Animal Farm - Squealer

Squealer : Propaganda

"He could turn black into white"

Squealer is one of Napoleon's closest allies on the farm, and takes every advantage of the fact. He is completely loyal to Napoleon, and does almost everything to help him and maintain his dictatorship over the farm.

Squealer is described as extremely persuasive, and his skills for speaking to and convincing the other animals are very apparent. Some examples of his persuasion include:

• Convincing the other animals that the pigs weren't eating the apples for their own pleasure, but instead to help everyone else.
• Persuading everyone that Boxer hadn't been sold off and killed by Napoleon, but was instead being taken to a vet who had just so happened to buy a van from a horse slaughterer.
• Convincing the other animals that the whole mix-up with Frederick and Pilkington was all intentional, and part of Napoleon's plan.

Squealer in Context
Propaganda and Vyacheslav Molotov

Squealer may not necessarily represent one figure, but instead represents propaganda as a whole. Being completely loyal to Stalin, and making up facts and figures to support whatever he did. However, Squealer could also represent Vyacheslav Molotov, who was very loyal to Stalin, and was the head of the Communist propaganda. This is supported by the fact that Squealer is very close to Napoleon, and that he is the main advocate for pro-Napoleon and Animalist propaganda.

Quotes and Analysis

"He could turn black into white"

This quote is from chapter two, where Squealer is first introduced, and this is how he’s described by the other animals.
This is a good quote to link to the context of Squealer representing propaganda, as it shows how the media can turn any bad situation into a positive one. Particularly when portraying the dictator (Napoleon/Stalin) in a positive light, despite the situation being negative. The fact that this quote is by the animals could also link to Squealer/The propaganda’s relationship with the public.

"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."

These quotes are from chapter three, in which Squealer convinces the animals that the pigs are eating the milk and apples for the good of the farm, and are in fact helping the working animals. 
"He cried" is suggesting that this is an emotional and…