By repeating this statement a few times it becomes accepted by the animals, who are apparently naive enough to think that a simple matter of milk and apples would bring Jones back.
Another persuasive technique that Squealer uses to its full advantage is the use of Rhetorical Questions. They all have obvious answers and just remind the animals that they don’t want Jones to come back at any cost. Basically there is only one possible answer for all animals to choose, the one which lets the pigs end up with the apples and milk.
Squealer says; “You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege?”
This makes the animals feel guilty to have even thought to doubt the pigs.
Squealer’s last statement is also a rhetorical question; “Surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?”
It is the last thing animals will remember and if Squealer hadn’t won them over by this point, they would probably be scared enough not to take this risk.
Squealer makes the animals feel guilty yet again when he says; “It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples.” He even backs this up with evidence;
“Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health.
Milk and apples (this has been proved by science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig.”
In addition, Squealer uses exaggeration to benefit his argument;
“The whole management and organization of this farm depend on us.”
On top of the fact that he has convinced the other animals into thinking that Jones will come back if they do not get their milk and apples.
One last thing to consider is Squealer’s body language, which can be equally as persuasive as words.
“...cried Squealer almost pleadingly, skipping from side to side and whisking his tail,”
This is previously mentioned in the first chapter when Squealer is being described;
“When he was arguing some difficult point he had a way of skipping from side to side and whisking his tail which was somehow very persuasive.”
It is mentioned right at the end of his speech, when he needed to win them over for good.
So to conclude, Squealer’s speech is full of persuasive techniques. These include; repetition, rhetorical questions, use of evidence and exaggeration.
Persuasive speeches are obviously biased but Squealer’s speech is more or less ‘brainwashing’. He acts as though he is equal with the other animals but is manipulating them for his own (or the pigs’ own) personal gain.
By Tess Darlington 10.6
