Squealer and Present-Day Media
A critical analysis of Squealer in the novella “Animal Farm” and present-day similarities to our media.
What does a classic allegory about rulers and equality have in common with the modern realities of information dissemination? Let us explore how news is utilized in both situations to manipulate us, the general public.
A character worthy of analysis
Animal Farm is a true titan of classical literature for all age groups. By looking superficially at the setting and characters, one may brush it off as a children’s tale (my sister ignored my suggestion to read it just because of the title and cover illustration), but that simplistic delivery propagated impactful knowledge focusing on the capacity of individuals to believe and exist in a dysfunctional government. The government in this book is ruled by Napoleon the Pig, assisted by his right-hand man Squealer. Napoleon is portrayed as a dictator and Squealer stands for PROPAGANDA.
“Comrades!” he cried. “You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? … We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of this farm depend on us.”
For me, Squealer is the most important character of the book, the town crier of the dictatorship, the news bearer to the masses, and most importantly the sole source of information for all the animals. Squealer may even be considered a teacher. So much power indeed. Yet, he deceives the animals while posing as a genuine ally. He is only true to the aspirations of Napoleon and the pigs.
The others said of Squealer that he could turn black into white.
Even if there was a shred of doubt about the reliability of his message, the animals were obligated to accept whatever portrait he painted for them. He was the bridge between the ruling pigs and the working animals. Squealer utilized tactics like name-calling to create a negative public image for the enemies of the government. He even went as far as falsifying a deathbed testimonial from Boxer (who represents the loyal workers) to praise the rulers and their corrupted principles. He relentlessly manipulates the animals throughout the book. Without him, Napoleon’s government would have failed.
Besides, in those days they had been slaves and now they were free, and that made all the difference, as Squealer did not fail to point out.
His flashy slogans and powerful speeches kept the animals in line with the tyranny. Ultimately, his actions towards the preservation of the status quo could not be overstated. Squealer kept the masses in delusion and total submission. In the end, he proclaimed by the order of his superior that all animals are equal, some more than others.
A present-day perspective
It’s rather comically tragic that our society is in the same situation as the events depicted in Animal Farm. When the government fails the people (rather common nowadays), they try to hide their shortcomings through the media. The people have been betrayed, by our rulers and media. The government in most cases control “free speech”. False realities are created to project an illusion of competency. Enemies and rivals cooked up to distract us from real problems.
If the government is corrupt, it influences the press to betray its traditional role, instead, it becomes a tool for manipulating the populace. Propaganda techniques are used to reassure and ginger the masses with hope and more promises for the future. Things like everyday entertainment keep people occupied while being unconsciously indoctrinated with the ideologies of the ruling parties. Quite bizarre if you ask me.
Little or no attention is allocated towards information on the actual problems crippling the very structure of our society. The cries of the working class are ignored whilst countries battle amongst each other and commercial greed persists. Businesses actively utilize the press and media towards profiteering and engagement. These businesses rob the common man by broadcasting deceitful information campaigns on mass media outlets.
Media, businesses and politicians have become intertwined in a web of deception and manipulation. This web has trapped people in a dysfunctional society. With the recent onset of social media, even normal people through the blessing of popular culture are given a media-like platform to lead us astray towards whatever regularly uninformed beliefs they have. These contemporary journalists perpetuate disinformation and sometimes even push political agendas. The concept of modern-day media is truly polluted due to man's ever-persistent desires for material gain. Money, influence and power drive us and so they dictate the activities of the media.
Who can we trust to tell us the truth about our world?
All quotes are taken from George Orwell’s Animal Farm.