Sunday, June 23, 2013

In Animal Farm, how does the non-human character of Boxer reveal some aspect of human nature?

Boxer's animalistic ability to work reflects a human
characteristic of loyalty.  Simply put, Boxer's strength is purely animal.  It is one
where it is singular in focus, driven by the need to work and work for the benefit of
the farm.  Boxer is not conscious of the work he does in terms of seeking benefit from
it or desiring an exterior end from it.  Rather, he understands work as his purpose and
to this end he does it with an intense fervor.  Orwell makes it clear that this
attribute of his is something that is animal in design, as there is no human sensibility
in this.  Such a non- human trait reflects an aspect of human nature in its blind
loyalty.  Boxer's loyalty is what makes him so recognizable to humans.  His intense work
ethic, such as asking the rooster to crow earlier so that he can work, or his mantras
such as "Napoleon is always right" or " I will work harder" is reflective of his human
character through non- human traits.  It is here where we see a human construct
demonstrated through non- human form.

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