Boxer's confusion

Since the Rebellion, Boxer's devotion to the pigs had been absolute. He absorbed every teaching of Animalism, attended every meeting, and led the singing of Beasts of England. His mottoes, "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right," reflected his complete trust in the leadership. He was the strongest and most reliable worker on the farm, and the other animals looked up to him.

When Squealer announced that Snowball had been Jones's secret agent from the start, and that his bravery at the Battle of the Cowshed was part of a plot, Boxer was deeply troubled. He remembered vividly how Snowball had led the charge, how he had been wounded, and how he had been awarded the medal. He lay down, tucked his fore hoofs, and with great effort said, "I do not believe that. Snowball fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. I saw him myself." He later added that while Snowball's later actions might be different, at the battle he had been a good comrade.

During the executions of the four pigs and others, three of Napoleon's dogs suddenly attacked Boxer. He caught one in mid-air and pinned it to the ground, then looked to Napoleon for instructions. Napoleon ordered him to release the dog, and Boxer obeyed. This moment showed that even in a crisis, his instinct was to defer to the leader.

After the slaughter, while the other animals crept away in shock, Boxer remained on his feet, fidgeting and whinnying in surprise. He said, "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." He then went to the quarry and dragged two loads of stone, working alone until night. His confusion was never resolved by understanding; he simply committed himself to harder work and renewed faith in Napoleon.