Question

What is the "Sugar Candy Mountain" that Moses speaks about?

• A. A real location where animals are sent after death
• B. A place where the pigs plan to send the animals after the revolution
• C. A dream-like paradise that represents religion and hope for the animals
• D. None

Answer 1

Answer:

C. A dream-like paradise that represents religion and hope for the animals

Understanding "Sugar Candy Mountain" in Animal Farm

• The "Sugar Candy Mountain" is a mythical place described by Moses, the tame raven, in George Orwell's allegorical novel Animal Farm.
• It is presented as a glorious, ethereal land beyond the clouds, where animals go after they die. Moses describes it as a place where it is always Sunday, clover is always in season, and sugar lumps and linseed cake grow on hedges.

• Symbolic Meaning and Allegory:

  • Religious Allegory: Sugar Candy Mountain primarily represents heaven or the concept of an afterlife in religion. Moses, the raven, is often seen as a symbol of the Russian Orthodox Church, which traditionally preached promises of a better life after death.
  • Hope and Escapism: For the exploited and suffering animals, Sugar Candy Mountain serves as a powerful symbol of hope and an escape from their harsh realities. It provides a spiritual comfort that distracts them from their present hardships under the pigs' rule.
  • Tool of Control: Initially, the pigs, especially Napoleon, denounce Moses and his tales as 'lies' and 'nonsense' because they want the animals to focus on working for the farm (i.e., the state) rather than dreaming of an afterlife. However, as the pigs consolidate power and exploit the animals more severely, they subtly allow Moses to return and preach about Sugar Candy Mountain. This serves as a useful tool for maintaining control, as the promise of paradise dulls the animals' revolutionary spirit and encourages their continued labor.
  • Orwell's Critique: Orwell, a socialist, was critical of how religion could be used by oppressive regimes (like the Soviet Union, which Animal Farm allegorizes) to pacify the masses and divert their attention from earthly injustices. The notion of "pie in the sky" is often used to describe this kind of spiritual promise that postpones true change.

• Key Facts for Competitive Exams:

  • Author: George Orwell (pseudonym of Eric Arthur Blair).
  • Publication Year: 1945.
  • Genre: Allegorical novella, dystopian, political satire.
  • Historical Context: An allegory of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Stalinism.
  • Moses' Role: The only character not to undergo a significant change from the beginning to the end of the story, consistently preaching about Sugar Candy Mountain. He is permitted by the pigs to stay on the farm and is even given a daily ration of beer in the later stages, highlighting his utility to the ruling elite.