Question

how does squealer gaslight the animals on pages 66–67 on the subject of beds? provide evidence from these pages to support your answer. in addition, explain how gaslighting is an example of dramatic irony, and discuss the impact of this dramatic irony on the reader.

Explanation:

1. Gaslighting on Beds: Squealer redefines "beds" (claiming the rule was against sheets, not beds) and uses fear of Jones’ return to silence dissent. Evidence: He twists the commandment, saying “No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets” (original was “No animal shall sleep in a bed”), and reminds animals of Jones’ tyranny to make them doubt their memory.
2. Dramatic Irony: Readers know Squealer lies (we see the original commandment and his manipulation), but animals don’t. This irony highlights the pigs’ corruption and the animals’ naivety.
3. Impact on Reader: It creates tension (we see the deception), evokes empathy for the animals’ manipulation, and critiques authoritarian manipulation by showing how lies are normalized.

Answer:

• Gaslighting on Beds: Squealer gaslights by reinterpreting the “No animal shall sleep in a bed” commandment. He argues the rule was against sheets (not beds), twisting the original to justify pigs sleeping in beds. He also uses fear (e.g., “Surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back?”) to pressure animals into accepting his false narrative, making them doubt their understanding of the rules.
• Dramatic Irony: Readers recognize Squealer’s deception (we know the original commandment and his lies) while the animals remain ignorant. This irony emphasizes the pigs’ hypocrisy and the animals’ vulnerability to manipulation.
• Reader Impact: The dramatic irony makes readers aware of the injustice, evokes frustration/sympathy for the animals, and reinforces the novel’s critique of totalitarian propaganda by showing how truth is distorted to maintain power.