Read the passage from Animal Farm.

Question

Within a few weeks Snowball's plans for the windmill were fully worked out. The mechanical details came mostly from three books which had belonged to Mr. Jones—"One Thousand Useful Things to Do About the House," "Every Man His Own Bricklayer," and "Electricity for Beginners." Snowball used as his study a shed which had once been used for incubators and had a smooth wooden floor, suitable for drawing on. He was closeted there for hours at a time. With his books held open by a stone, and with a piece of chalk gripped between the knuckles of his trotter, he would move rapidly to and fro, drawing in line after line and uttering little whimpers of excitement. Gradually the plans grew into a complicated mass of cranks and cog-wheels, covering more than half the floor, which the other animals found completely unintelligible but very impressive. All of them came to look at Snowball's drawings at least once a day. Even the hens and ducks came, and were at pains not to tread on the chalk marks. Only Napoleon held aloof. He had declared himself against the windmill from the start. One day, however, he arrived unexpectedly to examine the plans. He walked heavily round the shed, looked closely at every detail of the plans and snuffed at them once or twice, then stood for a little while contemplating them out of the corner of his eye; then suddenly he lifted his leg, urinated over the plans, and walked out without uttering a word.

What is most likely Orwell's purpose for writing this passage?

to demonstrate that Snowball is more creative than Napoleon
to illustrate the power struggle that Napoleon will likely win
to reveal Napoleon's real feelings about plans for the windmill
to show the interest of the rest of the farm in Snowball’s windmill

Answer 1

The most likely purpose of Orwell's passage is to illustrate the power struggle that Napoleon will likely win.

This passage emphasizes the contrast between Snowball and Napoleon, highlighting Snowball's creativity and dedication to the windmill project, while also showcasing Napoleon's hostility and resistance to Snowball's ideas. The act of Napoleon urinating on the plans symbolizes not only his disdain for Snowball's efforts but also foreshadows his eventual dominance over the other animals and control of the farm.