Question

the pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the others. with their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership. boxer and clover would harness themselves to the cutter or the horse - rake (no bits or reins were needed in these days, of course) and tramp steadily round and round the field with a pig walking behind and calling out \gee up, comrade!\ or \whoa back, comrade!\ as the case might be.
--animal farm, george orwell
how does the central idea of this passage serve as social commentary?

• it pokes fun at the working class using education to overcome oppression.
• it demonstrates how the russian revolution resulted in equality for the working class.
• it demonstrates how society greatly improved under communism in the soviet union.
• it shows how a power structure began to develop in a society that was meant to be classless.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the passage: Pigs (leaders) don't work but direct others, while Boxer/Clover (workers) do labor. The society (Animal Farm) was meant to be classless after the revolution.
2. Evaluate each option:

• Option 1: The passage doesn't show the working class using education to overcome oppression. Eliminate.
• Option 2: The Russian Revolution (and Animal Farm's revolution) was supposed to create equality, but the passage shows pigs taking leadership (implying inequality), so this is incorrect. Eliminate.
• Option 3: The passage shows pigs directing (implying a power structure), not societal improvement under communism. Eliminate.
• Option 4: The society was meant to be classless, but pigs (a new leadership/power group) emerge, showing a power structure developing. This matches.

Answer:

D. It shows how a power structure began to develop in a society that was meant to be classless.