Boxer
and the Danger of the Uninformed Working Class
INTRODUCTION
Our topic concerns the character of Boxer, and how he represents the uninformed working class. We also discuss what the uninformed working class is, what its role is in communism, and its pros and cons.
QUOTES
- "Boxer was an enormous beast, nearly eighteen hands high, and as strong as any two ordinary horses put together" (2).
- "Boxer, who had now had time to think things over, voiced the general feeling by saying: "If Comrade Napoleon says it, it must be right." And from the on he adopted the maxim, "Napoleon is always right," in addition to his private motto of "I will work harder" (40).
- "He is dead," said Boxer sorrowfully. "I had no intention of doing that... I have no wish to take life, not even human life, repeated Boxer, and his eyes were full of tears" (31).
- "Nevertheless, some of the animals were disturbed when they heard that the pigs not only took their meals in the kitchen and used the drawing-room as a recreation room, but also slept in the beds. Boxer passed it off as usual with "Napoleon is always right!" (48).
- "He had made an arrangement with one of the cockerels to call him in the mornings half and hour earlier than anybody else, and would put in some volunteer labour at whatever seemed to be most needed, before the regular day's work began" (21).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How does the uninformed working class overcome their entrenchment?
- How was Boxer's life different between Jones' rule and Napoleon's rule?
- How does the role of the uninformed working class vary in capitalism and communism?
- How can being part of the uninformed working class be seen as ignorant or as faithful?
- What would Boxer do if Napoleon was overthrown, restoring capitalism and democracy?