The term propaganda is sometimes brought up in casual conversation, however,
many do not realize the potential 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. In the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell, propaganda is shown to indeed
cause harm. An examination of various sections of the book will be conducted in
order to demonstrate three aspects of propaganda: how it is used by Snowball to
positively obtain the control of Animal Farm; how Napoleon uses it in a sinister
way to exile Snowball and his paradigm and to show Napoleon's propaganda as a
scapegoat for his own problems. Again, Merriam-Webster states propaganda as the
spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring
an institution, a cause, or a person. First, it can be seen how Snowball uses
propaganda to effectively assume leadership of Animal Farm. After the rebellion,
Snowball took control and broadcast his ideas upon desprate ears. Vote for
Snowball and the three day week... (p.34) Snowball spread propaganda that would
promote Animalism by building a windmill. This windmill was to be used for
luxuries that would make life better for everyone on Animal Farm. Snowball also
said that although the construction would be difficult all animals would benefit
in the long run. His positive attitude, ideas and propaganda excited the animals
so much that they wanted to build it, until the demise of Snowball and his
crimes of treason. Napoleon decided to use propaganda in a negative manner to
destroy the reputation of Snowball's righteousness.
During a vote when the animals of Animal Farm were to decide the fate of the
windmill, the animals seemed to be siding with Snowball. That is when Napoleon
implemented his wicked plot to rule Animal Farm. Napoleon exiled Snowball from
the farm by means of death and then spread propaganda about how he was a traitor
from the beginning and how he has been working with Mr. Jones the past (exiled)
owner of Animal Farm. Napoleon did this to guarantee his position of leadership
at Animal Farm to counteract when he was outsmarted by the plans for the
windmill and the fact that Snowball was likely to be the one in complete control
of the farm. However, all the animals accepted Napoleon's propaganda and
continued with him as their new leader. . During the unjust reign of Napoleon at
Animal Farm, he encountered many problems that would eventually be attributed to
the use of propaganda. This use of propaganda was again corrupt, but it was used
in a different way, propaganda served as a scapegoat for Snowball and every
issue that would threaten his role as leader. This was obliviously evident in
many ways. When the windmill (a bad idea to begin with) was being built under
the rule of Napoleon, it toppled in a violent storm. It was declared destroyed
by Snowball but he could not have destroyed the windmill due to sheer size. The
animals thought about how Snowball was a traitor in the past and believed every
word that Napoleon directed. This also shows how propaganda is very powerful
when it is used in leadership situations. People will believe anything. 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. To help people.
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