Elements of Influence

CHAPTER 3LET ME EXPLAINLogical Persuading and Legitimizing

In George Orwell’s dystopian novella Animal Farm, Old Major, the prize Middle White boar of the Manor Farm, has a disturbing dream one night and decides to share it with the farm’s other animals. The next night, as Farmer Jones lies in a drunken stupor, Mrs. Jones snoring soundly beside him, the animals slowly gather in the big barn to hear what Old Major has to say. The prize boar is revered among the farm’s animals, and most listen attentively when he begins to speak:

Comrades, you have heard already about the strange dream that I had last night. But I will come to the dream later. I have something else to say first. I do not think, comrades, that I shall be with you for many months ...