Animal Farm

Something that interests me is the multitude of methods that the pigs use, especially Squealer, to influence public opinion towards Napoleon's rule regardless of how corrupt he has become. Because the farm animals are mainly terrified by the idea of Mr. Jones's return and support their own "perfect equality" among animals, the pigs find it especially easy to convince them that every action is taken to preserve the integrity of their new political structure. Whenever the facts seem to falter, the pigs justify their actions by warning them that they definitely don't want Mr. Jones back. In addition, any inconsistencies that happen to pop up are smoothed over when Squealer insists that this was how things always were or that everything is for the good of Animal Farm. When the pigs took to sleeping in bed, the commandments mysteriously changed overnight, and the animals couldn't doubt it after Squealer had explained that the pigs are the ones doing the brain power. When Napoleon seized power by chasing Snowball out, it was put forth that Snowball, who had so sensibly led them, was no more than a traitor. Similarly, the communist propaganda, speeches, and public opinion were guided by the goal of perfect communism and the fear of tyrannical capitalism. Because many people were initially faithful that they would eventually reach the perfect society that they had imagined, they followed this idea and overlooked minor problems. Essentially the idea boiled down to the simple, "Four legs good, two legs bad," that was always chanted at the opportune moments. No one can disagree with the ultimate goal, so it seems impossible to point out a flaw when the leaders, and seemingly everyone around you, believe in this illusion.

Another thing that's interesting is how Orwell portrays Stalin through Napoleon and the workings of his corrupt government. From the beginning, Napoleon is a spiteful, malicious character, which we clearly see when Napoleon chases Snowball out with his vicious hounds. These dogs represent the NKVD, who would execute dissenters with Stalin's word and strike fear into others so that no one would speak out against them. Napoleon also began to hypocritically gain power within his institution by stating that the pigs, who kept the entire system in order, needed more privileges, an extra hour of sleep, lodgings inside the house, and special food. Similarly, Stalin and the vanguard were responsible for teaching communism and ensuring that the rest of the society was in order. By doing this, they also took extra privileges by placing themselves above the rest of a society in which everyone was supposedly equal.