Throughout Timothy Findley’s The Wars novel, Robert Ross has a special connection to nature and wildlife. He is happiest when connected to the animal world, especially horses. By the end of the novel, Robert realizes he has no regard for human life, instead he feels peace and belonging when he is with animals and will do anything to protect them even if it costs him his life. The animals Robert has a special connection to the most and contribute to his ties to nature getting stronger are the coyote, the horses, and the dog.
Robert’s bond with the animals starts prior to the war with the coyote in the beginning of the novel as he first discovers the harmlessness of nature and animals. Robert ran outside one night and saw a coyote; he thought
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it was interesting and decided to follow it. He wondered what the coyote was up to, and “why it wasn’t hunting” (Findley 25). At this point Robert realizes the innocence of the coyote.
While running, Robert witnesses the coyote come across two gophers, but it did not “pause to scuffle the burrows or even to sniff at them” (Findley 26). …show more content…
Instead, “it just went right on trotting—forward towards its goal” (Findley 26) which was a water valley. This gives the reader an idea of the theme of the animal life in the novel which is innocence. Also, the Coyote never turns around to attack Robert which is a message to Robert that wildlife is innocent and harmless. Running with the coyote and analyzing its actions emphasizes that Robert escapes the reality he is living by spending his time where he thinks he belongs in nature, rather than bonding with other people around him. Furthermore, when the coyote left, Robert was desperate to see it coming back, it got him tied and hooked up to discover nature. At the end of the scene, the coyote left Robert wondering about the wildlife and the innocence of it. Robert’s connection to the animals then extends to the horses during the war as he spends more time with them and the feeling of empathy towards them starts to grow.
While his connection with animals gets stronger; his bond with humans happens to fade away. He goes on a ship with other soldiers to go fight in the war. After Harris is taken ill, Robert then has to be the one responsible for taking care of the horses on the ship. Even though having to stay with the horses is a horrible duty of a soldier because of the smell, the insects, and the rats, “[Robert] found it was a marvelous cure for seasickness” (Findley 63). He enjoyed staying with the horses to the point where he “became completely disengaged from the other life on the upper deck. He even went below off duty” (Findley 63). Robert found himself a place where he belongs and is most comfortable in on that ship; not with humans but with the horses. After Robert spends a decent time with the horses, one of them has broken its leg, and Robert is called to shoot it since he is an officer with a gun. Robert hesitates and becomes nervous, “he has never squeezed a trigger against a living creature in the whole of his life” (Findley 64). Robert starts desperately thinking of ways to avoid what he had been asked to do. He thought to himself “why couldn’t Battery Sergeant-Major Joyce do this? Hadn’t he been in the army all his life?” (Findley 64). This demonstrates that Robert strongly does not want to be the one causing
extra harm to the horse, even though it is an act to save it from surviving with pain by shooting it. Furthermore, he is affected by the harm caused to the horse and feels empathy towards it because after he shoots the horse, he continues to squeeze the trigger and goes through a panic attack realizing what had just happened. This conveys that Robert is now attached to the life of animals and feels empathetic to what they have to go through. Towards the end of the war, Robert completely loses the feeling of empathy towards humans, and treats them the same way they would treat the animals: inhumanly. For instance, Robert requests to move the horses to save them, but Captain Leather denies his request asking “what would it look like?” (Findley 201). Captain Leather only cares about the appearance of the army in the war rather than moral actions because he did not want it to look like they are retreating. After Robert’s request is denied, Robert does not listen to Leather, instead he decides to follow his own personal morality and goes with Devlin to get the horses out and move them in order to protect them. Leather is furious and shoots Devlin, while Robert “kept running for the gates. He could hear the men who were trapped inside the ruin screaming to be let out” (Findley 203). At this point Robert completely ignores humans and chooses to protect and save the animals over humans. Moreover, after the horses either die or are injured, Robert thinks “if an animal had done this—we would call it mad and shoot it” (Findley 203), and this is the moment when Robert shoots Captain Leather without a second thought, treating him the same way he would treat the horses: inhumanly. Afterwards, Robert “tore the lapels from his uniform and left the battlefield” (Findley 203), this act tells the reader that now he has disconnected himself fully from the war after witnessing the inhuman actions of humans towards the horses in the war. Extending this, Robert kills Private Cassles for no apparent reason; he is not affected by doing this nor does he care anymore about the life of humans, he disregards human life. Major Mickle chases Robert to kill him for shooting Private Cassles, Robert escapes to the barn with the horses. Mickle gives Robert a few chances to surrender with the horses, however Robert yells “we shall not be taken” (Findley 212). After the horses are burned and Robert gets badly injured, he still thought about the dog and wondered where it went. Robert is as innocent and pure as the animals, he is affected by war the same way the animals are. Rodwell confirms Robert and the animals’ similar characteristic of innocence by including Robert in his animal sketchbook. This displays the belonging Robert feels to the wildlife, as he now considers himself being one of the animals by sharing their characteristics of innocence and purity. Overall, as the events occur in the novel, Robert is distanced from humans as well as disapproving the live of humans. He witnesses the inhuman acts performed in the war towards the innocent animals and decides to follow his personal morality to protect their innocence. Furthermore, Robert also finds himself more at peace and belonging in the wildlife which makes his bond with nature get stronger.
Robert Ross is the main character in the story and has horrible things done to him and has done things no man should desire to do, these actions have forced him down a path that leads to the wearing down of his love for humanity and his desire to be a soldier; he no longer wants to be a soldier because the actions of others have removed the romanticized idea of a death in sacrifice for king and country. The idea of becoming a soldier came when his
Throughout the book, it is shown that Robert has a special connection with animals and the environment. The many animals he encounters throughout the story are symbols which reflect on him and his actions. After Robert accidentally kills the German sniper who spared the life of him and his men, he feels guilty for taking an innocent life. This is reflected in nature by the bird which “sang and sang and sang, till Robert rose and walked away. The sound of it would haunt him to the day he died.” (Findley 131) This scene uses the readers’ knowledge of Robert’s deep emotional connections with animals to emphasize the sadness and guilt that he felt after shooting the German. Robert is often shown as innocent and caring, traits he shares with animals. Rodwell realizes this and draws a picture of Robert in his sketchbook (otherwise full of animal sketches), although “the shading was not quite human” (Findley 138). In the sketch, Rodwell is able to show both the human and non-human side of Robert. Finally, Robert’s strong love for Rowena, his sister, is mainly because of her innocence. As a result of her disability, she is innocent and naïve like a child or animal; she relies on Robert to be “her guardian” (Findley 10)....
ultimately defends the wild in all of its forms. He opens the novel with a narrative story about a
The appearance of a character is not always a good reflection of one’s true personality. In The Wars, Robert attempts to change how he appears to people; he tries to become what he believes a soldier should be. When Robert kills the horse on the ship, he is traumatized; he “began to squeeze the trigger and he squeezed again and again and again” (Findley 68) which indicates he is going insane, having to do an act he did not want to commit in the first place. Robert tries to act like nothing from the shooting has affected him; he exceeds his emotions and acts exactly like an officer by saying “if this damn ship would sell us one I’d buy us both a drink” (Findley 69), by changing the subject, Robert indicates that he is not affected nor cares about the killing of the horse, even though internally, he is. Likewise in King Lear, Goneril and Regan both intentionally appear to be something they are not. When Lear
War has been a constant part of human history. It has greatly affected the lives of people around the world. These effects, however, are extremely detrimental. Soldiers must shoulder extreme stress on the battlefield. Those that cannot mentally overcome these challenges may develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Sadly, some resort to suicide to escape their insecurities. Soldiers, however, are not the only ones affected by wars; family members also experience mental hardships when their loved ones are sent to war. Timothy Findley accurately portrays the detrimental effects wars have on individuals in his masterpiece The Wars.
The title of this novel, “The Wars” is illusory. Upon first glance, it makes one expect a protagonist who goes to an actual war, uses physical strength to fight on the battlefield and becomes a war hero.While part of that is true, there are also other significances of the war associated with this title. This novel recounts the journey of the protagonist, Robert Ross as he starts out as a shy, introvert and an inexperienced person before he goes to war; he experiences a change in himself as a result of the people and the battle(s) that he fights with the factors in his surroundings. Therefore, “The Wars” doesn’t necessarily mean the war with the enemy but it includes the wars at home, wars against nature and wars of relationships. Which
With the overwhelming detail, the readers are able to imagine the perfect replication of what Robert is seeing in the story and this allows for the detachment from reality. At the verge of the climax of the story, Robert sees a doe: “he was alone with the [it] in a green world that seemed to cru for rich red, and he did not have time to think; it was enough that he sensed the doe’s quick decision to leave him” and at that moment, “the arrow sliced through the deer” (1670)
Throughout the book, Robert develops a bond with the animals as he lacks connections with the everyday people in his life. Robert’s natural instinct to save but failure to do so is portrayed with horses: “I’m going to break ranks and save ...
Robert Ross’ is introduced to characters with varying outlooks on the world, based on their own social and economic backgrounds. The soldiers around Robert Ross differ greatly,...
Many times throughout Robert’s life, all those whom he thought were close to him, while he tried stick to his ideals, had betrayed him. When Robert lost Rowena, he felt that he had failed at his duty and he feels he must make up for it by joining the army. Expecting love and support from his parents, his mother verbally slaps him in the face. “I know what you want to do. I know you want to go away and be a soldier. Well you can go to hell. I’m just another stranger (p28).” Captain Taffler also betrayed Robert, even though he didn’t realize it. Robert set him up as a role model to emulate during the war, but once he found out that he was a homosexual, Robert’s ideals of people he looks up to in war were crushed. “He picked up a boot and held it in his hand. Its weight alarmed him and the texture of its leather skin appalled him with its human feel. He through the boot across the room and shattered the mirror (p45).” Finally, Robert was betrayed by his own love for others. By keeping faith with his...
At first, Rainsford related to and was even impressed by Zaroffthe general for his experience in hunting. HoweverTherefore, when Zaroff explained hishe was told of the General’s new choice in prey, Rainsford was so shocked andthat he was unable to think. However, he still instinctively felt that hunting humans was absurd. When talking to the general about hunting humans, the appalled Rainsford admits that he disagrees with this form of “Hunting? General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder”, but the general refused “to believe that so modern and civilized a young man as you seem to be harbors romantic ideas about the value of human life”(101). Rainsford’s conversation with the General clearly resembles the previous conversation he had with Whitney, where General Zaroff values human life as little as Rainsford valued the jaguar’s life. This is a parallel conversation in which he unknowingly switches sides, disagreeing with his previous argument made in the first conversation. General Zaroff tries to persuade Rainsford to accompany him on a hunting day, but Rainsford continues to refuse claiming that the war “Did not make me condone cold-blooded murder,”(101). In his first conversation with Whitney, Rainsford doesn’t seem to put any thought or regret into hunting animals as prey because he
Robert initially is very helpful and kind to the married ladys on the island helping them with anything they needed including rounding up the children on page 19 “There was the sound of approaching voices. It was Robert, surrounded by a troop of children, searching for them. The two little Pontelliers were with him, and he carried Madame Ratignolles little girl in his arms.” He however becomes very controlling and manipulative to Edna and her interest by being increasingly friendly, and slowly becoming sensual with Edna. At the end of chapter 10 he sits down to spend time with Edna in the Hammock while her husband is away, even though they sit in silence. He is manipulating Edna because he is aware that her husband doesn’t give her much attention and that because of this Edna would be drawn to him. After they sit down together the author states “No multitude of words could have been more significant than those moments of silence, or more pregnant with the first- felt throbbings of desire.” (pg30)The desire from Robert is only stemming from the fact that her husband does not treat her same and does not give her the same attention. Roberts’s manipulation is also evident on the boat ride in chapter 12 as Robert is made aware by his Spanish friend Mariequita that he should not be going on trips with a married woman saying “ Francisco ran away with Sylvanos wife, who had four children. They took all his money and one of the children and stole his boat.” (pg 34)Yet Robert still pursues Edna asking her “ Let us go to Grand Terre to-morrow ?” (pg 34) to “climb up the hill to the old fort and look at the little wriggling gold snakes, and watch the lizards sun themselves.”(pg 34) , again picking at her weakness of loneliness. Another act of his controlling
Robert's encounter with the coyote is a significant step in his understanding of animals and, in turn, this leads to a greater understanding of himself. For Robert to be a soldier, it is important for him to see the point of view of a hunter. He learns from the coyote that a hunter must be generous and kill only in order to survive ("Animals and Their Significance" 1). Robert follows the coyote and watches as it passes two gophers and does not even "pause to scuffle the burrows or even sniff at them. It just [goes] right on trotting--forward towards its goal" (26). The coyote seems to sense Robert's connection with animals and realizes that he is not a threat. This is why the coyote continues to let Robert follow behind when it knows he is there. They drink together at the river, enjoying a "special communion" (Pirie 73). Then the animal tries to communicate with Robert by barking at him, "telling Robert the valley [is] vacant: safe" and then barks another three times to announce its departure (28). When Robert returns to the base, he pays the price for his time with the coyote and is confined to the barracks, but the experience has a profound impact on him. In his confinement, he feels as if the coyote has become a part of him, and he wishes "that someone would howl" (28).
When I thought of this it was a tragic moment for me, I can tell you.”In the beginning of the story Rainsford thoughts about hunting was the best sport because in the story he says “We should make it in a few days. I hope the Jaguar guns have come from Purdey’s. We should have some hunting up the Amazon. Great sport, hunting.” “The best sport in the World,” agreed Rainsford. Rainsford also wanted to give pay back to General Zaroff because he killed a lot of people when they visited the Ship-Trap Island. And Rainsford was terrified of General Zaroff because he wanted to kill him and that human was the “NEW ANIMAL”. He tried to get away from him and he could survive and be alive! So Rainsford tried his best to stay alive and get through the forest without being killed by General Zaroff. In the end, Rainsford got back at general Zaroff by killing him back at the campsite where general Zaroff has his camp.Rainsford first conflict was with the sea because he didn’t know where they were going and there was a mysterious Island. As he said in the story “Rainsford second conflict was the general Zaroff, in the first place Rainsford kind of knew the general was planning something and he tried to be
Having been a first-hand observer of Robert for a long time I’ve seen other desirable virtues begin to emerge in him. He’s become quite entrepreneurial, and as a close friend of his I’ve been drawn into many of his wild schemes as an unwilling ally.