Question

Four legs good, two legs BETTER! Four legs good, two legs BETTER! Four legs good, two legs BETTER!"

It went on for five minutes without stopping. And by the time the sheep had quieted down, the chance to utter any protest had passed, for the pigs had marched back into the farmhouse.

How does Orwell use irony to develop the theme that the abuse of language is part of the abuse of power?

Orwell uses irony to emphasize the sheep’s insistence that they have changed their views on animalism.
Orwell uses irony to show how the sheep are chanting in a way that disturbs the other animals.
Orwell uses irony to highlight how the sheep are repeating words that go against their self-interest.
Orwell uses irony to draw attention to the fact that the sheep are smart enough to communicate verbally.

Answer 1

Correct answer: Orwell uses irony to highlight how the sheep are repeating words that go against their self-interest.

Explanation: the sheep chant “Four legs good, two legs BETTER!” — a paradoxical slogan because sheep, as four‑legged animals, should benefit from “four legs good.” The irony shows that language has been twisted: a simple, meaningless phrase is used as propaganda to erase critical thought and to drown out dissent. By having the least powerful animals mindlessly repeat a slogan that actually supports the pigs’ takeover, Orwell illustrates how control and abuse of language enable the abuse of power.