Essay Questions

What other allegory uses animals when discussing serious social matters?

Another allegory we can mention is the novel Animal Farm written by George Orwell. While the short story Terrible Things criticized the events that happened during the Second World War, in Animal Farm the author criticized the communist regime and the hypocrisy that was common among the ruling class. Through both of the stories, the authors wanted to transmit the idea that while sometimes we may be tempted to turn a blind eye and ignore the horrible events that happen around us, in the end it will end up not benefiting us but rather working against us.

Why did the animals decide to remain in the clearing despite the danger they were in and what connection can be made with the real facts in history?

The rabbits at the end of the story decided to remain in the clearing despite knowing and witnessing their friends being abducted and taken by the Terrible Things. The only creature who seems to want to leave the clearing is Little Rabbit who asks the Big Rabbit why they have chosen to remain in the clearing. The Big Rabbit answered by saying that they were in no danger because they were Rabbits and that nothing bad could possible happen to them. The rabbits in the clearing could symbolize the German population that was not against the government’s actions but were not supportive either. Through their actions, they refused to support the hate the Government manifested towards the Jews and other minorities but at the same time they tried to remain impartial. Those people believed that because they were German, they would be safe. This proved to be false as towards the end of the war the government began imprisoning and exterminating everyone who they considered as being a threat, not caring about their nationality or the fact that they were Germans.

Why the only animals that tried to run away were the rabbits at the end and what group of people do the rabbits symbolize?

The rabbits in the clearing are described as being white ones and when the Terrible Things come into the clearing one last time, they claim they are looking for every creature with white fur. The color white is usually used to suggest the idea that a person or a group is pure, untainted. The only reason why the rabbits were the last ones to be taken was because for a long time, they were considered as being pure by the Terrible Things. Thus, the rabbits could symbolize here the German population who was either against the regime or who tried to remain neutral during the war. Unfortunately, just because they were German was not enough to be kept safe from the Terrible Things and many perished because they were perceived as being a threat by the government.