Sometimes the work was hard; the implements had been designed for human beings and not for animals, and it was a great drawback that no animal was able to use any tool that involved standing on his hind
legs. But the pigs were so clever that they could think of a way round every difficulty. As for the horses,
they knew every inch of the field, and in fact understood the business of mowing and raking far better
than Jones and his men had ever done. The pigs did not actually work, but directed and supervised the
others. With their superior knowledge it was natural that they should assume the leadership. Boxer and
Clover would harness themselves to the cutter or the horse-rake (no bits or reins were needed in these
days, of course) and tramp steadily round and round the field with a pig walking behind and calling out
"Gee up, comrade!" or "Whoa back, comrade!" as the case might be. And every animal down to the
humblest worked at turning the hay and gathering it. Even the ducks and hens toiled to and fro all day in
the sun, carrying tiny wisps of hay in their beaks. In the end they finished the harvest in two days' less
time than it had usually taken Jones and his men. Moreover, it was the biggest harvest that the farm had
ever seen. There was no wastage whatever; the hens and ducks with their sharp eyes had gathered up
the very last stalk. And not an animal on the farm had stolen so much as a mouthful.
I
Questions
1. Underline the words, phrases and/or sentences that are particularly expressive of the narrator's tone. What is the tone of
the passage?
2. What is the effect of such a tone? How does it add to our experience of reading the story?
3. Why do you think the author has chosen to tell the story from this particular point of view?