Written By: Elif Şahbudak

Date: 03 April 2020

According to the University of Missouri, around 75% of an average human’s daily communication is made up of oral language, but why do people take advantage of this amazing phenomenon for their personal best? Knowing the potency of language over a person’s brain, some corrupt individuals exploit this reality to have utter control over people. As a matter of fact, George Orwell has analysed this situation in detail and has referred to it in his allegorical novella the Animal Farm. The cunning class of pigs in the farm abuse the power of language to unite the animals against the humans, simply to gain their trust and to create the foundations of an ever lasting tyranny. In George Orwell’s symbolic novella Animal Farm, the pigs use language techniques such as rhetorical devices, controlling questions, and verbal propaganda to manipulate the remaining animals of the farm.

Firstly, the pigs take advantage of the rhetorical device pathos to emotionally manipulate the other animals in the farm. Specifically in chapter 1, the entire farm is introduced to a song called “Beasts of England” presented by the deceased Old Major. The anthem includes impactful and emotive verses such as “Cows and horses, geese and turkeys, / All must toil for freedom’s sake” (Orwell, 12) that promotes togetherness and “Hearken well and spread my tidings / Of the golden future time” (Orwell, 12) that promotes feelings of hope in the animals. The pigs subtly use the power of these naive emotions for their own benefit. In the novella, Orwell depicts this scheme by stating that “The animals would still assemble on Sunday mornings to salute the flag, sing Beasts of England, and receive their orders for the week; but there would be no more debates” (54). As the pigs oppressively expose the animals to the anthem, they pressure them into inadvertently embracing their ideology of nationalism and animalism. Hence, it is evident that the sense of faith generated by the song not only reinforces this ideology but also deceitfully motivates the animals to toil harder without hesitation. Since the animals are caught into this ideology as if it is quicksand, they stay quiet as a church mouse and remain loyal to these ideologies. Believing that the pigs know the best, they do not rebel against their orders. In conclusion, the pigs benefit from rhetorical devices to obtain control over the animals; however, if this method fails to succeed, they use verbal propaganda strategies to regain their authority. 

In the novella, one of language’s essential purposes is to fabricate verbal manipulation techniques such as crafty slogans. Specifically in chapter 7, the animals were traumatized and bewildered by the slaughtering of the traitors and the banning of Beasts of England. The author narrated this instance as, “Frightened though they were, some of the animals might possibly have protested, but at this moment the sheep set up their usual bleating of ‘Four legs good, two legs bad,’ which went on for several minutes and put an end to the discussion” (Orwell, 88). This slogan was initially used to clarify the ideals of the rebellion in simpleminded animals such as the sheep. The striking and short phrases in the cunning slogan remarkably gains the sheep’s attention to become memorable for them. As the sheep embraced the slogan, the pigs took advantage and turned this situation into an oppressing mechanism. Whenever Napoleon concludes a speech or an animal attempts to protest a given order, the sheep would begin their chant of “Four legs good, two legs bad!” and involuntarily suppress any other unruly ideas. To conclude, with the help of verbal slogans, pigs manipulate the sheep to extinguish any potential uprisings against the current system. 

Finally, pigs avail themselves of the controlling questions method to direct the way the other animals think. When the pigs announced that they are planning to sell the hen eggs to the humans, the farm animals specified that a resolution about not engaging in trade with them had been passed before. To assure that this verdict was never even suggested, Squealer inquired, “Are you certain that this is not something that you have dreamed, comrades? Have you any record of such a resolution?” (Orwell, 64). It is clear that Squealer controls the other animals by questioning their memories. By directing a controlling question, Squealer leads the animals into the anxiety of thinking that they are delusional. This manipulative technique not only makes the animals doubt themselves but also directs the conversation towards the pigs’ calculated conclusion. Therefore, by utilizing controlling questions, pigs baffle the animals and subtly direct the way they think towards an intended outcome.

All things considered, language establishes the foundations of manipulation techniques such as rhetorical devices, controlling questions, and oral propaganda which is prevalent throughout George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The pigs use strategies such as pathos and controlling questions to not only emotionally manipulate the farm animals but also completely alter their thought processes. In addition, the pigs also make use of verbal manipulation techniques by creating powerful and unforgettable slogans to condition the animals in order to reinforce their ideologies. Hence, these deficits in language allow pigs to expand their never ending tyranny on the Animal Farm. The average reign of a dictator lasts for 12.5 years, so think about how many years you’ve been manipulated for. 

Works Cited:

Forbes, Alex. “How Long Do Dictators Last?“ Commentary. Summit Lake, 16 June 2014. Web. 02 April 2020.

Lee, Dick. Hatesohl, Delmar. “Listening: Our Most Used Communication Skill.“ Extension. University of Missouri. October 1993. Web. 01 April 2020.

Orwell, George. Animal Farm. United States of America: Signet Classics, 1996. Print.

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