The Role of Propaganda
Animal FarmExamines how Squealer's propaganda shapes the animals' beliefs and suppresses dissent throughout the story.
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The First Justifications

Squealer explains why the pigs need the milk and apples. He uses the threat of Jones's return to make the animals accept the sacrifice. The animals are convinced. Propaganda is introduced as a necessary tool to maintain order.
The Denial of Resolutions

When the pigs start trading with humans, the animals remember a resolution against it. Squealer claims that such a resolution never existed, that it was a dream. He asks for written proof, and there is none. The animals' memory is manipulated. Propaganda rewrites the past.
The Statistics of Success

Squealer reads out figures showing that production has increased by hundreds of percent. The animals cannot verify the numbers, but they are impressed. The propaganda creates a false sense of progress. The animals feel that they are better off, even when they are hungry.
The Demonization of Snowball

Squealer's most effective propaganda is the demonization of Snowball. He turns a former hero into a villain. The animals believe that Snowball is responsible for all their problems. Propaganda creates a shared enemy that unites the animals behind Napoleon.
The Final Lies

Squealer lies about Boxer's death, claiming he died happy in the hospital. He also lies about the meaning of the knacker's van. The animals accept the lies because they want to believe. Propaganda is so pervasive that the truth is no longer accessible.
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