The use of pronouns is used numerous times throughout the speech of Old Major to make his character sound sincere and equal to the other animals. He uses words such “we” and “us” to ensure a sense of humbleness among his fellow animals. This use of pronouns is seen in the opening lines of Old Major’s speech. The word “comrades” is used to address the animals creating a sense of togetherness and trust. Other phrases used throughout the speech, which enforce this point include, “I wish to speak to you”, “what is the nature of this life of ours” and “everyone of you”. Supported by the success of Major’s speech we realise that the use of pronouns feeling of safety and trust among the animals, leading to the persuasion of his audience. This is however only one of many different language techniques used by Old Major in the act of persuasion. Further into his speech, Old Major calls upon rhetorical questions to convince the animals of his ideology.
As we venture deeper into the speech of Old Major we see the increased use of rhetorical questions. This is another clear reason for the success of Old Major’s speech. The use of rhetorical questions ensures that the audience is only made aware of a single answer that may exist. This leads to a single opinioned audience. There are several examples of when these questions are asked within the speech. Exemplified here “in return for your four confinements and all your labor in the field, what have you ever had except your bare rations and a stall?” and “is it not crystal clear, then, comrades that all the evils of this life of ours spring from the tyranny of human beings?” and finally in a question as simple as “what must we do?” All of these rhetorical questions are utilised to focus the audience on a sole idea. These quotes enable the closed mind thinking of the audience. Old Major sometimes also answers the question for his audience leaving them stunned and making them accept his words even more due to the hesitance of the audience to think outside of what has been said. This is seen several times in the speech. Shown in, “now, comrades, what is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it our lives are miserable, laborious and short”. Furthermore, Old Major later says, “is it because this land of ours is so poor that it cannot afford a decent life to those who dwell upon it? No, comrades, a thousand times no!” The use of rhetorical questions in the speech preached by Old Major is a prominent technique used to persuade the audience.
The final yet most important technique used by George Orwell, expressed through Old Major is the use of emotive words, which motivate, inspire and encourage the animals to be rebellious against their current owner. This use of words allows for animals to fall for the persuasion that Major uses. Old Major is aware of the struggle that the animals are going through and is aware more importantly, that the animals know that they want to be free and work for themselves moreover he also understands that the majority of them believe this to be impossible. Major convinces and makes the animals confident by using words such as “freedom”. The use of emotive words mentally prepares the animals for a rebellion. Furthermore he uses words such as “slavery, starvation and rations” to manipulate his audience into the realization of their current, horrid lives. Following this Old Major now presents them with the reasons for their misfortunate lives. Phrases such as “stolen labor, real enemy and the root cause for hunger” fire blame upon Mr. Jones which causes acceptance of the fact that they were abused. Finally poignant words such as, “free”, “rich”, “prosperity” and “unity”, are once again used to encourage and hearten his audience. Utilization of the aforementioned inspiring words allows for effective persuasion within the animals. Major, through well structured ideas and the use of emotive words within his speech better communicates his ideology toward the target audience.
The language techniques that are used throughout the speech of Old Major written by George Orwell are key factors that persuade the audience. These techniques include the use of pronouns, the use of rhetorical, and finally the use of emotive words. Jointly these techniques that are used in the speech allow for the success of Old Major’s speech leading to the persuasion of the animals. We are able to see this accomplishment through, “at this moment there was a tremendous uproar” which “threw the animals into the wildest excitement”. The success of Old Major’s speech through the continuous use of persuasion is marked by the rebellion against their current leader Mr. Jones.
