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- Loyal
- Idealist
- Powerful
- Respected
- Strong
- Influencer
- Dedicated
- Ignorant
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- Boxer is an example of the ultimate hard work and commitment of the working classes.
- He also serves as a reminder of the importance of education as opposed to physical strength, as he is vulnerable to manipulation due to his lack of intelligence.
- Boxer's influence over the other animals is key. His blind loyalty to Napoleon is almost mirrored by the animals' blind following of him. He could be seen as a facilitator of tyranny - it was so easy for Napoleon to achieve his totalitarian rule as a result of Boxer's commitment.
- He is seen as the only real threat to Napoleon's rule. When the dogs attack him following his questioning of Squealer's propaganda, he easily fends them off showing that the pigs have no real match to his strength. However, his stupidity is again exposed as somehow he is still convinced to follow the orders from above.
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- Boxer is seen as a protector of the weak at the beginning of the novella as he is seen providing refuge to the lost ducklings as the animals meet to hear Old Major's vision.
- He is seen as loyal and dedicated in his belief in the values of 'Animalism', with the other animals following his lead due to the respect he holds.
- His physical power is shown frequently, like at the battle of the Cowshed where he is described as terrifying as he rears up.
- As multiple disasters strike the windmill, Boxer always responds with 'I will work harder', truly believing that his hard work will be repaid in retirement.
- He occasionally challenges the leadership of the pigs when he feels that things are not in keeping with the values of 'Animalism', but is undermined by his own maxims - unable to break his own logic: 'Napoleon is always right'.
- They way that the other animals idolise Boxer means that his blind loyalty only helps ensure that all the animals are able to be manipulated and oppressed.
- Boxer's demise is the ultimate betrayal on the novella. It shows the ruthless and callous nature of tyranny. The other animals' lack of education has made them too ignorant to understand the reality of the situation. Particularly Boxer's best friend, Benjamin, who is almost seen as complicit in Boxer's tragic end due to his apathy throughout the early stages of the text.
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- Boxer serves as an allegory for the Russian working-class who helped to oust Tsar Nicholas and establish the Soviet Union, but were eventually betrayed by the Stalinists.
- "He is dead," said Boxer sorrowfully. "I had no intention of doing that. I forgot that I was wearing iron shoes. Who will believe that I did not do this on purpose?"
- "I do not understand it. I would not have believed that such things could happen on our farm. It must be due to some fault in ourselves. The solution, as I see it, is to work harder. From now onwards I shall get up a full hour earlier in the mornings."
- "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."
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