Napoleon manipulates the animals' perception of the past in order to solidify his authority and retain power.
One way Napoleon manipulates the animals' perception of the past is by rewriting history. He does this by altering the commandments that were originally created by Old Major. In the beginning, there were only seven commandments that emphasised equality and fairness among the animals. However, as Napoleon gradually becomes more authoritative, he begins to change the commandments to benefit himself and the pigs.
For example, one of the original commandments stated, "Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy." This commandment reflected Old Major’s belief that humans were the animals' oppressors. However, as Napoleon starts to form alliances with humans, he changes this to "No animal shall kill any other animal without cause." This change enables Napoleon to collaborate with humans without appearing to be violating the commandments.
Napoleon also distorts the true events that take place on the farm to manipulate the animals' perception of the past. He consistently blames Snowball, his political rival, for any failures or mistakes that occur. For example, when the windmill collapses, Napoleon attributes the incident to Snowball's sabotage, even though it is clear that lack of proper construction was the cause. By doing this, Napoleon creates a common enemy for the animals to focus on, diverting attention from his own incompetence and consolidating his power.
Furthermore, Napoleon utilizes propaganda and manipulation tactics to control the animals' thoughts and memories. He carefully controls the information flow and limits the animals' access to outside knowledge. This allows him to shape their perspective on historical events and present himself as a savior figure. Napoleon uses slogans and chants to reinforce his authority and encourages blind loyalty from the animals.
In summary, Napoleon manipulates the animals' perception of the past by rewriting commandments, distorting events, and controlling information flow. By reshaping history in his favor, Napoleon solidifies his authority, justifies his actions, and retains power over the farm.