What imagery is present in Old Major's song about Utopia and is this imagery effective in persuading Old Major's audience? Explain why.

In the first chapter of Animal Farm, Old Major gathers the animals in the barn and gives a rousing speech on equality and the tyranny of man. As part of this speech, he teaches the animals a song called "The Beasts of England" which is immediately popular with his listeners because of a number of strong and provocative images.

Firstly, the song has a strong image of a "golden future time;" a future in which man has been replaced as the ruler of the world. Instead, animals from all parts of the country, including Ireland, are united and free to roam the land. This image of a "golden" era is reinforced by words like "fruitful" and "riches" which emphasise the abundance of produce available to the animals, once Man has been overthrown. This imagery works so well because it is reminiscent of the animal's heaven, a place called Sugarcandy Mountain, which is first mentioned in Chapter Two. 

Secondly, this song uses images of cruelty which are contrasted against ideals of freedom. This is best expressed in the third verse of the song which talks of the removal of rings from the animal's noses and the end of cracking whips. Given the circumstances of life under Mr Jones, the animals recognise and identify with these powerful images of animal cruelty, as soon as they hear the words. In the minds of the animals, then, this image comes to represent their plight and is effective because it gives them hope that Mr. Jones' rule will soon come to an end.