Animal Farm Totalitarianism
Animal Farm and the Totalitarian Aspects of Scientology
In Animal Farm by George Orwell, the government established by Napoleon demonstrates many key aspects of Totalitarianism. Napoleon rises to power through his use of force, intimidation, propaganda, and brainwashing. In modern Scientology, there is profound evidence that there is use of similar tactics Napoleon administered throughout his rise to, and possession of power.
For example, Napoleon eliminated any threat to his absolute and unconditional power by eliminating anything or anyone that was a remote threat to him. Boxer, the outspoken and physically superior horse was his most substantial threat. He was the only animal on the farm to ever object to Napoleon’s ideas and he demonstrated the physical prowess fit for overthrowing Napoleon’s regime. In chapter nine, Napoleon found an excuse in Boxer’s injury from a fall to send him to his death while he convinced the animals of Animal Farm that he had died from the ailments his fall brought upon. ("Boxer!" cried Clover in a terrible voice….They're taking you to your death!") In relation to modern technology, similar methods are used to prevent criticism from being published that blemishes the credibility of the religion of scientology. Controversy around scientology has been arisen around their frequent tendency to lobby for the removal of critical articles pertaining to the religion from search pages on the internet such as Google or Yahoo. Napoleon also made the animals believe Snowball was evil. In scientology, they convince followers of the religion to have a negative attitude towards mainstream religions such as Judaism or Christianity.
Napoleon also administers the tactic of intimidation on Animal Farm. He heartlessly looks on as his guard dogs murder the animals of the farm after they confess to crimes they have committed (“When they had finished their confession…the dogs promptly tore their throats out…) This produces much fear between...
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