Read the passage from Animal Farm.

Question

As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. If she could have spoken her thoughts, it would have been to say that this was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race. These scenes of terror and slaughter were not what they had looked forward to on that night when old Major first stirred them to rebellion. If she herself had had any picture of the future, it had been of a society of animals set free from hunger and the whip, all equal, each working according to his capacity, the strong protecting the weak, as she had protected the lost brood of ducklings with her foreleg on the night of Major's speech. Instead—she did not know why—they had come to a time when no one dared speak his mind, when fierce, growling dogs roamed everywhere, and when you had to watch your comrades torn to pieces after confessing to shocking crimes. There was no thought of rebellion or disobedience in her mind. She knew that, even as things were, they were far better off than they had been in the days of Jones, and that before all else it was needful to prevent the return of the human beings. Whatever happened she would remain faithful, work hard, carry out the orders that were given to her, and accept the leadership of Napoleon.

Which details best support the theme that oppression can make alternatives seem impossible? Select two options.

“This was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race.”
“If she herself had had any picture of the future, it had been of a society of animals set free from hunger and the whip.”
“. . . they were far better off than they had been in the days of Jones, and that before all else it was needful to prevent the return of the human beings.”
“She would remain faithful, work hard, carry out the orders that were given to her, and accept the leadership of Napoleon.”
“. . . each working according to his capacity, the strong protecting the weak, as she had protected the lost brood of ducklings with her foreleg on the night of Major's speech.”

Answer 1

The two options that best support the theme that oppression can make alternatives seem impossible are:

1. “This was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for the overthrow of the human race.”
2. “She would remain faithful, work hard, carry out the orders that were given to her, and accept the leadership of Napoleon.”

These details illustrate the disparity between the animals' original hopes for a better society and the grim reality they face under the current oppression. The first option highlights their disillusionment, while the second shows Clover's resignation to the situation, indicating that alternative paths of rebellion or change seem unattainable.