Question

Who is responsible for spreading Napoleon's propaganda?

• A. Boxer
• B. Squealer
• C. Snowball
• D. None

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Squealer

Squealer's Role in Spreading Propaganda in Animal Farm

• Squealer is one of the most significant characters in George Orwell's allegorical novella Animal Farm, serving as Napoleon's chief propagandist and mouthpiece.
• He represents the propaganda machine of a totalitarian government, particularly the Soviet press organ Pravda and figures like Vyacheslav Molotov, Stalin's foreign minister and chief propagandist.
• Squealer is characterized by his eloquence, his ability to "turn black into white," and his "brilliant talker" reputation, making him highly effective in manipulating the other animals.
• His primary method involves revising history and presenting false statistics to justify Napoleon's increasingly tyrannical rule and the pigs' growing privileges.
• For instance, he convinces the animals that the pigs need the milk and apples for their health, without which Jones (the former human farmer) would return. This is a classic example of fear-mongering.
• Squealer is responsible for gradually altering the Seven Commandments of Animalism to suit Napoleon's agenda, such as changing "No animal shall drink alcohol" to "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess" or "All animals are equal" to "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others."
• He consistently demonizes Snowball, portraying him as a traitor and a secret agent of Mr. Frederick, thereby solidifying Napoleon's position as the sole leader.
• Squealer uses sophisticated rhetorical devices, including fallacies, appeals to emotion, and diversion tactics, to confuse and mislead the less intelligent animals like Boxer.
• His constant repetition of slogans like "Napoleon is always right" and "Four legs good, two legs bad" (and later "Four legs good, two legs better") serves to brainwash the uncritical masses.
• Ultimately, Squealer's role highlights how language can be twisted and abused by those in power to control narratives, suppress dissent, and maintain an oppressive regime.