Animal Farm Town Crier Essay

Animal Farm Town Crier
One of the greatest allegories written in British literature is Animal Farm by George Orwell. The events that happen in the story coincide thoroughly with the events that happened in the Russian Revolution in 1917. Along with tying in the events, Orwell lines up the characters in the story with the real life people or objects used in the Russian Revolution. Squealer the porker is one of the main characters in the story and represents the old time Soviet newspaper, The Pravda. He plays one of the most important roles as the spokesperson for Napoleon and the mediator for the other animals.
The Pravda was the most popular newspaper during the Russian Revolution and it became a major source of disinformation for Stalin,
whom in the book was represented by Napoleon. With Squealer acting as the biased ‘newspaper’ for Napoleon, it really assisted him in his success. It worked the exact way for Stalin. They could make their enemies look worse and validate their own role as the dictator. With their ‘hype men´ by their sides, it was effortless for Napoleon and Stalin to reach the top of the pedestal and remain there. If anything threatened their position, their helpers would essentially make sure the rumors dissipated.
As a result of being the publicizer, Squealer would need to keep his position by being Napoleon’s personal messenger. All of the news that Napoleon needed out, Squealer would make sure the animals were informed and make sure that Napoleon looked like he was making all the right moves. Squealer would justify things for Napoleon by saying things such as “The rule was against sheets, which are human inventions. We have removed the sheets from the farmhouse beds, and sleep between the blankets.” (Orwell 67). This is only one of the many times that he made it look like what they were doing was okay. Another example of his companionship to Napoleon was when he was talking about how Snowball had been “in league with Jones from the very start!” (Orwell 79). This was made to criticize Snowball and make Napoleon look like a favorable leader, even though it was a foolish accusation.
Naturally, Squealer would need some techniques to carry out his role.
Manipulation, propaganda, and inciting fear were some of his main skills that he used against the animals. In spite of what most of the animals feared, Squealer would say “Surely none of you wishes to see Jones Back?” (Orwell 67). This would instigate the fear in the animals and essentially make them believe whatever Squealer wanted them to. Squealer would also be “skipping around and whisking his tail with a merry laugh.” (Orwell 58). This makes him seem confident and that there is no need to further question what is actually happening. Without the capability to persuade and influence easily, he would not have been as useful to Napoleon or his role in the story.
Undoubtedly, Squealer was a very authentic representation of The Pravda. Napoleon would have never gotten away with any of his violations if it werent for his trusty accomplice. How was Squealer so good at being persuasive and being the publicizer? In all likelihood, it seemingly materializes from his name. If you have ever heard a pig ‘squeal’ you would know that it's loud and hard to ignore. Squealer is the literal representation of this word. It only confirms the fact that he represented The Pravda and that he was a relevant piece to the Animal Farm puzzle that Orwell put together in his
book. Works Cited
Orwell, George. Animal Farm. Penguin, 1966.