Read the passage from Animal Farm.

Question

That evening Squealer explained privately to the other animals that Napoleon had never in reality been opposed to the windmill. On the contrary, it was he who had advocated it in the beginning, and the plan which Snowball had drawn on the floor of the incubator shed had actually been stolen from among Napoleon's papers. The windmill was, in fact, Napoleon's own creation. Why, then, asked somebody, had he spoken so strongly against it? Here Squealer looked very sly. That, he said, was Comrade Napoleon's cunning. He had seemed to oppose the windmill, simply as a maneuver to get rid of Snowball, who was a dangerous character and a bad influence. Now that Snowball was out of the way, the plan could go forward without his interference. This, said Squealer, was something called tactics. He repeated a number of times, "Tactics, comrades, tactics!" skipping round and whisking his tail with a merry laugh. The animals were not certain what the word meant, but Squealer spoke so persuasively, and the three dogs who happened to be with him growled so threateningly, that they accepted his explanation without further questions.

How does Orwell use Squealer's explanation to support his purpose?

Squealer's explanation of Napoleon's tactics is representative of a dictator who reverses policies and lies about his reasons.
Squealer's explanation of Napoleon's tactics is meant to shed light on why it is often necessary for dictators to lie to their people.
Squealer's explanation of Napoleon's tactics demonstrates a connection between Napoleon and Squealer that was not previously clear.
Squealer's explanation of Napoleon's tactics reveals a connection with Stalin's intent to do what was right for his people.

Answer 1

Orwell uses Squealer's explanation to support the purpose of illustrating the manipulative tactics employed by totalitarian leaders. The most fitting choice is:

Squealer's explanation of Napoleon's tactics is representative of a dictator who reverses policies and lies about his reasons.

This option highlights how Squealer, as a mouthpiece for Napoleon, distorts the truth and revises history to maintain control and influence over the other animals. By claiming that Napoleon was always in favor of the windmill, despite his previous opposition, and framing his actions as tactics to eliminate Snowball, Squealer exemplifies the disturbing nature of propaganda used in dictatorial regimes. This reinforces the theme of manipulation and the rewriting of facts to consolidate power, akin to the practices of real-world dictators.