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Animals in The Wars
By: Danny, James, Julia, Kristan and Stefanie
Our Thesis: The presence of animals in the novel, The Wars serve as a constant symbol of Robert Ross’s
innocence. Animals become the only innocent victims of the war, yet are still destroyed and tortured by
humans. Each time Robert witnesses their obliteration, he is exposed to the cruelty and brutality of others. His
innocence and humanity are deteriorated throughout the novel, until he evolves into an animalistic savage
himself.
Rowena and her Rabbits:
By: Julia
Rowena’s Innocence  The character of Rowena serves as a symbol of innocence in The Wars, as her disability sheltered her
from the surrounding world.
 Her inability to walk constrained her to the limitations of a wheelchair, and forced her to be in the
constant care of her family.
 For the majority of Robert’s life, he acted as Rowena’s guardian and protector.
 After the death of his sister, Robert experienced extreme guilt for not watching and protecting her. He
undeniably blames himself for her preventable death throughout the novel.
 The dependence Rowena has on her family is similar to the relationships many animals have with their
parents; they give their young life, food and protection – all of which Rowena relied on others for.
 Rabbits share the same characteristics as Rowena – small, precious, gentile and fragile.
Rowena & her Rabbits –
 Rowena and rabbits are discussed periodically throughout the text – in union, as well as separately.
 Rowena and rabbits serve as symbols of purity and innocence, both of which Robert feels he must
protect.
 The occurrence of rabbits throughout the text reminds Robert of his sister, and how it he did not want to
harm them as they “belonged to her”.
 The demand for Robert to kill the last reminder of his sister – living and innocent creatures – further
demonstrates the inhumanity and cruelty of others.
 The reverence Robert has for Rowena’s rabbits is crucial in the development of his respect for all
animals seen throughout the text.
Prominent Quotes & Analysis –
“It must be here and he must do it. ‘Why?’ ‘BECAUSE HE LOVED HER.’ A chair fell over.”
(Findley 19).
The strong argument Mrs. Ross has for the necessity of Rowena’s rabbits to be killed (and Robert to be the
killer) is Robert’s first exposure to inhumanity and murder. His refusal resulted in the subsequent hiring of
Teddy Budge – a man who was both physically and emotionally capable of committing such an act that he
could not. The later murder of the horse by Robert creates a comparison between the two situations (both
murdering an animal) however Robert’s capability came from the necessity of following order, as well as his
lack of emotional attachment to the animal itself.
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“All these actors were obeying some kind of fate we call ‘revenge.’ Because a girl had died – and her rabbits
had survived her.” (Findley 21).
The word actors serves to demonstrate Robert’s unconventional attitude in comparison to how the rest of his
family, predominately his mother, were acting following the death of Rowena. The idea of “revenge”
demonstrates the lack of faith Mrs. Ross truly has, as she feels is it justifiable to commit such an act in return for
the disablement and death of her daughter. The fact an animal had out survived her further accentuates her
disbelief that her daughter died – despite the way in which she acts.
“‘Robert?’
‘Yes, Rowena?’
‘Will you stay with me forever?’
‘Yes, Rowena.’
‘Can the rabbits stay forever, too?’
‘Yes, Rowena.’”
(Findley 18).
This conversation between Rowena and Robert best exemplifies many aspects seen throughout the novel, most
noted is the strong relationship the two hold. The importance Rowena has for her rabbits to stay forever with her
may be the only justifiable reason why they should be killed; however Robert does not see it that way. He
believes they should live on as her legacy, and serve as a living reminder of his only sister. This promise Robert
makes to her could be seen as the most severing to their relationship in the end, as Robert fully feels he did not
live up to his end.
Robert and the Horse:
By: Stefanie
The idea of the horse is a much acknowledged animal in this text. There are multiple scenes featuring horses
but the scene involving horses that stood out was when Robert had to take charge and shoot the horse on the
boat. During a hellish, stormy voyage on a crowded troopship carrying 140 horses to Great War, he has to shoot
a wounded horse; this event traumatizes him, for he is sensitive to suffering in animals as well as humans, and
has an exaggerated sense of responsibility. Within this scene it shows Robert emerging to another step of
savagery, the animals throughout the text represent the loss of innocence of Robert Ross. In this scene since he
is the one killing the horse it is a more violent and sudden approach to the side of savagery. It says in the book
“Robert approached the horse with the hammer drawn back and held in place by his thumb…He fired. A Chair
fell over in his mind…” (60, Findley). By killing the horse it shows that Robert’s character has drastically
changed the beginning of the novel. At first Robert has troubles killing the horse; he misses multiple times, due
to the fact that prior to this he has not had experience with killing and he is shaken by it. Findley shows
Robert’s struggle with killing the horse initially because it represents the struggle of holding onto his innocence,
Robert has not experienced many situations like the one he is in and he doesn’t wish to be placed in situations
like this. Robert has no intention to killing anything, it reminds him of Rowena’s rabbits and that is something
he does not like to dwell on.
Rodwell and his Animals:
By: Kristan
Robert Ross’ commander, Rodwell shared a similar connection to animals as Robert. When Robert arrived
at his quarters in the trenches, he met Rodwell and his animals. He learned that Rodwell had rescued each
animal from the battlefield and surrounding areas and kept them in cages. In the cages were a toad, rabbits, a
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hedgehog, and such. These animals were in Belgium before the war even began, but found themselves caught
in the middle of it. The trench warfare tore apart their habitats and left them without a safe haven. Rodwell was
their rescuer, and continued to care for them throughout the war. Here the animals were sheltered and able to
survive. Although, once the gas attacks from the Germans struck the trenches, the animals died. They were
suffocated from the gas, except for the toad (which was kept safe in the water). These animals were the victims
of the war surrounding them, and entirely innocent in their nature. Rodwell found the deaths of his beloved
animals something hard to cope with, and to make matters worse, he witnessed the torturing of cats and rodents
by soldiers in the trenches. Just like Rodwell’s animals, these creatures had caused no harm to humans and
were yet exposed to pain and torture by them. Similar to Robert, Rodwell had a close connection with wild
creatures and was uncomfortable around the suffering of innocent animals. Rodwell was so shaken by the
torture he witnessed, that he committed suicide, leaving behind a sketchbook. In the sketchbook were
“Drawings of the toad, the bird, the hedgehog, birds and mice, a frog and some insects, and Robert. “In all of
them – on every page, the drawings were of animals. Of maybe a hundred sketches, Robert’s was the only
human form. Modified and mutated – he was one with the others” (Findley 138). Rodwell understood Robert’s
strong connection to animals, and so depicted him in such way.
The Link to Savagery:
By: Danny
After seeing all the cruelty done to animals, Robert goes savage, and turns into an animal himself. All
throughout the war Robert had seen animals being treated as if they were not living creature, but inanimate
objects. Robert is sensitive to suffering, and thus does not like to see anything being treated this way. But the
breaking point was when Captain Leather refused to retreat the horses to save them, he would rather they die
just to save face: “What would it look like? We should never live it down,” (Findley, 182) this was the
proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back, and he decided to disobey orders to save the horses. The result
was Leather killing Devlin, Robert shooting Leather, “between the eyes,” (Findley, 184), and then escaping.
And after stumbling upon a railroad car filled with other horses, Robert is determined to set them free as well.
He then also kills Private Cassels, after he attempts to stop Robert from escaping with these horses, because
Robert knows they will be taken back to the frontlines to die, but he cannot take seeing anymore animals die. It
was such cruelty to animals that in turn changed Robert into an animal.
Union with Animals:
By: James
Throughout the entire novel, while Robert has several interactions with animals, he becomes almost
entirely animalistic in the end. The last source of innocence is through his interactions with animals, and his last
attempt at salvation lies in his mercy killings of the horses and mules. His act of murder against Captain Leather
is justified in the sense that:
“If an animal had done this – we would call it mad and shoot it.” (203)
Robert believes that the actions of Leather are inexcusable and his self-proclaimed execution is the same
treatment an animal would receive.
Robert demonstrates his oneness with animals through his final expression in the barn.
“We shall not be taken.” (212)
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This is the strongest notion of the bond between Robert and the horses that shows he would rather die amongst
the innocent animals that kill along-side humans.
And his last words: “The dog. The dog.” (213)
His last concern, the well-being of his last true companion.