The historical circumstance that most likely influenced the writing of this passage from chapter 7 of Animal Farm is the tyranny during Stalin's dictatorship, in which he distorted the tenets of communism. This can be inferred from the themes of oppression, betrayal, and disillusionment depicted in the passage.
1. The passage reflects the disillusionment of the animals, particularly Clover, who had initially hoped for a society where all animals would be equal and free from oppression. However, they now find themselves living in fear and witnessing brutal acts of violence, which mirrors the oppressive regime under Stalin's dictatorship.
2. The mention of scenes of terror, slaughter, and animals being torn to pieces after confessing to crimes alludes to the atmosphere of fear and control characteristic of Stalin's reign, where dissent was met with severe punishment and purges were common.
3. The distorted reality described in the passage, where the initial vision of a utopian society has been replaced by a dystopian nightmare, parallels the way in which Stalin's regime deviated from the ideals of communism, leading to a totalitarian regime marked by censorship, fear, and brutality.
4. Therefore, the passage reflects the disillusionment and betrayal experienced by those who had originally aspired for a better society but found themselves trapped in a system of oppression and injustice, akin to the historical circumstances during Stalin's dictatorship.
