Question

What does Napoleon use to blame Snowball for troubles on the farm?

• A. Propaganda
• B. Squealer's speeches
• C. His secret police dogs
• D. None

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Propaganda

Animal Farm and the Power of Propaganda

• George Orwell's Animal Farm is an allegorical novella published in 1945. It reflects the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and then into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union.
• In the novel, Napoleon, a Berkshire boar, seizes control of Animal Farm and establishes a totalitarian regime. To maintain his power and deflect blame for the farm's failures, he consistently employs propaganda.

Napoleon's Use of Propaganda Against Snowball

• Snowball, another intelligent pig, initially shares leadership with Napoleon but is eventually driven out through Napoleon's machinations. Snowball represents Leon Trotsky, a rival of Joseph Stalin.
• After Snowball's expulsion, Napoleon designates him as the scapegoat for every problem encountered on the farm. This includes crop failures, animal illnesses, and even the destruction of the windmill.
• The primary tool for spreading this propaganda is Squealer, Napoleon's chief propagandist. Squealer is skilled in rhetoric and manipulation, representing the Soviet media (like Pravda) under Stalin.
• Squealer uses various propaganda techniques:
  • Rewriting History: He constantly revises the farm's past, particularly Snowball's role in the Battle of the Cowshed, portraying him as a traitor and a secret agent of Mr. Frederick.
  • Fear-Mongering: He instills fear by claiming Snowball is constantly plotting against the farm and could return at any moment to destroy it. This fear keeps the animals obedient to Napoleon.
  • Misdirection and Diversion: By blaming Snowball, Napoleon diverts the animals' attention from his own failures, the increasing hardships, and the pigs' luxurious lifestyle.
  • Repetition and Slogans: Simple, repetitive slogans are used to reinforce the narrative against Snowball, making it difficult for the less intelligent animals to question the official story.

Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams

• Allegory: Remember Animal Farm is an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. Napoleon represents Stalin, Snowball represents Trotsky, and Squealer represents propaganda ministries/media.
• Theme of Propaganda: The novel vividly illustrates how propaganda can be used to control populations, manipulate truth, and maintain authoritarian power.
• Scapegoating: The technique of blaming an external or internal enemy (Snowball) for all problems is a classic feature of totalitarian regimes.
• Orwell's Warning: The novel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political oppression, the abuse of power, and the importance of critical thinking and literacy.