Boxer lives his life in patient and unquestioning service. How far is this statement true? Throw light on Boxer’s character.

Boxer, a cart-horse is an enormous beast/ nearly eighteen hands in height/ as strong as two horses put together/ universally respected for his steadiness of character/ not of first rate intelligence/ cannot get beyond the letter D/ has tremendous power to work.

The physical success of Animal Farm really rests on Boxer’s strength and persistence. His strength seemed equal to all the other animals put together. He is known for his robust and raw power. Working hard seems to be his only obsession. He never fails to attend any meeting. After the Rebellion, Boxer is admired by everybody. He works for the community. He pulls through the tremendous work of treading out corn with his astonishing muscle power. On certain days the entire work of the farm seems to rest on his mighty shoulders. From morning till night he pushes and pulls, always at the spot where the work is the hardest. He makes an arrangement with a cockerel to call him in the mornings half an hour earlier than anyone else. He has only two rules: “Napoleon is always right” and “I will work harder”. In the Battle of the Cowshed, Boxer rears up on his ‘hind legs and strikes out with his great iron’. His sorrow at the boy who lies face down in the mud provides a strong contrast to Napoleon’s cruelty later.

Boxer is brave enough to challenge the pigs but is outsmarted by Squealer, leaving his faith in Napoleon undisturbed. He is the most faithful disciple of Animalism. Despite his split hoof, Boxer

refuses to take even a day off from work. The only ambition left in him is to see the windmill well

under way before he reaches the age for retirement. He is the backbone of the farm. He is not

discouraged by the destruction of the windmill on two occasions. Finally, his illness, caused by overwork, gives the pigs their chance for revenge. He sacrificed his life for his comrades.