“We pigs are the brain-workers. The whole
management and organization of the farm
depends on us”
After hearing this, the animals understood that they were there to do the hard work, but they thought that was because they couldn’t run the farm as well as the pigs. They did not mind lying to the animals and not doing any work while the other animals are.
Napoleon knew that there was a chance that the animals might rebel against him so when 9 puppies were born on the farm he took them to train as his bodyguards.
“As soon as they were weaned, Napoleon took
them away from their mothers…”
After the animals knew what he was doing, even if they did disagree with what he was doing could not do anything about it even if the wanted to either because they were not strong enough or that they were to scared. So this meant that Napoleon could do whatever he wanted to, just like a dictator.
The only animal threatening Napoleon’s place in power was Snowball, so Napoleon knew that he must get rid of him, so he sent his nine bodyguards to scare him away.
“They dashed straight for Snowball, who only
sprang from his place just in time to escape
their snapping jaws.”
This shows how ruthless dictators are and how they will let nothing get in their way. This also showed the animals that they should not get on the wrong side of Napoleon.
When Napoleon started to rule the farm he set up seven commandments for all animals to abide by. No animal dared to break one of them, but then Napoleon could not even keep to them. He started to break them. For example.
“No animals shall sleep in a bed”
This was the fourth commandment and as Napoleon started to sleep in a bed he wrote at the end of this commandment “with sheets” so the animals could not argue with him. When the animals read this they did not remember the last two words but Napoleon made it seem that it had always been there and made it look as if the animals were stupid and had no memory. Napoleon did not seem to mind that he was lying to his followers. He seemed to like the fact that they would believe anything he says.
Boxer was a loyal follower for Napoleon but when Napoleon knew that Boxer was no more use to him he discarded him in a way that made all the animals horrified.
“They are taking Boxer to the knacker’s!”
What made the animals more amazed was that Napoleon didn’t seem to mind that he was sending his best worker to die a painful death. What astounded them more was that Napoleon was making money out of this. Napoleon denied all of this and said that Boxer was taken to a hospital and died peacefully, many animals did not seem totally convinced.
Boxer is an excellent follower for Napoleon as he believes what he is told and would do anything to help an animal. Boxer had two slogans, one of these is:
“I will work harder.”
This slogan shows how much work Boxer did for the farm and how he wanted to do everything to his best ability. Boxer wants to work harder to help the animals and take some of the work load off them
Boxer put a lot of work into the windmill, and even when the windmill fell down he never lost hope or got discouraged. He was always up early to work because he wanted to help out the other animals, and please Napoleon.
“…made arrangements with the cockerel
to call him three-quarters of an hour earlier in
the morning…”
This illustrates Boxer’s determination and his will to do good. He wants to help the animals at any sacrifice, even himself.
When fighting the humans, Boxer was brave and fought well. The animals admired him and he was given a medal. The animals created a military declaration for him:
“Animal Hero, First Class”
Boxer was pleased that the animals were glad with what he had done for them and this made him work harder for them because all he wanted was to make the animals happy.
Boxer is a very gullible character and believes anything he is told. He puts his trust into his fellow animals, especially Napoleon. Boxer thinks that everything that Napoleon says is true, which is definitely not correct.
“Napoleon is always right.”
This is another of Boxer’s slogans and tells us how Boxer trusts Napoleon and does not think that Napoleon can do any wrong or tell a lie.
Boxer likes being useful and being told what to do and doesn’t seem to like the limelight. He does his best to please the animals but does not do it publicly.
“Boxer refused to take a day off work, and made
it a point of honour not to let it be seen that he
was in pain.”
This shows that Boxer does not want to make a fuss of his injury and try to help the animals out by him working. He did this because he would not feel useful if he were lying in the barn doing nothing.
Boxer and Napoleon are two very different characters; they are not similar in any way. Boxer cares about the animals and would do anything for them and Napoleon only seems to care about himself and thinks of the animals as slaves. The animals on the farm seem to respect Boxer very highly but they are terrified of Napoleon and his bodyguards. The animals, because of their respect for Boxer, would do anything for him out of their own good will, but the only reason that they might do anything for Napoleon is because they know if they don’t, Napoleon will do something to them, or maybe not give them any food. Although for Boxer this is not true because he is a gullible character and trusts Napoleon with his life and would do anything for him. Napoleon would definitely not do any thing for Boxer, which is shown by the way that Napoleon kills Boxer. Napoleon wants all the animals to do what he wants them to do, because he likes being in control. Boxer on the other hand likes to be told what to do and doesn’t seem to like being in the limelight. All featured of Napoleon’s personality are very similar to dictators. A couple of these are, lazy, ruthless, lying to followers and doing things to suit only them (changing laws). Boxer on the other hand represents an extremely generous person (the kind of follower that all dictators dream of) and always thinks of others before himself.
