“I will work harder.”
These words define Boxer, the devoted cart-horse whose loyalty becomes his downfall in George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
Representing the exploited working class within Orwell’s sharp allegory, Boxer embodies strength and unwavering dedication. His steadfast belief in the revolution and its leader, Napoleon, coupled with his conviction that effort conquers all, sets the stage for his heartbreaking fate.
We’ve collected 20 quotes with page numbers, illustrating Boxer’s character through his mottos, actions, moments of compassion, and eventual betrayal.
Organized by his traits, these selections reveal Orwell’s critique of blind obedience and the exploitation of the faithful.
Heads up! Page numbers reference the Signet edition noted below.
Boxer’s Strength, Loyalty & Work Ethic
Boxer’s physical power and unwavering dedication are legendary on the farm. His loyalty, initially to the revolution’s ideals and later transferred unquestioningly to Napoleon, defines his character and makes him indispensable, yet vulnerable.
“Boxer was an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together… he was universally respected for his steadiness of character and tremendous powers of work.”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer, Chapter 1, Page 5)
Orwell introduces Boxer, emphasizing his physical prowess and dependable nature, qualities that earn respect but are later exploited by the pigs.
“Their most faithful disciples were the two cart-horses, Boxer and Clover. These two had great difficulty in thinking anything out for themselves, but having once accepted the pigs as their teachers, they absorbed everything that they were told…”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer and Clover, Chapter 2, Page 18)
This passage reveals Boxer’s key vulnerability: his limited capacity for independent thought makes him entirely reliant on the pigs’ direction, accepting their authority uncritically.
” When Boxer heard this he fetched the small straw hat which he wore in summer to keep the flies out of his ears, and flung it on to the fire with the rest.”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer, Chapter 2, Page 21)
Boxer’s prompt action demonstrates his initial, sincere commitment to the revolution’s principles, readily discarding comfort deemed counter-revolutionary.
“Boxer was the admiration of everybody. He had been a hard worker even in Jones’s time, but now he seemed more like three horses than one…”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer, Chapter 3, Page 29)
The revolution initially galvanizes Boxer, inspiring him to exceed his already formidable work ethic out of a genuine belief in the collective cause.
“His answer to every problem, every setback was “I will work harder!” —which he had adopted as his personal motto.”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer, Chapter 3, Page 29)
This first motto reveals Boxer’s simple, admirable, yet flawed approach: believing individual exertion can overcome any obstacle, ignoring potential systemic issues.
“…the pigs with their cleverness and Boxer with his tremendous muscles always pulled them through.”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer, Chapter 3, Page 29)
This early dynamic establishes the farm’s reliance on Boxer’s physical power, guided by the pigs’ intellect, setting the stage for exploitation.
“If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right.”
(Speaker: Boxer’s maxim, Chapter 5, Page 56)
Boxer’s adoption of this second maxim marks a critical shift, indicating his surrender of personal judgment in favor of absolute faith in Napoleon’s authority. See the leader Boxer blindly follows: analyze Napoleon’s rise to power.
“His two slogans, “I will work harder” and “Napoleon is always right,” seemed to him a sufficient answer to all problems.”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer, Chapter 6, Page 61)
These combined mottos tragically define Boxer’s character: boundless diligence with unquestioning obedience, the ideal traits for an exploited subject.
” Nothing could have been achieved without Boxer, whose strength seemed equal to that of all the rest of the animals put together.”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer, Chapter 6, Page 61)
The narrator underscores Boxer’s indispensable role in the farm’s physical achievements, particularly the windmill, highlighting the immense value extracted from his labor.
Boxer’s immense strength and unwavering loyalty form the backbone of Animal Farm’s labor force, yet these same qualities make him vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation.
Boxer’s Compassion & Fleeting Doubts
Despite his limited intellect and fierce loyalty to the regime, Boxer possesses deep compassion and occasionally experiences moments of unease or questioning, particularly when faced with violence or blatant contradictions.
“The two cart-horses, Boxer and Clover, came in together, walking very slowly and setting down their vast hairy hoofs with great care lest there should be some small animal concealed in the straw.”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer and Clover, Chapter 1, Page 5)
This early description establishes Boxer’s inherent gentleness and awareness of his strength, providing a poignant contrast to the farm’s later brutality.
“He is dead,” said Boxer sorrowfully. “I had no intention of doing that… Who will believe that I did not do this on purpose?”
(Speaker: Boxer, Chapter 4, Page 43)
Boxer’s immediate remorse after accidentally stunning the stable lad reveals his deep aversion to causing harm, even to a human enemy.
“I have no wish to take life, not even human life,” repeated Boxer, and his eyes were full of tears.”
(Speaker: Boxer, Chapter 4, Page 43)
His emotional repetition emphasizes his fundamental compassion, contrasting sharply with the calculated ruthlessness developing within the pig leadership.
“Even Boxer was vaguely troubled. He set his ears back, shook his forelock several times, and tried hard to marshal his thoughts; but in the end he could not think of anything to say.”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer, Chapter 5, Page 54)
Following Napoleon’s cancellation of the Meetings, Boxer senses something is amiss, but his inability to articulate his doubts prevents him from voicing effective opposition.
“I do not believe that Snowball was a traitor at the beginning,” he said finally. “What he has done since is different. But I believe that at the Battle of the Cowshed he was a good comrade.”
(Speaker: Boxer, Chapter 7, Page 81)
Facing intense propaganda, Boxer briefly relies on his memory and inherent sense of fairness, showing a flicker of resistance against the regime’s rewriting of history.
“Ah, that is different!” said Boxer. “If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right.”
(Speaker: Boxer, Chapter 7, Page 82)
However, Boxer’s loyalty maxim quickly overrides his reservations when Squealer invokes Napoleon’s definitive stance, showcasing his tragic deference to authority.
“To the amazement of everybody, three of them [Napoleon’s dogs] flung themselves upon Boxer… Boxer looked at Napoleon to know whether he should crush the dog to death or let it go.”
(Speaker: Narrator about Boxer, Chapter 7, Page 83)
Even when attacked by Napoleon’s guard dogs, Boxer’s immediate reaction after defending himself is to seek Napoleon’s command, unable to act against the established power structure.
Though fundamentally decent and capable of brief moments of doubt, Boxer’s limited intellect and overriding loyalty prevent him from effectively challenging the regime that exploits him.
Boxer’s Tragic Fate & Betrayal
Despite his indispensable contributions and unwavering loyalty, Boxer is callously discarded by the pigs once his physical strength wanes, symbolizing the regime’s ultimate betrayal of the working class he represents.
“You, Boxer, the very day that those great muscles of yours lose their power, Jones will sell you to the knacker…”
(Speaker: Old Major about Boxer, Chapter 1, Page 8)
Old Major’s initial warning is a grim foreshadowing, highlighting the bitter irony that Boxer meets the same end under the pigs as he would have under Jones.
“It is my lung,” said Boxer in a weak voice. “It does not matter. I think you will be able to finish the windmill without me.”
(Speaker: Boxer, Chapter 9, Page 121)
Even at the point of physical collapse brought on by overwork, Boxer’s thoughts remain on the collective project, demonstrating his selfless devotion until the end.
“Fools! Fools!” shouted Benjamin… “Do you not see what is written on the side of that van?… They are taking Boxer to the knacker’s!”
(Speaker: Benjamin about Boxer, Chapter 9, Page 122)
Benjamin’s desperate cry exposes the pigs’ horrifying betrayal, revealing that Boxer’s loyalty and hard work are rewarded with slaughter, not retirement.
“‘Forward, comrades!’ he whispered. ‘Forward in the name of the Rebellion. Long live Animal Farm! Long live Comrade Napoleon! Napoleon is always right.’ Those were his very last words, comrades.”
(Speaker: Squealer reporting Boxer’s alleged last words, Chapter 9, Page 125)
Squealer’s fabricated account of Boxer’s death represents the regime’s final act of exploitation, twisting his memory into propaganda that reinforces the very system that destroyed him.
Boxer’s end is the ultimate symbol of the revolution betrayed, highlighting the pigs’ ruthless exploitation and disposal of their most devoted followers.
Conclusion: The Exploited Proletariat
Boxer is the tragic embodiment of the dedicated working class within Orwell’s Animal Farm. His immense strength, tireless labor, and unquestioning loyalty are the foundation of the farm’s existence.
Yet, these same virtues become his fatal flaws under the manipulative rule of the pigs, who exploit his belief in hard work and his deference to authority.
Through Boxer’s simple mottos and heartbreaking end, Orwell critiques the dangers of blind faith and the ways totalitarian regimes exploit the labor and loyalty of the masses. Boxer’s fate is a powerful warning about the need for critical thought alongside dedication, lest loyalty be rewarded with betrayal.
Explore All Animal Farm Analysis
A Note on Page Numbers & Edition:
Like Boxer straining against the boulder, finding the exact page number can be a struggle across different editions! These 22 page numbers reference the widely used Signet 50th Anniversary paperback edition (April 6, 2004), ISBN-13: 978-0451526342. Always double-check George Orwell’s Animal Farm against your specific copy when citing for academic work—ensure your evidence is as strong as Boxer himself.
Jeremy Mortis, founder of Ageless Investing, applies a rigorous analytical approach (the AAM framework) to distill timeless wisdom and contextualized quotes from classic literature, saving you time while deepening understanding. Learn more about Jeremy’s unique background and methodology on his author bio page.