Political Themes of TNT's ANIMAL FARM


SPIN AND PROPAGANDA: MESSING WITH THE MESSAGE

ANIMAL FARM follows the animals' fortunes as they experience tyranny, relative equality, and then tyranny again. Though this plot is simple, the real messages lie in the reasons behind these dramatic shifts: how the animals are motivated and manipulated in the creation of Animal Farm, and how its bright promise goes so badly astray. The main themes of ANIMAL FARM therefore center on the machinations of power and the mechanisms of control.

Before Old Major made his speech to the animals, they had no idea that there was an alternative to Jones' cruelty: he was the master and they were compelled to do his bidding. But after the animals hear about animalism, they see their world entirely differently. The success of animalism is a testament to the power of ideas. Old Major's words were compelling, and the animals listened. But Old Major did more than just explain his vision for the future: he taught the animals a song that made his political ideas palpable.

One of ANIMAL FARM'S strongest themes is the way that ideas can be packaged, manipulated, and reformulated in order to change people's beliefs - and even their behavior. Clearly, when Napoleon takes over the farm, Squealer becomes the minister of propaganda for his government. He makes Napoleon's policies seem reasonable and paints a glowing picture of the farm's productivity. His job is not unlike that of the political consultant who "spins" events and outcomes to reflect the agenda of his client, the politician.

Though Orwell certainly does not mean to suggest that Old Major is a political operator on the same level as Napoleon, the similarity between the effects that the skillful packaging of messages has on the animals in each case is certainly intentional. The fact that the animal masses find it difficult to resist a well-crafted and inspirational message is one of ANIMAL FARM'S most pervasive thematic ironies.

• ANIMAL FARM is a good teaching tool to examine and analyze the use and power of propaganda. Have students read through the Propaganda Worksheet ( http://turnerlearning.com/coldwar/cw_prop2.html). Then have them search the newspaper and news magazines for at least three examples of propaganda, identify each type and paste them onto posterboard, along with explanations. Post each student's work. Allow all students time to examine the examples and select one to counter in a short essay. As they watch ANIMAL FARM, students can identify and explore the different forms of propaganda used by the pigs and the other animals on the farm.
• Watch or listen to a non-American broadcast (CNN World News or "The World," a radio program). How does their "take" on world events differ from a typical US newscast? How can "spin" be used to influence world opinion and action?
• For those who already studied Kosovo: Examine President Clinton's speech on military force in Kosovo. Using your knowledge of the area's history, how does he "spin" U.S. involvement? Is this necessarily dishonest? Do all accounts and justification for actions involve some "story-telling"?

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