Essay Sample on How is Boxer Presented in Animal Farm?

Boxer is an allegory for the peasant working-class people of Russia during the Russian Revolution. His character explores how Russian authorities were able to exploit and manipulate the working-class using methods of coercive control. Napoleon is the allegory for Joseph Stalin, the general secretary of the Communist Party, who used his position of power to deceptively exploit the people of his country. While the population of Russia became subject to relentless, strenuous work during times of famine that induced them to ravenousness, Stalin and other affluent people in power were unaffected by food shortages and maintained their opulent, extravagant lifestyles.

Animal Farm by George Orwell approaches the true story of the Russian Revolution by substituting the protagonists and antagonists as animals. Boxer's role as a representation of the proletariat people encourages the reader to sympathize with this marginalized group despite the story portraying all characters as animals. 

Boxer's presentation dramatically changes throughout the book - during the beginning, Boxer is a courageous, heroic cart-horse with a reputation as the farm's warrior and protector. Whereas, towards the end of the book, Boxer is weak and mild.

Orwell conveys these oxymoronic ideas in these quotes; 'an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together,' compared to, 'It is my lung,' said Boxer in a weak voice.' 

These two quotes show Boxer's vast deterioration throughout the book. In the first quote, Boxer is strong and healthy. Although, in the second quote, Boxer's voice is weak in addition to experiencing an issue with his lung. Boxer is an unintelligent, naive, and loveable character; are his health struggles linked to his character flaws? 

Orwell uses juxtaposition to contrast Boxer's health and character from the beginning of the book to the end - showing his sufferable gradual decline in health. 

Boxer's unintelligence disables him from seeing that Napoleon is exploiting the animals. Napoleon's dictatorship means that the animals are obliged to follow his orders - regardless of how unjust these rules are. Due to their unintelligence, the animals fail to see that Napoleon is no better than Jones; their situation has not improved. 

Evidence to support Boxer's unintelligence is 'Napoleon is always right.' This statement is repeated constantly by Boxer, regardless of whether what Napoleon says is right. Due to his unwavering loyalty to Napoleon, Boxer obeys Napoleon's commandments to work - and eventually overworks himself, damaging his health.

Boxer's infamous line, 'Napoleon is always right.' is evidence to support Boxer's unintelligence and also his naivety.