R: "It had come to [Squealer's] knowledge...that a foolish and wicked rumor had been circulated at the time of Boxer's removal. Some of the animals had noticed that the van which took Boxer away was marked "Horse Slaughterer," and had actually jumped to the conclusion that Boxer was being sent to the knacker's. It was almost unbelievable, said Squealer, that any animal could be so stupid." (p. 125)
At this point in the novel I was actually going crazy with desire for those animals to stand up for themselves! Boxer the prized horse and inspiration for all the working animals had punctured one of his lungs during labor. Squealer told the animals that a cart would be arriving to take Boxer to the hospital but instead a cart with the words "Alfred Simmonds Horse Slaughterer and Glue Boiler" (p 123) arrived. The animals realized this and chased the cart to get it to halt and save their friend but they were unsuccessful and Boxer was never seen again. It just drives me nuts that he had very obviously been taken away to be slaughtered and the animals had even fought back to save their friend and still when Squealer announced his cover story the animals simply decided that he must be telling the truth. It is a complete outrage for me as the reader, however it did keep me reading. I just continue to hope that the animals will finally be able to stand up for themselves and figure out a way to end the tyranny.
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