Loading…
GCSE English Literature · key term
The organised glorification of a leader through praise, images, ceremonies and claims of exceptional wisdom or goodness.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Paper 2
Revise: NapoleonThis is a personality cult: praise and ceremony present the leader as uniquely wise and indispensable. Napoleon receives credit even for eggs being laid and water tasting good. Orwell uses these ordinary bodily processes to make the exaggerated praise ridiculous.
Paper 1
The organised presentation of a leader as exceptionally wise, heroic and indispensable, encouraging personal devotion rather than critical judgement.
Create a free account to keep every note you open and track your progress.
This is a personality cult, recalling the organised glorification of Stalin. Orwell uses the poem within his political satire to show the arts serving a ruler rather than questioning him. Songs, portraits and titles encourage the animals to credit Napoleon for achievements produced by their own labour, while making criticism appear ungrateful or disloyal.
Paper 1
An idealised public image of a leader, promoted through praise, ceremonies, portraits and claims of exceptional wisdom or goodness.
Revise: NapoleonThe pigs also create a personality cult: an idealised image that encourages the animals to see him as their protector and the source of every success.
