Use of Propaganda in Animal Farm by George Orwell Essay Sample

Leaders who abuse their power have been around for many years. Instances like this have happened but nothing like this. Napoleon uses propaganda to persuade the animals into thinking that he is there for them. 

The animals had a traumatizing experience with Jones but they kicked him out and the animals took over. After a long fight for power between Snowball and Napoleon, two pigs,  Napolean becomes too power-hungry and has Snowball chased off the farm by his fierce dogs. The animals question his actions and he is there to assure them that they were justified. Squealer says,

“Do not imagine comrades, leadership is a pleasure! On the contrary, it is a deep and heavy responsibility. No one believes more firmly than comrade napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to make decisions for yourselves, but you may make wrong decisions, and where would we be?” Orwell (55.) My quote shows one of the many times Napoleon has used propaganda to ensure power. He uses to try to say he is taking the burden off the animals when as a result a bigger one is accumulating. My thesis states Napolean “Hides under a cloak of fake comradeship” And this quote proves exactly that.

Napoleon who was believed to be for the animals was power-hungry and only for himself. The power of propaganda blinded the animals to see their downfall. When Napoleon’s propaganda doesn’t work he reverts to using fear to keep the animals under control. Napoleon’s power-hungry intentions are visible to the animals. Some animals question why Napoleon is going against the boundaries of animalism he and his own comrades ensured would work. Napolean’s speaker, Squealer, makes a speech on behalf of Napoleon. He calls upon their traumatizing experience with jones, which puts a blinding veil of fear on all the animals. The animals question no more about their worries. Squealer says, “Surely, comrades, you do not want Jones back?” Orwell (56.) When squealer asks them if they want Jones back. The animals know that animals fought and died for freedom from Jones.  Calling upon their traumatizing experience with Jones, the animals question no more. At the beginning of the story, the threats made by napoleon were mere. But soon, those comments progressed into brutal actions. Snowball’s recent expulsion leaves mystery in the air. Squealer has spoken, telling the people snowball was a spy for Jones all along and that there are more among us. This shakes the animals to their spines. The thought of another one of their comrades being secretly bad keeps the animals on the edge of their seats. Soon, Napoleon calls a farm meeting. 4 massive dogs stand beside him growling and drooling. Napoleon whistles and all four of the pigs are brought to his feet squealing in pain. Orwell writes, Immediately, the dogs bounded forward, seized 4 pigs by the ears, and dragged them, squealing in pain and terror”  Orwell (82.) This evidence is important because it proves Napoleans’s evil intentions. It elaborates and shows how Napolean is not all talk no action, and the animals fear they will be the next one. Fear is the Napoleans go-to method if propaganda doesn’t work. He makes sure the animals obey him even though it might mean drastic measures. Napoleon has proved that he is never afraid to use them.