Fear and Indoctrination:
* The atmosphere of terror: The pigs, led by Napoleon, have established a climate of fear and paranoia. They use threats of violence and the ever-present threat of the dogs to intimidate the animals. The animals are afraid to question the pigs or disagree with their claims.
* Propaganda and manipulation: The pigs control all information and spread lies about Snowball, painting him as a traitor and enemy. The animals are constantly bombarded with propaganda, leading them to believe that Snowball is a threat and that the pigs are acting in their best interests.
Self-preservation:
* Confessing to save themselves: The animals understand that refusing to confess will likely lead to punishment or even death. Confessing, even falsely, becomes a way to survive.
* Scapegoating and self-blame: The animals, conditioned to believe they are at fault, take responsibility for their own suffering. They believe that by admitting guilt, they can atone for their past mistakes and regain the pigs' favor.
Psychological Manipulation:
* The power of suggestion: The pigs skillfully use repetition, accusations, and false evidence to plant the seeds of doubt in the animals' minds. They are pressured to remember events in a way that confirms the pigs' narrative.
* Cognitive dissonance: The animals have deeply internalized the ideals of the revolution, but their lives under Napoleon's rule are far from what they envisioned. Confessing allows them to reconcile this cognitive dissonance and maintain their belief in the revolution, even in its twisted form.
Ultimately, the animals' confessions are a testament to the power of propaganda, fear, and psychological manipulation. The pigs, through their cunning and ruthlessness, are able to twist the animals' memories and force them to confess to a crime they never committed.