Show How Principles, Ideals and even Facts Are Corrupted By Powerful individuals to suit their own ends in ‘Animal Farm’

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Show How Principles, Ideals and even Facts Are Corrupted By

Powerful individuals to suit their own ends in

‘Animal Farm’

        The Principles of Animalism are the set of principles devised by Old Major in

Animal Farm that all the animals are expected to live up to and follow. These include

complete equality among the animals, and a rejection of human ways. During the tale,

we see these principles progressively subverted by the pigs for their own agenda,

which is to assume complete control of Animal Farm, while encouraging the other

animals to believe that the equality still exists. Squealer, as the propagandist on behalf

of the pigs, and the sheep and dogs as groups utilised by Napoleon to advance his

cause, are used by the pigs to destroy Old Majors idealism.

        Squealer is used by Napoleon as a spin-doctor, to manipulate the truth and

deceive the other creatures. We can see an example of this when the pigs start to

subvert the principle of equality, and decide to keep the apples and milk to

themselves. Obviously this arouses the animals because they are just about clever

enough to see that this is not fair, and that the pigs are being greedy. However,

Squealer is sent by the pigs to quell any unrest that might be brewing:

        

       ‘Comrades!’ he cried. ‘You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are

        doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege?’

Of course, this is exactly what the animals think, but when they are confronted in such

a straightforward manner, with such a reproving tone behind the question, they cannot

really reply, which gives Squealer the chance to begin his lies, which the animals

believe just because they can acknowledge the fact that the pigs are cleverer than

themselves. This use of a rhetorical question is Squealer’s main technique against the

animals, as this type of question hides a threat of disapproval if answered, and so

makes answer impossible:

        

       It was almost unbelievable, said Squealer, that any animal could be so

        stupid. Surely, he cried indignantly, whisking his tail and skipping from

       side to side, surely they knew their beloved Leader, Comrade Napoleon,

        better than that?

Once he has thus silenced the animals, Squealer, can go on to say anything that he

wishes to persuade them that everything is fine.

        Squealer will also support his rhetorical questions with a statement to make

the animals feel guilty and shamed for ever doubting the pig’s motives. Not only do

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they then drop their arguments, but they will take up a different train of thought

entirely:

        

       ‘It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples.’

Now, as well as not being able to continue arguing, the animals will also have the new

sense of gratification towards the pigs for their protection, thus making them less

likely to argue in the future.

       Squealer is extremely clever, and so can exploit any of the animals’

weaknesses. One of these is their fear of the return ...

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