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Boxer Character Analysis Worksheet

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Boxer Character Analysis Worksheet

Read the original study passage, then answer the questions using details from it. For analysis questions, explain how a detail supports your idea.

Study passage: Boxer on Animal Farm

In George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm, Boxer is a large, powerful cart-horse. He is devoted to the farm and willing to work beyond what is reasonable. When the animals face setbacks, Boxer responds by working harder. He also trusts the farm’s leader, Napoleon, and tends to accept what he is told rather than question it. Boxer is not good at reading. This makes it harder for him to check written rules or understand how the farm’s principles are being changed. Other animals sometimes help him, but his strength and loyalty do not protect him from being manipulated. While helping build a windmill, Boxer is badly injured. He hopes to recover and return to work. Instead, the leaders arrange for him to be taken away and sell him, even though the animals had been led to expect that he would receive care. Boxer’s fate shows the gap between his service to the farm and the way its rulers treat him. Orwell uses Boxer to draw attention to how workers can be exploited when they have little power and are encouraged to trust those in charge.

Character evidence at a glance

Use the details in this chart as evidence for your answers.

Passage detail

What it may suggest

Boxer works harder when the farm faces setbacks.

He trusts Napoleon and rarely questions him.

He struggles to read the farm’s written rules.

After he is injured, the leaders sell him instead of caring for him.

Check your understanding

Choose or write the best answer for each question.

1.Which two qualities most clearly describe Boxer in the passage?

Lazy and suspicious
Hardworking and trusting
Ambitious and dishonest
Careless and rebellious

2.Why does Boxer’s difficulty with reading make him more vulnerable?

He cannot help with physical work.
He has trouble checking written rules and noticing changes.
He forgets how to care for the other animals.
He refuses to listen to anyone on the farm.

3.True or false: Boxer’s strength and loyalty guarantee that the leaders will protect him.

TrueFalse

4.Complete the idea: Boxer often answers difficulties by rather than by .

Build an interpretation

Use a specific detail from the passage in each answer.

5.What does Boxer’s response to setbacks reveal about his attitude toward work?

6.Explain how Boxer’s trust in Napoleon affects his ability to protect himself.

7.The leaders’ treatment of Boxer is ironic. Explain the contrast between what Boxer gives the farm and what he receives in return.

8.Match each passage detail with the character idea it best supports.

Boxer keeps working when the farm has setbacks.
Boxer accepts Napoleon’s leadership without much question.
Boxer struggles to read the farm’s rules.

A limit that increases his vulnerability
His commitment to labor
His trust in authority

9.In this passage, Boxer can be read as a symbol of workers with little power. Give one detail that supports this interpretation and explain the connection.

10.Write a short paragraph explaining Orwell’s message through Boxer’s character. Include one strength, one vulnerability, and what Boxer’s fate suggests about power.