The Wars
The Wars by Timothy Findley
“Prior to the writing of The Wars, it was unheard of for any writer who had not experienced it first hand to write about "The War to End All Wars". However, Findley, with his direct and shocking style, was able to surpass this barrier and create one of the most acclaimed novels about World War I.” (Acadia)
“The Wars remains Findley’s most-discussed book. Based partly on the wartime correspondence of his uncle, Thomas Irving Findley, and on family photos, he wrote the novel in guise of a researcher trying to reconstruct the story of Robert Ross, a soldier of the Great War.” (National Library of Canada)
Themes
Violence: the necessity of it; what it accomplishes
Isolation: the isolation of self and impact on identity
Animal rights: companionship; exploitation; hierarchy of life
Identity: how can an individual survive and thrive in a world of madness
Disillusionment: falsehood of romanticism; perception vs. reality
Wars: both WWI and the internal dilemmas and conflicts
Symbolism
Dogs and Horses: Loyal companions who don’t judge prologue dog watching Robert at the train station (15)
Taffler accompanied by horse and dog encounter dogs and horses on the way to whorehouse horses on board the ship
Coyote: “Robert learns from this run, that a hunter kills when it has to survive, but is generous when it is not a hunter.” (Acadia)
Water: life satisfies Robert’s thirst (27) Water as a plentiful source (Canadian).
Seasons: Change and time
“And now, the leaves had fallen twice. It was not for nothing he’d stood beneath the wide marquee that summer day. It would fill and fall on everyone.” (47)
Fire: the brutality of war.
“But only the letters mailed from France were worthy of this exchange. They had the smell of fire.” (74)
Chapter Notes
Never that which is shall die.” - EURIPIDES “
A suitable epigraph for the novel.
Provides the theme before reading to focus the reader on the proper points.
Is one of
“Prior to the writing of The Wars, it was unheard of for any writer who had not experienced it first hand to write about "The War to End All Wars". However, Findley, with his direct and shocking style, was able to surpass this barrier and create one of the most acclaimed novels about World War I.” (Acadia)
“The Wars remains Findley’s most-discussed book. Based partly on the wartime correspondence of his uncle, Thomas Irving Findley, and on family photos, he wrote the novel in guise of a researcher trying to reconstruct the story of Robert Ross, a soldier of the Great War.” (National Library of Canada)
Themes
Violence: the necessity of it; what it accomplishes
Isolation: the isolation of self and impact on identity
Animal rights: companionship; exploitation; hierarchy of life
Identity: how can an individual survive and thrive in a world of madness
Disillusionment: falsehood of romanticism; perception vs. reality
Wars: both WWI and the internal dilemmas and conflicts
Symbolism
Dogs and Horses: Loyal companions who don’t judge prologue dog watching Robert at the train station (15)
Taffler accompanied by horse and dog encounter dogs and horses on the way to whorehouse horses on board the ship
Coyote: “Robert learns from this run, that a hunter kills when it has to survive, but is generous when it is not a hunter.” (Acadia)
Water: life satisfies Robert’s thirst (27) Water as a plentiful source (Canadian).
Seasons: Change and time
“And now, the leaves had fallen twice. It was not for nothing he’d stood beneath the wide marquee that summer day. It would fill and fall on everyone.” (47)
Fire: the brutality of war.
“But only the letters mailed from France were worthy of this exchange. They had the smell of fire.” (74)
Chapter Notes
Never that which is shall die.” - EURIPIDES “
A suitable epigraph for the novel.
Provides the theme before reading to focus the reader on the proper points.
Is one of