Allentown High School, Allentown, NJ 08501
"Big Brother" in Himalaya
Reading Propaganda
We’ve talked about how images, like text, have power. Preview the images and the information on the websites. Look at the propaganda posters. What are they promoting? How? What is their appeal? How do they use ethos, logos, and pathos to persuade their intended audience?
YOUR TURN: Part 1
After you preview a variety of posters, paste one into a Word document and analyze it. Be as detailed and specific as possible.
Consider the following:
- What is the occasion? How do you know?
- Who is the intended audience? Again, what visual clues are present?
- What is the purpose?
- Who created it? (Who is the "speaker.")
- What is the tone? How is it established? What colors are used? What is the layout of the information? What symbols are present?
YOUR TURN: Part 2
Winston Smith believes the power lies in the Proles. He says, “…if only they could somehow become conscious of their own strength, would have no need to conspire. They needed only to rise up and shake themselves like a horse shaking off flies. If they chose they could blow the Party to pieces tomorrow morning. Surely sooner or later it must occur to them to do it? And yet--!” Create a poster to motivate the Proles to overthrow Big Brother. What methods could Winston use to overcome their reluctance to organize? What appeals are appropriate? Think about the problems the Proles (as well as the Outer Party members) deal with daily.
Key Points:
- Clarity of purpose
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Appropriateness of appeal(s)
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Suitability of images (remember, collage is an acceptable medium)