Describe the characters of Boxer and Napoleon and discuss the significance to the novel as a whole.

George Orwell’s famous novel ‘Animal Farm’ is a genius allegory story. It tells about animals which drive out their owner Mr. Jones and establish their rules a farm which aim is liberty and equality of all creatures except people. However, it is also a parable story( that is because animals have human’s characters) about Russian Revolution and USSR.
In this essay will be described characters of two main heroes of these book : Boxer and Napoleon and will be also discussed their significance to the novel as a whole.
Boxer is a horse with great strength, but unfortunately limited intelligence. His life philosophy is simple, based on the dignity of labour. The best express it his motto: ‘I will work harder’. Because of that, and because of his crucial importance to the farm he is exploited by whoever runs the farm. Boxer is also immensely devoted to the revolution. Even when he is sold to death, he do not realize that its ideas were corrupted. Regardless of his good personality, pigs regime had on him bad influence. Its not only wreck his wealth but also destroy his attitude towards hurting others. At first he take it to heart very much- e.g. when he injures stable-boy, but when Napoleon’s dogs attacked him he seems to be turned into brute animal, unable to thinking for himself.
Napoleon, on the other side, is a pig with ambitions. Already his name could suggest us his drive toward dictatorship. Generally speaking story chronicles his rise to become absolute ruler of Animal Farm. He begins by taking control of the food supply and distribution. Next he creates his own personal police force and bodyguard from young puppies who he indoctrinate from their births. With Squealer, another pig, as his ‘minister of propaganda’, he effectively silences all opposition and achieves supreme power. Napoleon is an opportunist. He is also brutal, determined and greedy, is easy to him sacrifice everyone and everything to get this what he want, which make up from him ‘ideal’ dictator.
Significance of Boxer on a level of a fable lie in his devote, obedience, naivety what makes him simple example of that, that ceaseless hard work can have a dulling effect on mind and spirit. Another thing is that Animal Farm couldn’t exist without him- it is him, who make that it could emerge and survive. Boxer’s experiences under the pigs regime show also what can happen when actions of those in power are accepted unquestioningly.
In a level of allegory this strong, but naïve horse represents the ordinary workers, decent, honest, who are essential to the success of any social system, but who are always underestimate. Whereas under totalitarian regime they are inevitable exploited.
Napoleon’s significance on the novel is very clear, because as we now story is focused on his rise to power. His character gradually changes for the worse as his control over the other animals increases. Finally the story is circle. For the animals is a little difference between old master human and new – pig Napoleon. Especially when ‘it was impossible to say which was which’.
In allegory Napoleon is a substitute of Stalin, the tyrannical ruler of USSR after 1924. In many ways Animal Farm mirrors events in Russia during and after the 1917 revolution. For example. Battle of Cowshed is interpret as a Civil War during which, Snowball/Trotsky proves his military skills and because of that he incurs jealousy and hate of Napoleon/Stalin. While windmill mirror Five-year Plan- cause of fight Napoleon/Stalin with his foe. Hence, later Snowball/Trotsky is expulsion, and become a fabulous enemy, while his opponent gain absolute power.
In conclusion, can be said that Boxer and Napoleon are crucial heroes of Orwell’s novel. They are totally different, but the first is indispensable in order to rise of the second. Ordinary animals are slavers of work, as they were. Old Major dream has turned into a nightmare. History circled.