Orwell introduces us to ‘Squealer’, in the start of the book, to be precise, the beginning of chapter two. Orwell describes ‘Squealer’ as ‘a small fat pig… with very round cheeks...’ , the reader gets the image of a typical pig, but this is typical opinion will later be changed, as Orwell adds more detail, beginning in the next line up to chapter ten. ‘When he was arguing some difficult point he had a way of skipping from side to side and whisking his tail which was somehow very persuasive.’ Orwell immediately tells us that ‘Squealer’ is argumentative and the kind of pig, no one wants to get involved with. Also, the reader immediately gathers from the word ‘persuasive’, that he always wins the argument, due to his special way of physicality. As ‘Squealer; is closely correlated with the ‘Pravda’ by his cunning and intellectual ways which subsequently persuade the people of the farm (or of Russia) and ‘Squealer’ does as the ‘Pravda’ did, he distorts the fact a little to his own advantage, in order for everything to sound like it is in favour of the animals (or the people of Russia).
Orwell introduces us to character of ‘Boxer’ also in chapter two. ‘Their most faithful disciples were the two cart horses, Boxer and Clover.’ From just the word ‘Most’, the reader immediately finds out that there are suggested hierarchy levels, by Orwell, telling us immediately that the animals are not all equal, as are first made out to be. Furthermore, the word ‘most’ is a superlative. In addition, from the words ‘faithful disciples’ , it gathers an assumption amongst the reader, that animalism, is somewhat like a religion, that has disciples, that are faithful towards, their faith. Furthermore, in order to have disciples you need to have a leader which brings up additional arousing suspicion; that in order to have a leader, the animals must not all be equal, therefore, their ‘commandments’ were somewhat pointless. Boxer plays an important role in ‘Animal Farm’, his constant obeying of Napoleon, yet not listening to common sense, kept him working harder and harder with personal mottos such as ‘ Napoleon is always right’ and ‘I will work harder’, these phrases show his sheer dedication and loyalty, and his constant belief in the evil power around him. As things begin to become strange on the farm, Boxer experiences a vague sense of worry. Yet he’s not intelligent enough to understand exactly what is going on, and in place of thinking for himself, he resolves to remain stubbornly loyal to the cause of ‘Animal Farm’. As ‘Boxer’ is closely correlated with the ‘Russian proletariat’, the powerful but often simple-minded working class. At times, the reader can't help but wonder just how much Orwell holds the ‘proletariat’ responsible for what happened in Russia. It was, after all, their strength that allowed the Russian Revolution to take place in 1917. Through characters like ‘Boxer’ and ‘Clover’, it becomes clear that the narrator has little respect for the average working man’s intelligence and regards him as a pawn of the Soviet regime. After all, as admirable and good-spirited a character as Boxer is, without his stupidity and strength, the pigs could never have come to power.
Orwell wants readers to learn about the Characters he has created. ‘Squealer’ for example, represents the ‘Pravda’ and by the end of the Russian Revolution, the ‘Pravda’ has manipulated every story, to make the people of Russia, believe that what they are doing is good, when in fact it is bad. It is the same in ‘Animal Farm’, for example ‘Milk and apples contain substances absolutely necessary to the wellbeing of a pig. We pigs are brain-workers.’ From these words, the reader immediately knows that ‘Squealer’ is lying and doing this only for himself, and by saying ‘wellbeing’ he is suggesting that without the milk and apples, the pigs will be ill, making the animals feel guilty and sympathizing in the pigs ‘unfortunate’ situation. Furthermore, as ‘Squealer’ says ‘Brain- workers’ he is essentially putting down every other animal on the farm , by saying that the pigs are the clever ones, the only ones that ever use their brains, and without them , they will now survive, when actually it is the complete opposite, and life would be much more enjoyed for the animals without the pigs. He wants the readers to learn how selfish the pigs (‘Squealer’) was, and how they manipulated each and every animal and lied to them, changed every rule, so that they could live the best life, they created levels of hierarchy, and destroyed the pigs minds, as well as betraying their own fellow animal, which broke one of the very rules that they made. Orwell wanted the reader to see how much the ‘Pravda’ influenced the people into believing the leaders.
‘Boxer’ and ‘Squealer’ both had very major roles, which you could say were both complete opposites. ‘Squealer’ for one betrayed every animal on the farm, and little did he know he was also doing the dirty work of the pigs for them. ‘Boxer’ was a huge influence on all the other animals, and his dedication, determination and stupidity determined the success of the pigs(of Stalin) If only animals such as ‘Benjamin’ stood up and said something, the revolution would have never happened, but ‘Benjamin’, representing skeptical people in Russia, chose to ignore everything that was happening around him, and let the horrors and suffering continue.