed off civilians could be from the truth, as propaganda provides the only connection and communication source between the leader and the people. Squealer in Animal Farm, provides the only source of communication between the animals and the pigs, which has the animals cornered to believing the pigs, blinded and unable to uncover the truth.
References:
Soviet Union propaganda posters. (n.d.). Soviet propaganda posters. Retrieved March 11, 2013, from http://www.sovietposters.com/showposters.php?cat=13
1930., Plans, t. F., agriculture, a. p., powerful, e. o., impression, d., photomontage, u., et al. (n.d.). Soviet Posters. Welcome to IISH | IISH. Retrieved March 12, 2013, from http://www.iisg.nl/exhibitions/chairman/sovintro.php
II, W. W., troops, t. N., industry, s. g., facilities, s., railroad., corps, e., et al. (n.d.). WWII Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West . In Depth . Stalin’s Spies and Secret Police | PBS. PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://www.pbs.org/behindcloseddoors/in-depth/stalins-spies.html
Role of Propaganda in the 20th century. (n.d.). Homework Help from BrainMass. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://brainmass.com/history/us-history-since-1877/307698Brainy Quote. (n.d.). George Orwell Quotes - BrainyQuote. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_orwell.html#hJDzmqbt1XblaoFI.99technique, u. t., ideas, t., & alike., p. (n.d.). Propaganda Critic: Special appeals > Plain folks. propaganda critic: index of site dedicated to propaganda analysis. Retrieved April 5, 2013, from http://www.propagandacritic.com/articles/ct.sa.plain.html
Images:
Animal Farm News: The 7 Commandments and the Truth Behind Them. (n.d.). Animal Farm News. Retrieved April 5, 2013, from http://animalfarm101.blogspot.hk/2010/04/7-commandments-and-truth-behind-them.html
technique, u. t., ideas, t., & alike., p. (n.d.). Propaganda Critic: Special appeals > Plain folks. propaganda critic: index of site dedicated to propaganda analysis. Retrieved April 5, 2013, from http://www.propagandacritic.com/articles/ct.sa.plain.htmlSchaefer, B. (n.d.). Animal Farm By Brandon Schaefer - INPRNT. Gallery Quality Art Prints - INPRNT. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://www.inprnt.com/gallery/seekandspeak/animal-farm/
Soviet Union propaganda posters. (n.d.). Soviet propaganda posters. Retrieved March 11, 2013, from http://www.sovietposters.com/showposters.php?cat=13
Since propaganda is focused more on attacking human emotions rather than personal intellect, George Orwell also wanted to project the personal weakness of humans, and how they lead to their own defeat.
George Orwell made propaganda a main tool for the pigs to bury away their crimes and betrayal against the 7 commandments. Since Squealer used propaganda to subside the many inquiries and win over the animals, they believed the commandments were never altered. Which in the end, led to the fall of Animal Farm. An example is the 4th commandment, "Curiously enough, Clover had not remembered that the Fourth Commandment mentioned sheets; but as it was there on the wall, it must have done so." (Orwell, 1945).
Orwell displays perfectly how closed off civilians could be from the truth, as propaganda provides the only connection and communication source between the leader and the people. Squealer in Animal Farm, provides the only source of communication between the animals and the pigs, which has the animals cornered to believing the pigs, blinded and unable to uncover the truth.
References:
Soviet Union propaganda posters. (n.d.). Soviet propaganda posters. Retrieved March 11, 2013, from http://www.sovietposters.com/showposters.php?cat=13
1930., Plans, t. F., agriculture, a. p., powerful, e. o., impression, d., photomontage, u., et al. (n.d.). Soviet Posters. Welcome to IISH | IISH. Retrieved March 12, 2013, from http://www.iisg.nl/exhibitions/chairman/sovintro.php
II, W. W., troops, t. N., industry, s. g., facilities, s., railroad., corps, e., et al. (n.d.). WWII Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West . In Depth . Stalin’s Spies and Secret Police | PBS. PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://www.pbs.org/behindcloseddoors/in-depth/stalins-spies.html
Role of Propaganda in the 20th century. (n.d.). Homework Help from BrainMass. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://brainmass.com/history/us-history-since-1877/307698Brainy Quote. (n.d.). George Orwell Quotes - BrainyQuote. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_orwell.html#hJDzmqbt1XblaoFI.99technique, u. t., ideas, t., & alike., p. (n.d.). Propaganda Critic: Special appeals > Plain folks. propaganda critic: index of site dedicated to propaganda analysis. Retrieved April 5, 2013, from http://www.propagandacritic.com/articles/ct.sa.plain.html
Images:
Animal Farm News: The 7 Commandments and the Truth Behind Them. (n.d.). Animal Farm News. Retrieved April 5, 2013, from http://animalfarm101.blogspot.hk/2010/04/7-commandments-and-truth-behind-them.html
technique, u. t., ideas, t., & alike., p. (n.d.). Propaganda Critic: Special appeals > Plain folks. propaganda critic: index of site dedicated to propaganda analysis. Retrieved April 5, 2013, from http://www.propagandacritic.com/articles/ct.sa.plain.htmlSchaefer, B. (n.d.). Animal Farm By Brandon Schaefer - INPRNT. Gallery Quality Art Prints - INPRNT. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://www.inprnt.com/gallery/seekandspeak/animal-farm/
Soviet Union propaganda posters. (n.d.). Soviet propaganda posters. Retrieved March 11, 2013, from http://www.sovietposters.com/showposters.php?cat=13