Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plow, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself. Our labor tills the soil, and yet there is not one of us that owns more than his bare skin."—Old Major (a pig) from George Orwell's book Animal Farm
In the book Animal Farm, the animals on the farm revolt and form a new government. With which statement would the speaker most likely agree?
A. Animals should be given a share based on the work they do. The farm should be socialist.
B. A wise pig should make all the decisions on the farm. The farm should be an autocracy.
c. Every animal should have the right to vote. The farm should be a democracy.
D. Man should decide how to distribute things. The farm should be an oligarchy.
My answer is: C
I think there's a better answer. Let's see what Reed thinks -- if he adds his ideas.
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze the quote by Old Major and how it relates to the different options.
The quote describes how man (human beings) consumes without producing, whereas animals work and provide resources for humans without receiving fair compensation. The speaker criticizes the unequal distribution of resources and the exploitation of animal labor by humans.
Option A suggests that animals should be given a share based on the work they do, which aligns with Old Major's belief that animals should be justly rewarded for their labor. This statement supports the idea of socialism, where resources are distributed based on each individual's contribution or need.
Option B proposes that a wise pig should make all the decisions on the farm, promoting an autocratic system. However, this contradicts the speaker's message of fairness, as it concentrates power in the hands of one individual and may perpetuate exploitation.
Option C argues that every animal should have the right to vote and promotes a democratic system. This aligns with Old Major's intent to empower all animals and allow them to have a say in decision-making.
Option D suggests that man should decide how to distribute things, representing an oligarchic system where power and resources are controlled by a few individuals. This contradicts the speaker's critique of human exploitation and the need for fair distribution.
Considering the alignment between Old Major's message and the concept of democracy, option C, "Every animal should have the right to vote. The farm should be a democracy," is the most likely statement that the speaker would agree with.