Animal Farm

In Animal Farm, Boxer dies after collapsing from overwork while helping to build the windmill. By this point, he is old, injured, and physically exhausted, but he refuses to rest because he believes completely in Animal Farm and in Napoleon’s leadership. Even after his lung collapses, Boxer insists on continuing to work so he can see the windmill finished before retirement. 

Napoleon claims that Boxer will be taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment, but Benjamin reads the writing on the van that arrives to collect him: “Alfred Simmonds, Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler.” The animals realize too late that Boxer is actually being sent to the glue factory to be killed and processed. Clover cries out for Boxer to escape, and Boxer kicks weakly against the van, but he is too old and sick to break free. The animals never see him again, and it’s implied that he dies at the glue factory.

After Boxer’s death, Squealer lies to the animals and claims that the van had once belonged to a glue maker but was recently purchased by the veterinarian and not yet repainted. Most of the animals believe him. Soon afterward, the pigs buy more whiskey, implying that they profited from selling Boxer.

Boxer’s death is one of the novel’s clearest examples of betrayal and corruption. Boxer spends his entire life serving Animal Farm with the mottos “I will work harder!” and “Napoleon is always right,” but the leadership he trusted ultimately uses him up and discards him once he is no longer useful. Through Boxer’s demise, Orwell shows how totalitarian systems exploit loyal workers while pretending to honor them.