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Read the extracts below and answer the questions that follow - NSC English HL - Question 7 - 2016 - Paper 2
Question 7
Read the extracts below and answer the questions that follow. EXTRACT A [Napoleon] announced that from now on the Sunday-morning Meetings would come to an end. The... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read the extracts below and answer the questions that follow - NSC English HL - Question 7 - 2016 - Paper 2
Step 1
7.1 The fact that Boxer, who is normally unthinking/unwaveringly loyal and who does not question what he is told, realizes that something is amiss, suggests that there is something particularly disturbing about Napoleon's announcement. He intuitively knows that the decision to stop the meetings is contrary to the ideals of Animalism that proposed communal participation.
Answer
Boxer's hesitation indicates a significant moral shift among the animals, showcasing his inherent loyalty conflicting with his growing awareness of injustice. This marks a troubling turn where even the most loyal discover flaws in their leaders, reflecting the erosion of the original tenet of equality.
Step 2
7.2 Initially the mood of this meeting is despondent; there is a sense of discomfort because the animals are alarmed by the changes Napoleon has made to the management of the farm. The mood soon turns to fear when the four young pigs are threatened by the dogs.
Answer
The opening sentiment of shock transitions to a palpable fear reflecting a shift from collective unity to anxiety over individual safety. As Napoleon's power consolidates, the initial hope for equality gives way to a realization of oppression, highlighting the tyranny that has emerged.
Step 3
7.3 One of the propaganda techniques Squealer uses is to identify a common enemy (Jones and Snowball) in order to instill fear; this helps unite the animals and distracts them from Napoleon's corrupt leadership.
Answer
This strategy serves to deflect blame from Napoleon, making the animals focus on external threats rather than internal corruption. Squealer's rhetoric establishes a narrative that claims disloyalty is tantamount to treachery, ensuring compliance through fear and division.
Step 4
7.4 Boxer, who battles to formulate his thoughts, is typical of the unintelligent and illiterate animals; they are dependent on the pigs' version of events.
Answer
Boxer's struggle illustrates how the uneducated remain susceptible to manipulation. With the pigs controlling literacy and narrative, the rest of the animals are left vulnerable, unable to articulate or validate their own experiences, contributing to a cycle of dependency and exploitation.
Step 5
7.5 The description of the pigs' multiple vices is an indication that they are over-fed or over-indulged. They have become greedy and their lives have become more sedentary as they are no longer involved in any manual labour.
Answer
This shift highlights the hypocrisy of the revolution’s ideals, wherein the oppressors mimic the very qualities of their predecessors. The visual contrast between their indulgence and the struggles of the other animals exemplifies the betrayal of the founding principles of Animal Farm.
Step 6
7.6 After the revolution the animals expected to be equal and to collectively own the farm. However, their being outside while the pigs are inside the farmhouse contradicts the principle of equality.
Answer
This physical separation symbolizes the ideological rift that has developed post-revolution. The pigs’ exclusivity and distancing from the other animals sharply contrasts the promise of equality, demonstrating the inevitable corruption that power brings.
Step 7
7.7 Both Napoleon and Mr. Pilkington are exposed as cheats. They are untrustworthy, morally corrupt and prepared to do anything in order to gain the upper hand.
Answer
The collusion between leaders highlights a betrayal of the values initially espoused by Major, reinforcing the theme of corrupted ideals. Their actions suggest a cyclical nature of domination that contradicts the revolutionary ethos, emphasizing the tragic irony of the farm's transformation.
Step 8
7.8 Invalid. In Extract A, Squealer creates the impression that Napoleon's leadership is a burden to him. However, Napoleon's selfishness has been evident from the beginning. He has become an autocrat and is indifferent to the reactions of the animals.
Answer
Snowball is described as a 'criminal.' However, his actions in the novel portray him as a benevolent leader who cares for the well-being of all the animals. This dichotomy positions him as a victim of Napoleon's tyrannical rule, which ultimately leads to the perversion of the animals' collective aspirations.