Read the passage from Animal Farm. They had just finished singing it for the third time when Squealer, attended by two dogs, app
roached them with the air of having something important to say. He announced that, by a special decree of Comrade Napoleon, "Beasts of England" had been abolished. From now onwards it was forbidden to sing it. The animals were taken aback. "Why?" cried Muriel. "It's no longer needed, comrade," said Squealer stiffly. "'Beasts of England' was the song of the Rebellion. But the Rebellion is now completed. The execution of the traitors this afternoon was the final act. The enemy both external and internal has been defeated. In 'Beasts of England' we expressed our longing for a better society in days to come. But that society has now been established. Clearly this song has no longer any purpose." Frightened though they were, some of the animals might possibly have protested, but at this moment the sheep set up their usual bleating of "Four legs good, two legs bad," which went on for several minutes and put an end to the discussion. So "Beasts of England" was heard no more. In its place Minimus, the poet, had composed another song which began: Animal Farm, Animal Farm, Never through me shalt thou come to harm! and this was sung every Sunday morning after the hoisting of the flag. But somehow neither the words nor the tune ever seemed to the animals to come up to "Beasts of England." How does the introduction of Minimus the poet support the author's purpose? Minimus represents the Soviet people’s determination to defend the country against attack. Minimus represents the producers of state-approved songs and slogans in Stalin's era. Minimus represents the true feelings of all Soviet people and their commitment to communism. Minimus represents the underlying loyalty that Soviet people had to Stalin despite his flaws.
Minimus represents the producers of state-approved songs and slogans in Stalin's era.
Explanation:
George Orwell's "Animal Farm" is an allegorical take on the dictatorial government of the Soviet Union. Using animal characters as the main protagonists, the author presents the state of authority that befalls any 'government' that works to overcome one another, and the futile result that only leads back to the original condition.
In the given passage from the novel, the animals were seen singing "Beasts of England" which is a rebellious song that inspires them to be united and have a sense of brotherhood. But when Squealer came to announce the prohibition of the song and instead introduced a new song composed by the poet Minimus. This new song didn't seem to have the same effect of unity and patriotism as "Beast of England" does. But being ordered to sing only the new song, the animals on the farm have no choice.
<u>This 'forceful' introduction and implementation of the new song to replace the old, familiar song can be seen as a representation of the state-approved songs and slogans under the rule of Stalin (or in the case of the story, Napoleon) through puppet producers such as Minimus.
</u>
