English exam yr 11

Dystopian trope Para 1

indoctrination through propaganda to perpetuate social control

Orwell represents the idea

of the power of language to distort perceptions of reality

what statement

demonstrating language can be weaponised by a corrupt elite minority to exploit the disempowered majority through propaganda which distorts their perception of their own reality leaving them vulnerable to further manipulation. 

Contextually,

Orwell alludes to Stalin’s propagandists like Dimitri Shepilov who from 1918, published propaganda in the government-controlled newspaper, Pravda, which ironically means ‘truth’. Russian citizens were indoctrinated with flattering poems and articles that constructed Stalin as a great warrior, saviour and father of the Russian.

Contextualise ep

Orwell’s representation of indoctrination through propaganda to perpetuate social control is highlighted in ‘The Milk and Apples’ episode when Squealer a short fat pig with a shrill voice who allegorically represents Stalin’s propaganda machine persuades the naïve and vulnerable animals that they have misinterpreted the pig’s actions when in reality they have been reaping all the luxuries for themselves.

Quote, technique and context 1

He effectively uses an appeal to science in “Milk and apples (and this has been proved by science) … necessary to the wellbeing of a pig” when Squealer lies to the naïve animals that only the pigs need milk and apples, and they should be allowed to access such materials, for the benefit of the farm.

analysis

The use of appeal of science works by constructing that Squealer to be credible in the eyes of the naive animals when he says that the fact has been ‘approved by science’, asserting a logic that is ‘backed up’ by science, making it seem reliable, when he instead uses their lack of intellect to hide the truth and allow the pigs to benefit and acquire the fruits of the animal’s hard work. The naïve and vulnerable animals who represent the proletariat of Russia, are unable to deny the false information as they do not have the respective knowledge or authority which comes from the elite hierarchy of the pigs based on intellect to refute the claims, leading them to be further manipulated to the pigs will.

purpose (can change for the question)

Orwell’s purpose is to position us to think about how easily language can be used to create propaganda in the world, making us wonder how much of the media and our lives have been manipulated by corrupt, privileged minorities to conceal the truth by lying.

Quote, technique and context 2

This idea is amplified through his use of repetition and threatening tone in “Jones would come back! Yes, Jones will come back!” when Squealer uses intimidating psychological techniques in his speech to strike fear and instruct the animals to believe and comply with the pigs’ words and instructions. The use of repetition and threatening tone works by creating a sense of terror and fear into the animals to further emphasise what would happen if they do not obey the pigs’ commands.

analysis

By repeating Jones name with a threatening tone, the pigs remind the animals of their enemy and who previously neglected and mistreated the animals, this tactic ensures that the animals are succumbed to a state of anxiety and fear at the thought of him returning, which would mean they would be stripped of their freedom and treated poorly. Squealer depicts the pigs as the saviours who are willing to sacrifice and help the animals, wanting only the best for the farm. This leads animals to be fooled by Squealer’s manipulation and believe his false narrative. This is significant because it positions us to see how exploitive elite minorities who effectively use psychological fear to manipulate people to their desires through using conniving language techniques that instils fear.

purpose

Orwell’s purpose is to clearly challenge us to think about how the lack of knowledge allows us to be easily consumed by propaganda, made by fear and baseless lies to indoctrinate people to be controlled by the privileged intellectuals that have a lust for an abundance of power.

value

In this way he affirms the value of education because it is a defence shield which prevents those vulnerable masses from being deceived and allows the question those in power. By highlighting the value of education he suggests that people can make decisions without being influenced by indoctrination which prevents corrupt minorities from obtaining social control.

dystopian trope 2

tyrannical dictator maintaining power by inflicting fear for the purpose of exploitation through the use of grim symbolism and gruesome imagery.

key idea + what statement

Orwell represents the key idea of the abuse of power to demonstrate how corrupt figureheads resort to unethical means like violence to silence the oppressed and protect their dictatorial power.

context

Clearly, it is Orwell’s intention to represent the abuse of power by a cruel and ruthless dictator to reflect the historical event of Stalin’s show trials in Russia which were bloody and gruesome and a means to purge the state of perceived threats to his dictatorship. During 1934-1938, 7 million Russians were either executed or incarcerated in gulags. Orwell’s exploration of tyrants maintaining power by inflicting fear for the purpose of exploitation is highlighted in the ‘Napolean’s Reign of Terror’ episode when Napolean, a large and fierce Berkshire boar, who is the antagonist of the story and allegorically represents Joseph Stalin the dictator of Russia. Eliminates any rebellious forces that may impose him of his power.

quote, technique, context 3

He effectively uses grim symbolism and visual and olfactory imagery techniques in “a pile of corpses lying before Napolean’s feet… air heavy with the smell of blood” when Napolean ruthlessly slaughters a large amount of animals for admitting to false crimes.

analysis

This technique works by highlighting Napolean’s crazed hunger for power driving him to murdering many innocent animals, The visual imagery in “a pile of corpses”, highlights Napolean’s indifference to bloodshed due to being engulfed with the hunger of power causing him to turn a blind eye to innocent suffering which is a common factor which comes with tyranny, conveying that Napolean is desensitised to violence and death due to his overgrowing lust of power resulting in him disregarding the lives of the hardworking animals. Furthermore, Orwell uses grim symbolism in “A pile of corpses lying before Napolean’s feet” to symbolise his superiority over the animals. The visual imagery in “lying before Napolean’s feet” illustrates that among the dead bodies, Napolean stands victorious as a controlling tyrant who would rather distribute punishment such as death to the vulnerable working class as a way to eradicate opposing forces and maintain his powerful status as the figurehead of the farm.

intention

Orwell’s intention is to position us to see that the lust for power can cause an individual to lose the humanity within them and commit heinous acts for the possession of authority.

quote, technique, context 4

This idea is amplified through his use of motif of fear in “The animals crept away in a body… shaken and miserable” when they were faced with the aftermath of Napolean’s executions.

analysis

The emotive adjectives “shaken” convey that the naïve and vulnerable animals are rendered powerless, unable to extract themselves from the state of severe oppression that they are living in. Orwell conveys that the animals are kept fearful and submissive conveyed in the connotative verb “crept” which represents that they are afraid due to the fear and intimidation tactics employed by Napolean. The motif of fear works by highlighting that the naïve and vulnerable animals are silenced into submission which further allows corrupt dictators to maintain their control and power.

significance and purpose

This is significant because it positions us to be warned against toxic power that disempowers a marginalised group. Orwell’s purpose is to clearly challenge us to think about the how individuals with authority can be transformed into outright tyranny when overcome with the corrupting influence of power, using their high position to abuse their power at the expense the uneducated and naïve populate.

values

Ultimately Orwell affirms the value of humanity whilst condemning authoritative attitudes as society must value the sacredness of human life and never endanger it in the pursuit of self-serving agendas such as the lust for greater power. People must protect their defenceless citizenry as they pay the price of their lives to fulfil the selfish desire of their power-hungry oppressors.  

How to structure a multimodal text

Introduction

• Text 2 utilises the multimodal features such as (state 4 techniques), to promote the purpose of (state purpose) targeting (entitled audience).

• Body

• technique - state it and the context its used in then write about effect and its purpose/meaning

MAKE SURE TO ADD A SPACE