Read the passage from Animal Farm.

Question

Mr. Pilkington, of Foxwood, had stood up, his mug in his hand. In a moment, he said, he would ask the present company to drink a toast. But before doing so, there were a few words that he felt it incumbent upon him to say.

It was a source of great satisfaction to him, he said—and, he was sure, to all others present—to feel that a long period of mistrust and misunderstanding had now come to an end. There had been a time—not that he, or any of the present company, had shared such sentiments—but there had been a time when the respected proprietors of Animal Farm had been regarded, he would not say with hostility, but perhaps with a certain measure of misgiving, by their human neighbours. Unfortunate incidents had occurred, mistaken ideas had been current. It had been felt that the existence of a farm owned and operated by pigs was somehow abnormal and was liable to have an unsettling effect in the neighbourhood. Too many farmers had assumed, without due enquiry, that on such a farm a spirit of licence and indiscipline would prevail. They had been nervous about the effects upon their own animals, or even upon their human employees. But all such doubts were now dispelled. Today he and his friends had visited Animal Farm and inspected every inch of it with their own eyes, and what did they find? Not only the most up-to-date methods, but a discipline and an orderliness which should be an example to all farmers everywhere. He believed that he was right in saying that the lower animals on Animal Farm did more work and received less food than any animals in the county. Indeed, he and his fellow-visitors today had observed many features which they intended to introduce on their own farms immediately.

How does Orwell's characterization of Mr. Pilkington support his purpose?

Orwell draws parallels between Mr. Pilkington and the other farmers in town to show how dictatorial practices can be spread.
Orwell uses Mr. Pilkington to represent a new understanding between humans and animals that is beneficial for both.
Orwell uses Mr. Pilkington's speech to represent a modern way of farming that includes having farms run by animals.
Orwell draws parallels between Mr. Pilkington and leaders of countries who overlooked Stalin's poor treatment of his people.

Answer 1

Orwell's characterization of Mr. Pilkington supports his purpose by illustrating the complexities of human-animal relations in the context of the political allegory of the story. The best answer among the options provided is:

Orwell draws parallels between Mr. Pilkington and leaders of countries who overlooked Stalin's poor treatment of his people.

This option captures the essence of Orwell's critique of political figures who, despite the oppressive regimes and poor conditions experienced by the populace (in this case, the animals on Animal Farm), are willing to overlook these realities to maintain diplomatic relations or benefit politically and economically. Mr. Pilkington's speech reflects a willingness to accept and support the pigs' leadership, despite the underlying issues, paralleling historical relationships where political leaders turn a blind eye to injustices for their own gain.