Unit 1 Assignment: Analyzing How Information is Used to Trick Others

Follow the assignment instructions and review the rubric:
After you have completed reading “” by George Orwell you will examine how political language, information, and symbols (propaganda) were used to trick others AND achieve a goal.  You may want to consult the  too.
Your analysis should be set up in the following way:
1. Introduction: Provide a brief context of the novel Animal Farm, mentioning terms (e.g., allegory, satire) and connections to the Russian Revolution (major historical figures as characters).  Also, you will want to define and briefly explain propaganda.  This may require a two-paragraph introduction.  
2. Body: (2-3 paragraphs) Identify specific examples of propaganda in the novel.  Consider propaganda as any information: symbols, speeches, or public policies that are biased or misleading (used to trick others AND achieve a political goal).  Who used the propaganda?  Against whom?  What was the goal of the propaganda?  How did it work (explain the trick) in achieving that goal?  Explain, cite, quote, and connect each to your understanding of propaganda to the novel’s deeper meaning and Orwell’s overall purposes.
3. Conclusion: Make inferences based on Orwell and his position on society, language, and political propaganda.  Bring the topic up to date: If Orwell were still living, what might he think of our society’s use of propaganda?  Are the tricks in Animal Farm still a problem in our society?  Why or why not?  This may require a two-paragraph conclusion.
Consider using the following as examples in your submission: Old Major’s speech in chapter 1 and this one from Squealer (Chapter 3):

Comrades! he cried. You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for YOUR sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed in our duty? Jones would come back! Yes, Jones would come back! Surely, comrades, cried Squealer almost pleadingly, skipping from side to side and whisking his tail, surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?
**Also, don’t forget to cite Napoleon’s dark influences in the novel.  He rarely spoke publicly.  You might have to infer how he got his dirty work done privately and his messages made public.  Who did he use in this process?  What other intimidation tactics did he use?