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In Animal Farm, what was the consolation for the hardworking animals?
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In Animal Farm, the hardworking animals found consolation in the belief that their labor would lead to freedom and prosperity, as envisioned by Old Major. Initially, they were motivated by the dream of a society without human oppression, where they could enjoy the fruits of their labor. However, as the pigs' tyranny grew, their dreams faded, and they were consoled by Moses the raven's tales of a paradise after death.
Before the Rebellion, the animals take consolation in the dreams of Old Major, the boar. He tells them of the time when humans will be expelled from the farm. Then there will be no more whips or bits or harnesses. The animals will be able to keep all the fruits of their hard work and live lives of plenty.
After the Rebellion, the animals are motivated to work hard because they believe they are realizing Old Major's dream. They think they can live together in harmony and build a better society based on equality. They dream of easy retirements and of heated stalls. With Boxer to inspire them with his example, they work hard to build and then rebuild and rebuild the windmill.
By the end of the book, the animals have more or less forgotten their dreams of a better future. Under the tyranny of the pigs, their...
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lives are as miserable as ever. The pigs even allow Moses the raven to return. He consoles the animals for their lives of toil with stories of a paradise once they are dead.
The animals had been convinced that their efforts would provide them with all of the things that Man had been had withheld from animals:
Only get rid of Man, and the produce of our labour would be our own. Almost overnight we could become rich and free. What then must we do? Why, work night and day, body and soul, for the overthrow of the human race!
Old Major told this to the animals in chapter 1 during his speech. They were motivated by the goal to get rid of man. With the destruction of man, the were consoled with the fact taht they could be free, wealthy, and that they could enjoy the fruit of their labor.
Throughout the rest of the book, the animals work and toil to create their own developed farm. Many of their efforts are more difficult and strenuous than they were when Mr. Jones was in charge, but it is the belief in freedom and eating the fruits of their own labor that encourages them.