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Using this extract as a starting point, discuss how the animals' present circumstances differ from what they had envisaged - NSC English HL - Question 7 - 2017 - Paper 2
Question 7
Using this extract as a starting point, discuss how the animals' present circumstances differ from what they had envisaged. The windmill is intended to mechanise th... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Using this extract as a starting point, discuss how the animals' present circumstances differ from what they had envisaged - NSC English HL - Question 7 - 2017 - Paper 2
Step 1
Using this extract as a starting point, discuss how the animals' present circumstances differ from what they had envisaged.
Answer
The animals had initially hoped that the revolution would improve their lives by freeing them from the oppressive rule of Mr. Jones. They envisaged a community where they could collaboratively manage the farm and enjoy the fruits of their labor. However, the outcomes starkly contrast their expectations. Instead of the promised freedom and equality, they find themselves laboring even harder with diminishing returns. Their efforts result in only greater benefits for the pigs, particularly Napoleon. The ongoing disparity serves to highlight the betrayal of their revolutionary ideals, with many animals worse off than they were under Mr. Jones.
Step 2
Explain the importance of the windmill on Animal Farm.
Answer
The windmill symbolizes the animals' aspirations for progress and a better future. Intended to mechanize the farm, it represents a move towards modernization and efficiency, promising to generate electricity and lighten the animals' workload. However, in practice, it becomes a tool of manipulation, used by the pigs to consolidate control. The animals invest themselves emotionally and physically into its construction, only to find that the outcome serves to reinforce the pigs' authority rather than benefiting the collective. It illustrates the theme of false promises and exploitation within the society the animals hoped to build.
Step 3
Discuss the implications for the animals of being watched closely by the outside world.
Answer
The constant observation by outsiders keeps the animals in a state of anxiety and paranoia. This scrutiny underscores their vulnerability and shapes their behavior, making them more compliant to the pigs' authority. The fear of human intervention fosters a sense of distrust among the animals, discouraging dissent and reinforcing loyalty to Napoleon. It inhibits the animals' ability to critically assess their situation, as they are more focused on external judgments rather than their own suffering. Such dynamics serve to entrench the power structures that limit their freedoms.
Step 4
In your opinion, Boxer's attitude toward making a success of Animal Farm harmful to the animals? Justify your response.
Answer
Boxer's unwavering commitment to work harder and his blind loyalty to Napoleon, while commendable in spirit, ultimately prove detrimental to the collective. His mantra, 'I will work harder!', showcases his dedication but also highlights his inability to recognize and challenge the exploitation he faces. This attitude inspires other animals to adopt a similar mindset, hindering their understanding of their plight and reinforcing the pigs' authority. Boxer's sacrifice feeds into a cycle of oppression where the well-being of the community is sacrificed for the delusions of success perpetuated by the pigs.
Step 5
Comment on the effect that this reference to Napoleon is intended to have on the animals.
Answer
By referring to Napoleon as 'our leader, Comrade Napoleon', the pigs aim to establish a sense of camaraderie and loyalty among the animals. This language fosters an image of benevolence and fraternity, suggesting that Napoleon acts in the best interest of all. It downplays the not-so-subtle reality of authoritarian rule, as it effectively reinforces Napoleon's position of power. The use of 'Comrade' aims to create an illusion of equality, further manipulating the animals into submission and preventing them from questioning or rebelling against his authority.
Step 6
Using your knowledge of the novel as a whole, discuss the validity of the above statement.
Answer
The claim that the animals could not remember the past underscores a critical theme in the novel: the manipulation of memory and history by those in power. Squealer's propaganda plays a significant role in conditioning the animals' perceptions, leading them to accept altered narratives of their experiences. This lack of memory directly correlates to their inability to recognize the exploitation they face, rendering them compliant and easily controlled. The consequence of this indoctrination is that the animals remain blind to their current suffering, allowing the pigs to continue their exploitative regime largely unchecked.