In Joseph Stalin a wicked history author McCallum writes in Steven's time few people understood the extent of the disaster Stalin band journalists and other writers from publishing accounts of the famine what parallels can you draw between animal farm and this quote how do you these parallel and layers of meeting in the text support your answer with specific evidence from chapter 7

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In "Animal Farm," George Orwell explores themes of totalitarianism, propaganda, and the manipulation of truth, all of which resonate with the historical context of Joseph Stalin's regime in the Soviet Union. The quote you provided from McCallum about Stalin's censorship of journalists and writers can be paralleled with events in Chapter 7 of "Animal Farm," particularly regarding the animals' increasing disillusionment and the manipulation of information by the ruling pigs.

Parallels Between the Quote and "Animal Farm"

  1. Censorship and Control of Information:

    • In Chapter 7, the pigs, particularly Napoleon, control the narrative surrounding the food shortages and hardships that the animals face. They fabricate success stories and downplay the reality of the dire situations on the farm. This parallels Stalin’s regime, where information about the famine was suppressed and manipulated to maintain the appearance of success in agricultural policies. Just as Stalin banned journalists from revealing the truth, Napoleon employs Squealer to mislead the other animals, explaining that the situation is better than it seems and blaming traitors for the troubles.
  2. Propaganda and Manipulation of Truth:

    • Squealer regularly spreads propaganda, convincing the animals that "the farm is doing better than it has ever done," despite the visible starvation and suffering. This mirrors how the Soviet regime under Stalin utilized state-controlled media to create a false narrative about the successes of collectivism while hiding the realities of famine and oppression. For instance, Squealer claims, “It has become necessary to make a readjustment of rations,” suggesting that the animals should feel grateful for the little food they do receive, thus twisting their perception of reality.
  3. Public Denial of Famine:

    • In Chapter 7, the existence of a shortage is evident, yet the animals are constantly reassured that they are better off than they were under Mr. Jones or that they are simply facing temporary setbacks. This is akin to Stalin’s denial of the widespread famine in Ukraine during the Holodomor, where the reality of starvation was obscured by state propaganda. The animals begin to be confused about their own experiences, similar to how citizens of the Soviet Union were misled about their circumstances.
  4. Scapegoating of Enemies:

    • The pigs start blaming Snowball for the misfortunes of the farm, creating an external enemy to unify the animals against. Napoleon uses Snowball as a scapegoat, claiming he is secretly sabotaging the farm. This tactic of scapegoating mirrors the way Stalin portrayed various groups as enemies of the state to divert attention from his government's failures and to consolidate power through fear.

Evidence from Chapter 7

  • Discussions of Rationing: The rations are reduced while the pigs maintain their lavish lifestyle, and when the hens revolt against the new egg production quotas, the pigs respond with violence, displaying authoritarian control over dissent, which reflects Stalin’s brutal suppression of opposition.
  • The Commandments Altered: The Seven Commandments are altered to accommodate the pigs’ actions, yet the animals are led to believe that they are still upholding the founding principles of Animalism. This manipulation serves to distort the truth, similar to the altered narratives produced by Stalin’s regime to justify their actions.

In conclusion, the parallels between Stalin's historical repression of information and Orwell's portrayal of the pigs' manipulation of truth in "Animal Farm" highlight the mechanisms of control employed by totalitarian regimes. The behaviors of the pigs in Chapter 7 serve as a commentary on how power can corrupt and how propaganda can be wielded to oppress and disenfranchise populations, ultimately supporting Orwell's critique of totalitarianism.