English Language and Literature ETDs
Publication Date
7-3-1979
Abstract
Two recurring patterns in George Orwell’s Animal Farm and 1984 are counted and analyzed in relationship to Orwell’s theme: in Animal Farm, a passive phrase with the agent deleted and replaced by “it”, and in 1984, a negative pattern beginning with “it.” These patterns are shown to e typical of propaganda. The effectiveness of passive and negative patterns as propaganda is explained through a discussion of psycholinguistic research on comprehension time. These patterns are shown to work as propaganda in the fictional worlds of the novels. Orwell’s interest in propaganda and style are reviewed, and his ironic intent in Animal Farm and 1984 demonstrated. The passive and negative patterns are shown to be parodies of propaganda. H. P. Grice’s theory of conversational cooperation is utilized to show how these patterns are understood as being ironic by the reader while working simultaneously as propaganda for the characters of the novels.
Degree Name
English
Level of Degree
Masters
Department Name
English
First Committee Member (Chair)
Ellen Spolsky
Second Committee Member
Jane Lucile Baltzell Kopp
Third Committee Member
Paul Benjamin Davis
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Recommended Citation
Ramsey, Linda Ann. "George Orwell'S Exploitation Of Two Propaganda Techniques In Animal Farm And 1984." (1979). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/engl_etds/365
