Compare and Contrast Boxer and Benjamin in Animal Farm
Compare and Contrast Boxer and Benjamin in Animal Farm
Introduction
In the book Animal Farm, animals tend to spend their laborious summer working such as harvesting in the fields. In this book, there are various animals that have similar characteristics as well as different ones. Most of these animals’ similarities and differences are seen as the harvesting process progressed. For instance, only the cat and Mollie shirk their duties and responsibilities. However, in the same farm there existed Benjamin and Boxer who were regarded as positive characters even though they had similarities and differences. In Animal Farm, Boxer who is also known as a workhorse is a very strong character who develops an intense working ethic. Moreover, Boxer is very loyal which even makes him not question the entire process. On the other hand, Benjamin who is also referred to as the cynical goat is the oldest animal on the entire animal farm (Hall et al 1993). Therefore, these contribute to the major differences and similarities that exist between the Boxer and Benjamin as revealed by their character traits, thoughts and even execution of their duties or responsibilities.
First, Boxer or the workhorse believes that things may improve if only he works harder. This implies that he is a hardworking animal in the farm and only operates with determination to accomplish the established goal. Despite the fact that Boxer is a hard working animal, he also believes that even if they put a lot of effort to improve or enhance their lives, no improvement will be achieved no matter the circumstances. However, Boxer works harder than any other animal on the farm to ensure everything goes on well without complaining. Additionally, Boxer seems to trust the pig leadership and thus has hopes of receiving massive support as well as benefiting from the leadership. He hopes that the pigs’ leadership will help him assume the change that he yawns for (Wooldridge, 2005).
On the other hand, Benjamin who is the oldest animal in the farm is considered as the worst tempered animal. In addition, Benjamin is also regarded as a weak and lazy character which makes him the opposite of Boxer in terms of his character and actions. Benjamin is displayed as an animal that does not trust any other party or anything in the farm apart from Boxer only. This implies that Benjamin only trusts himself and Boxer since he views other parties as betrayers. Therefore, Benjamin refuses to read and he does anything that will make him not work for the pigs. He comes up with excuses and ideas, which will enable him, escape work unnoticed by the pigs’ leadership. He believes that the pigs’ regime is only there to utilize their efforts and nothing more. This major cause even encourages Benjamin to be even lazier. Additionally, Benjamin believes that working hard for the pigs will not improve their lives. Therefore, he secretly rebel against working under the pig leadership since he clearly claims that there is no improvement or change on their lives (Wooldridge, 2005).
Boxer gives everything that he has in order to ensure that the farm realizations are attained. However, his hard work does not mean anything to the pig regime. Boxer works without complaining, he offers all his efforts to accomplish the farms objectives as well as being the trusting on the pig leadership for a change. This insinuates that Boxer is the hardest working animal in the farm something that should ensure he is treated well, acknowledged and even recognized by the pigs he is working for. Despite these efforts, the pigs do not recognize any of his efforts towards the farm’s accomplishments (Hall et al 1993). This is unveiled when Boxer becomes weak, older and sick and Napoleon goes ahead to sell him to the slaughterhouse. Napoleon does not even recognize or consider the contributions brought to the farm by Boxer. Therefore, the pig regime only utilizes the animals for their own benefits.
Benjamin is seen as a cynic as he just watches what is taking place but does not fall for such issues. Moreover, he seems to understand that nothing ever changes in the farm at any given time. He thinks that too much excitement concerning involvements in the revolution would only lead to frustrations and disappointments. Unlike boxer, Benjamin is very sure that the pigs’ leadership is there to explore the other animals for selfish interests rather than community interests. This implies that he does not support the pig leadership as well as the mentioned revolution. Moreover, he sees the cycle of power struggle which makes him conclude that nothing will ever change for as long as the pigs’ leadership remains in power. This makes him unhappy with the type of regime since no change will be expected. Benjamin conclusions are unveiled when his best friend Boxer is sold out to the slaughterhouse when he becomes weak, older and sick (Mills, 2011).
Boxer seems to trust and even love the pigs’ leadership compared to the Benjamin who actually never liked the leadership. Boxer does not see any obstructions in pigs’ leadership and thus serves with all his energy and strength. However, he does not discover the manipulative tendency of the pig regime. On the other hand, Benjamin views the cycle of power struggles and concludes that the regime will be a manipulative one, which happens when his friend Boxer is taken to his death at slaughterhouse (Mills, 2011).
Despite Boxer and Benjamin differences in terms of ideas, thoughts and the way they handle their responsibilities, these two animals were great friends who trusted teach other very much. It is clear that Benjamin loved Boxer very much to the extent of even trying to prevent Napoleon from sending Boxer to the slaughterhouse where he would eventually meet his death. This action reveals that these two animals were great friends who felt comfortable at the site of each other. Moreover, Benjamin never trusted any other party apart from Boxer which is also a sign of great friendship.
Another similarity was the fact that these two animals were under the pigs’ regime or leadership. This implied that the pigs controlled both the animals to ensure that the farm’s work is executed. The pigs’ leadership was ensured that both animals worked towards the accomplishment of the farms goals and objectives. Additionally, the two animals were very honest, sincere and even loyal to each other. Boxer was very loyal, sincere and even honest to the pigs’ leadership as well as Benjamin his friend. Benjamin was also very loyal, honest and even sincere to his friend Boxer (Mills, 2011).
Conclusion
Boxer was very loyal, honest and even sincere to the pigs’ leadership and his friend Benjamin. However, Benjamin never liked the pigs’ leadership since he viewed as a manipulative leadership. This only unveiled the fact that these two animals had many differences and similarities, which made them foils of each other. Despite these differences, these two trusted each other as well as were great friends.
References
Hall, P., Mitchell, A., Peaslee, R., & Orwell, G. (1993). The play of George Orwell's Animal farm. Oxford: Heinemann Educational.
Mills, C. (2011). George Orwell's Animal farm. St Kilda, Vic: Insight Publications.
Wooldridge, I. (2005). George Orwell's Animal farm. Woodstock, IL: Dramatic Publishing.
