Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-5-boxer

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# Boxer

English Lit: AQA GCSE Animal Farm, topic 2.1.5

## Boxer

_Animal Farm_ is an allegory; all of the events and characters symbolise 20th century historical and political events.

### 5 key words

![5 key words](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/675ff38f-07a1-40ac-aa2c-6e8077b88020/shutterstock_446026099.jpg)

- Loyal.
- Respected.
- Unintelligent.
- Betrayed.
- Kind.

### Loyal worker

![Loyal worker](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/cbcbf869-3f31-493e-ad35-281bcafaa408/shutterstock_145754378.jpg)

- Boxer is a physically strong, loyal and dedicated worker. He works harder than any other animal and his character contrasts with the pigs, which are lazy, manipulative and hypocritical.
- Boxer is a dedicated and determined character, who only works harder when faced with a setback. However, Boxer is used and then betrayed by the pigs who he serves so faithfully.

### Uneducated and naïve

![Uneducated and naïve](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/9f5b1c74-35c7-4b08-8cf7-6d5f488726a8/shutterstock_789860770.jpg)

- Boxer is uneducated and this means that he is easily manipulated and deceived. He is too trusting and is completely devoted to the pigs.
- Boxer thinks he is being sent to the vet, when he has actually been sold to the knacker’s so that the pigs can buy whiskey. 
- Boxer is naïve and blindly loyal throughout the novel. His suffering is caused by the pigs and the regime that he works hard for. However, he never realises this. 
- His blind loyalty makes his betrayal seem even more striking and cruel. It is only when he is in the van that he appears to realise that he is not heading to the vets.

### Respected

![Respected](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/e2c0d7d4-6214-4e37-b680-935e6c51363b/shutterstock_89384824.jpg)

- Boxer is respected by the animals, especially for his ability to work. However, this loyalty is abused by the pigs.

### Strong, but compassionate

![Strong, but compassionate](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/74f706aa-e8fa-48b0-b2bf-49b4e61f4413/shutterstock_72071956.jpg)

- Boxer fights bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed and his compassion is seen when he is upset that he may have killed the stable-lad. Even though he is so strong, Boxer is a gentle and kind character.

### Context

![Context](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/3bc567bb-fce7-4e0b-82b5-ed6e9e0b06b9/shutterstock_98145860.jpg)

- Boxer and Clover represent the Russian working classes.
- The Russian working classes were unquestioning and uneducated. They worked in terrible conditions for no reward. 
- Boxer also represents the innocent people who were taken away from their homes and families to labour camps.

## Boxer - Key Quotes

Here are a few key quotes concerning Boxer's character:

### Betrayed

![Betrayed](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/d3af8677-1c77-4932-8dc2-fbe01632b234/shutterstock_721905631.jpg)

- __“They are taking Boxer to the knacker's!”__

### Kind

![Kind](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/ce5f7960-f2f3-4767-9bfd-299aa007ab2c/shutterstock_1037402506.jpg)

- __“I have no wish to take life, not even human life,' repeated Boxer, and his eyes were full of tears”__.

### Unintelligent

![Unintelligent](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/c1f4dfff-5469-4145-9d6a-9c84622feee6/shutterstock_621965732.jpg)

- __“Boxer could not get beyond the letter D”__.

### Dedicated worker

![Dedicated worker](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/44cad81f-91ab-4a4c-8215-344c758c9d5b/shutterstock_43826266.jpg)

- __“I will work harder!”__.

### Naïvely loyal

![Naïvely loyal](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/a11d43db-37a8-4b94-b029-4f8aa0d6c62a/shutterstock_1023246937.jpg)

- __“Comrade Napoleon is always right”__.

## Test yourself on Boxer

- What are 5 key words that describe Boxer's character?
- Which of the following is NOT a key word used to describe Boxer's character?
- What do Boxer and Clover represent?
- Which aspect of Boxer's character does the quote __“Boxer could not get beyond the letter D”__ concern?
- Which quotes concern Boxer's character?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/45bed650-4258-11e8-9c8e-b1f077ab1bf9/section/a4421470-430d-11e8-909e-27126e7f3829/session)

- Previous topic: [2.1.4 Squealer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-4-squealer.md)
- Next topic: [2.1.6 End of Topic Test - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-6-end-of-topic-test-key-characters.md)

## English Lit: AQA GCSE Animal Farm contents

### 1 Plot Summaries
- 1.1 Plot Summaries
  - [1.1.1 Chapters 1-2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/1-1-1-chapters-1-2.md)
  - [1.1.2 Chapters 3-4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/1-1-2-chapters-3-4.md)
  - [1.1.3 Chapters 5-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/1-1-3-chapters-5-6.md)
  - [1.1.4 Chapters 7-8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/1-1-4-chapters-7-8.md)
  - [1.1.5 Chapters 9-10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/1-1-5-chapters-9-10.md)
  - [1.1.6 Keywords](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/1-1-6-keywords.md)
  - [1.1.7 End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/1-1-7-end-of-topic-test-chapters-1-5.md)
  - [1.1.8 End of Topic Test - Chapters 6-10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/1-1-8-end-of-topic-test-chapters-6-10.md)

### 2 Characters & Their Links to History
- 2.1 Key Characters
  - [2.1.1 Old Major](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-1-old-major.md)
  - [2.1.2 Snowball](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-2-snowball.md)
  - [2.1.3 Napoleon](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-3-napoleon.md)
  - [2.1.4 Squealer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-4-squealer.md)
  - [2.1.5 Boxer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-5-boxer.md)
  - [2.1.6 End of Topic Test - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-6-end-of-topic-test-key-characters.md)
  - [2.1.7 AO2/3 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-7-ao23-key-characters.md)
  - [2.1.8 Exam-Style Questions - Boxer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-1-8-exam-style-questions-boxer.md)
- 2.2 Other Characters
  - [2.2.1 Mr Jones](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-1-mr-jones.md)
  - [2.2.2 Clover](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-2-clover.md)
  - [2.2.3 Hens](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-3-hens.md)
  - [2.2.4 Sheep](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-4-sheep.md)
  - [2.2.5 Mollie](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-5-mollie.md)
  - [2.2.6 Benjamin](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-6-benjamin.md)
  - [2.2.7 Moses](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-7-moses.md)
  - [2.2.8 Mr Frederick](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-8-mr-frederick.md)
  - [2.2.9 Pilkington](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-9-pilkington.md)
  - [2.2.10 Mr Whymper](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-10-mr-whymper.md)
  - [2.2.11 End of Topic Test - Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-11-end-of-topic-test-other-characters.md)
  - [2.2.12 End of Topic Test - Other Characters 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/2-2-12-end-of-topic-test-other-characters-2.md)

### 3 Key Themes & Orwell's Purpose
- 3.1 Key Themes
  - [3.1.1 Education](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/3-1-1-education.md)
  - [3.1.2 Power & Control](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/3-1-2-power-and-control.md)
  - [3.1.3 Power & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/3-1-3-power-and-language.md)
  - [3.1.4 Equality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/3-1-4-equality.md)
  - [3.1.5 End of Topic Test - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/3-1-5-end-of-topic-test-key-themes.md)

### 4 Language, Form & Structure
- 4.1 Language, Form & Structure
  - [4.1.1 Form & Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/4-1-1-form-and-structure.md)
  - [4.1.2 Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/4-1-2-language.md)
  - [4.1.3 Symbols](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/4-1-3-symbols.md)
  - [4.1.4 Narrator & Allegory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/4-1-4-narrator-and-allegory.md)

### 5 Recap: Main Quotes
- 5.1 Characters Quotes
  - [5.1.1 Old Major Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-1-old-major-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.2 Snowball Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-2-snowball-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.3 Napoleon Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-3-napoleon-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.4 Squealer Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-4-squealer-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.5 Boxer Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-5-boxer-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.6 Clover Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-6-clover-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.7 Moses & Mr Frederick Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-7-moses-and-mr-frederick-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.8 Benjamin Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-8-benjamin-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.9 Sheep Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-9-sheep-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.10 Hens Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-10-hens-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.11 Mollie Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-11-mollie-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.12 Pilkington & Mr Whymper Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-12-pilkington-and-mr-whymper-quotes.md)
  - [5.1.13 Mr Jones Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-1-13-mr-jones-quotes.md)
- 5.2 Text Structure Quotes
  - [5.2.1 Education Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-2-1-education-quotes.md)
  - [5.2.2 Power, Control & Language Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-2-2-power-control-and-language-quotes.md)
  - [5.2.3 Propaganda Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/animal-farm/5-2-3-propaganda-quotes.md)
