Animal Farm Propaganda
Animal Farm: Timeless Propaganda
Upon Animal Farm’s first publication in 1945, it quickly became a success and is now regarded as one of the best allegories of Soviet totalitarianism ever written. All of its characters provided a representation of Soviet Russia’s political figures, with its main character, Napoleon, illustrating Joseph Stalin and a corrupt totalitarian rule. The book parodies Stalin’s rise to power and his eventual total control of nearly every aspect of personal and private behavior. Animal Farm’s message does not strictly coincide to the events of the 1930’s, however. In Animal Farm, three specific tactics of propaganda arise which are visible today. These propaganda devices are fear, deceit, and isolationism. Specifically I use the example of Iran and its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as a means of reflecting Animal Farm’s timeless ideas. Although it was written almost seven decades ago, it’s message still remains true and apparent. Animal Farm’s examples of propaganda have a timeless appeal which can be demonstrated even in today’s modern day society. Fear is an effective tool of propaganda which Napoleon uses to his advantage. He instills fear through his dogs and public killings in which any opposers of his revolution are murdered. Napoleon uses this fear in order to sway public opinion and further his ideas. Similarly, Iran uses fear in order to maintain power just as Napoleon did. Since the 1950’s, organizations similar to the Secret Police of Germany have existed within Iran in order combat any dissident movements and instill fear among the public. It began with the Savak, established in 1957. Savak was an Organization of Intelligence and National Security who were deemed responsible for the death of thousands within Iran. The Savak monitored any challengers to their regime, often times arresting, torturing, and killing them. The Savak maintained order through fear of death or torture. After the Iranian revolution of 1979,
Upon Animal Farm’s first publication in 1945, it quickly became a success and is now regarded as one of the best allegories of Soviet totalitarianism ever written. All of its characters provided a representation of Soviet Russia’s political figures, with its main character, Napoleon, illustrating Joseph Stalin and a corrupt totalitarian rule. The book parodies Stalin’s rise to power and his eventual total control of nearly every aspect of personal and private behavior. Animal Farm’s message does not strictly coincide to the events of the 1930’s, however. In Animal Farm, three specific tactics of propaganda arise which are visible today. These propaganda devices are fear, deceit, and isolationism. Specifically I use the example of Iran and its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as a means of reflecting Animal Farm’s timeless ideas. Although it was written almost seven decades ago, it’s message still remains true and apparent. Animal Farm’s examples of propaganda have a timeless appeal which can be demonstrated even in today’s modern day society. Fear is an effective tool of propaganda which Napoleon uses to his advantage. He instills fear through his dogs and public killings in which any opposers of his revolution are murdered. Napoleon uses this fear in order to sway public opinion and further his ideas. Similarly, Iran uses fear in order to maintain power just as Napoleon did. Since the 1950’s, organizations similar to the Secret Police of Germany have existed within Iran in order combat any dissident movements and instill fear among the public. It began with the Savak, established in 1957. Savak was an Organization of Intelligence and National Security who were deemed responsible for the death of thousands within Iran. The Savak monitored any challengers to their regime, often times arresting, torturing, and killing them. The Savak maintained order through fear of death or torture. After the Iranian revolution of 1979,