Propaganda and Self Deception in Animal Farm

It only takes a bit of doubt to make someone consider even the most horrible acts. Eric Hoffer once said, “Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves.” In other words, it is a misconception that propaganda convinces people to follow a certain ideology; propaganda only gets them thinking and leads them to make up their own conclusions. This is true because people are subject to many forms of propaganda in their lives, however most people are able to decide what they choose to do with it. In the allegorical and dystopian novella, Animal Farm, by George Orwell, the animals are faced with many situations where they are presented with propaganda; as seen through the development of the characters and the author’s

The first reference of fear is seen when Napoleon and Squealer use their supremacy to create an edict that no one can go against their wishes. In Chapter 5, Napoleon “uttered a high pitched whimper…and nine enormous dogs wearing brass-studded collars came bouncing into the barn” (Orwell 35). The viciousness of the dogs creates fear in all the animals, rendering them too scared to speak; which makes it very easy for Napoleon to get his way and become the sole leader of Animal Farm. Following this incident, the dogs become a symbol of fear and death to the animals. Another stark and disturbing example of the fear tactics use is in chapter 7, when Napoleon’s dogs kill four pigs that question Napoleon’s authority. Even more animals are forced to confess and as a result, three hens, a goose, and three sheep are slaughtered. Napoleon continues killing animals until “there was a pile of corpses lying at his feet and air was heavy with the smell of blood” (Orwell 57). Fear is instilled in all of the animals and they are now even more terrified than ever because their own race is being killed. Their feelings of fear are