Because only certain animals could read, no one truly knew the commandments were changed. However, this would not have played over well without the influence that brainwashing has on the farm. As mentioned early in the novel, Squealer was very convincing. When an animal began to question the pigs’ behavior, Squealer steps in and abolishes any sort of doubt the animals have, usually by mentioning Jones or Napoleon. By doing this maneuver, Squealer obliterates any doubt the rest of the farm animals may have, and they stop questioning, blinded by only the wonderful rumours they’ve heard about Napoleon. This is commonly heard of in communist regions. For example, in North Korea, the citizens are put on a strict set of rules. If one wishes to speak about the dictator, he or she can only praise him. Through this, the people believe every rumour heard about their dictator, because that’s most likely all they’ve ever heard. Another common practice in dictatorships is teaching children how to fit in from the very beginning. In Animal Farm, Napoleon takes a litter of nine dogs and raises them himself, his explanation being that he would teach them. However, when they suddenly reappear after months of being hidden away, they’re vicious and deathly loyal to Napoleon. This is similar to Soviet propaganda in elementary schools. The children were encouraged to give themselves to the Union, trying to be as “red” as possible. Indeed, these dogs did exactly that. Growing up with the teachings of Napoleon, they’re so brainwashed that they know nothing other than loyalty to their leader. And so, with the help of brainwashing and a Stalin esque leader, the elite party of pigs becomes
Because only certain animals could read, no one truly knew the commandments were changed. However, this would not have played over well without the influence that brainwashing has on the farm. As mentioned early in the novel, Squealer was very convincing. When an animal began to question the pigs’ behavior, Squealer steps in and abolishes any sort of doubt the animals have, usually by mentioning Jones or Napoleon. By doing this maneuver, Squealer obliterates any doubt the rest of the farm animals may have, and they stop questioning, blinded by only the wonderful rumours they’ve heard about Napoleon. This is commonly heard of in communist regions. For example, in North Korea, the citizens are put on a strict set of rules. If one wishes to speak about the dictator, he or she can only praise him. Through this, the people believe every rumour heard about their dictator, because that’s most likely all they’ve ever heard. Another common practice in dictatorships is teaching children how to fit in from the very beginning. In Animal Farm, Napoleon takes a litter of nine dogs and raises them himself, his explanation being that he would teach them. However, when they suddenly reappear after months of being hidden away, they’re vicious and deathly loyal to Napoleon. This is similar to Soviet propaganda in elementary schools. The children were encouraged to give themselves to the Union, trying to be as “red” as possible. Indeed, these dogs did exactly that. Growing up with the teachings of Napoleon, they’re so brainwashed that they know nothing other than loyalty to their leader. And so, with the help of brainwashing and a Stalin esque leader, the elite party of pigs becomes