Read the excerpt from chapter 6 of Animal Farm.

Question

By the autumn the animals were tired but happy. They had had a hard year, and after the sale of part of the hay and corn, the stores of food for the winter were none too plentiful, but the windmill compensated for everything. It was almost half built now.

How does the pacing of this passage affect the reader’s interpretation of the text?

A flashback to earlier events provides a pause in the pacing to slow events down.
Foreshadowing of events provides information as to what will happen to the windmill.
The pace of the text quickens to convey the characters’ resolve to finish the windmill.
The pace of the text quickens to move the story to its climax, the completion of the windmill.

Answer 1

The pacing of the passage affects the reader's interpretation in the following way:

The pace of the text quickens to convey the characters’ resolve to finish the windmill.

This interpretation aligns with the description of the animals being "tired but happy" despite their hard work and the challenges they face. The mention of the windmill being "almost half built now" suggests a sense of progress and determination among the animals, indicating their commitment to the project. The emphasis on the windmill compensating for their struggles implies that it serves as a symbol of hope and motivation, driving them forward despite their tiredness. Thus, the quickened pace reflects their resolve and reinforces the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity.