In George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm, the character Snowball plays a crucial role in illustrating how power can be maintained through manipulation and fear. One of the most important questions readers often ask is how Snowball is used as a scapegoat throughout the story. After Snowball’s expulsion from the farm, his name becomes a powerful tool for controlling the animals. By blaming him for every failure and problem, the ruling pigs are able to avoid responsibility and strengthen their authority. Understanding how Snowball is used as a scapegoat helps readers grasp the deeper political and social messages embedded in the novel.
Who Is Snowball in Animal Farm
Snowball is one of the pigs who leads the animal rebellion against Mr. Jones. He is intelligent, passionate, and genuinely committed to improving life on the farm. Alongside Napoleon, Snowball helps develop the principles of Animalism and educates the other animals.
In the early stages of the farm’s new society, Snowball represents idealism, creativity, and hope. He introduces committees, plans improvements, and strongly supports the windmill project, which he believes will reduce labor and improve living conditions.
The Conflict Between Snowball and Napoleon
The tension between Snowball and Napoleon grows as they compete for influence. Snowball relies on logic and persuasive speeches, while Napoleon focuses on control and intimidation. Their disagreement over the windmill becomes a turning point.
Napoleon eventually uses trained dogs to chase Snowball off the farm. From that moment on, Snowball is no longer physically present, but his role in the story becomes even more significant.
The Beginning of Snowball as a Scapegoat
After Snowball’s exile, Napoleon and the other pigs begin blaming him for problems that arise on the farm. This marks the start of Snowball being used as a scapegoat. Any failure, shortage, or act of sabotage is attributed to Snowball’s supposed secret actions.
By doing this, Napoleon shifts blame away from himself and the pigs’ poor decisions. The animals are encouraged to believe that Snowball is a traitor working against them.
Blame for the Windmill’s Failure
One of the clearest examples of how Snowball is used as a scapegoat is the destruction of the windmill. When the windmill collapses during a storm, Napoleon immediately claims that Snowball sabotaged it.
This accusation prevents the animals from questioning the pigs’ poor construction methods. Instead of examining the real cause, they accept Snowball as the enemy responsible for their suffering.
Creating Fear Through an Invisible Enemy
Snowball’s absence makes him an effective scapegoat. Because he is no longer on the farm, he cannot defend himself or challenge the accusations. Napoleon uses this to his advantage.
The pigs describe Snowball as a constant threat who sneaks onto the farm at night. This creates fear and keeps the animals obedient, as they believe danger is always nearby.
Rewriting Snowball’s History
Another way Snowball is used as a scapegoat is through the manipulation of history. The pigs gradually alter the animals’ memories of Snowball’s role in the rebellion.
At first, Snowball is remembered as a hero who fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. Later, Napoleon claims that Snowball actually fought on Mr. Jones’s side.
This rewriting of history confuses the animals and weakens their ability to recognize the truth.
Scapegoating as a Tool of Propaganda
Squealer, Napoleon’s spokesperson, plays a major role in promoting the scapegoat narrative. He uses persuasive language, statistics, and emotional appeals to convince the animals that Snowball is evil.
Through propaganda, Snowball becomes responsible for
- Broken tools
- Missing food
- Slow progress
- General dissatisfaction
This constant blaming distracts the animals from noticing the pigs’ increasing power and privileges.
Why the Animals Accept Snowball as a Scapegoat
The animals accept Snowball as a scapegoat because they lack education and confidence. Many of them cannot remember details clearly and rely on the pigs for information.
Fear also plays a significant role. The threat of the dogs and the idea of Snowball’s return make the animals hesitant to question authority.
Over time, blaming Snowball becomes normal, and the animals stop considering alternative explanations.
The Psychological Effect of Scapegoating
Scapegoating Snowball has a powerful psychological impact on the farm. It creates a shared enemy that unites the animals against a common threat.
However, this unity is based on fear rather than trust. The animals become anxious and dependent on Napoleon for protection.
This dynamic mirrors real-world situations where leaders maintain control by blaming outsiders or former allies.
Snowball as a Symbol
Snowball represents more than just a character. He symbolizes political opponents who are removed from power and later blamed for systemic problems.
In this sense, Snowball is used as a scapegoat to demonstrate how authoritarian regimes rewrite narratives to maintain control.
Comparison to Real-World Scapegoating
The way Snowball is used as a scapegoat reflects real political strategies. Leaders often blame former officials, minority groups, or external enemies to distract from their own failures.
By studying Snowball’s role, readers gain insight into how scapegoating works beyond fiction.
The Role of Fear and Control
Fear is essential to making scapegoating effective. Napoleon ensures that the animals associate Snowball with danger and destruction.
This fear prevents rebellion and discourages independent thinking. As long as Snowball is blamed, Napoleon appears as the protector.
Loss of Critical Thinking
As Snowball is repeatedly blamed, the animals lose the ability to think critically. They stop questioning events and accept explanations without evidence.
This loss of critical thinking is one of the most tragic outcomes of scapegoating in the novel.
Why Orwell Uses Snowball as a Scapegoat
George Orwell uses Snowball to show how easily truth can be distorted when power is concentrated. Snowball’s transformation from hero to villain highlights the dangers of unchecked authority.
The scapegoating of Snowball reinforces Orwell’s warning about propaganda, memory manipulation, and blind obedience.
Key Examples of Snowball Being a Scapegoat
- Being blamed for the windmill’s collapse
- Accused of sabotaging the farm
- Portrayed as a traitor
- Used to justify harsher rules
- Blamed for food shortages
Snowball is used as a scapegoat in Animal Farm to demonstrate how blame can be manipulated to maintain power. By assigning every failure to Snowball, Napoleon avoids accountability and strengthens his control over the animals. This strategy relies on fear, propaganda, and the distortion of truth. Understanding how Snowball is used as a scapegoat allows readers to recognize the broader message of the novel when leaders control information and exploit fear, justice and truth are often the first victims.