The Wars

The Wars

Author: Timothy Findley

Publish date: 1977

Number of pages: 226

I chose this book for my independent study project simply because of the title of the novel. Plain and simple, "The Wars", gives strong meaning to the novel, and from reading the two words, a reader could instantly tell that the book deals with warfare. I also chose this book because I love warfare history, especially WWI and WWII. My teacher Ms. Breivik also told me that Timothy Findley is one of her favourite authors and that the book itself was also on her list of favourites. 

I am already having a good feeling about this book because it follows through the life of a young Canadian Armed Forces Soldier named Robert Ross. Ross, who enlisted in the forces because he felt guilty for his sisters death faces many issues throughout the novel, within the forces and within himself. I also believe that I will really get into this novel because I too may be enlisting in the armed forces, and from reading this I think that I can really get a feel into the boots of Robert Ross.

After reading part one of the novel and I can get a feel for how sensitive, loving, and how liberal he is. During the prologue of the book, Robert is shown with his horse and his dog on the rail roads. While moving down the rail road, his horse comes to a stop in front of the train wreckage and calls out for the trapped horses. Robert frees the horses brothers and sisters and Ross, the dog, the horse, and a hundred thirty more all run freely down the tracks in synchronization.



Themes that appear to forming throughout the novel already is heroism, family and animal relations. Heroism is portrayed in the first few pages of the book as Robert frees a herd of horses from train wreckage. Roberts love for his family is also shown in the death of his sister, which is the reason of him joining the army. I could also tell that Robert Ross had love for animals as well, because he was accompanied by a dog and horse during the prologue. At the death of his sister, Ross was also given the task of killing his sisters rabbits, which he could not do and had been beaten up trying to protect them.

A line that really speaks to me is also within the first few pages of the book. I find this line to be very symbolic and really defines Robert Ross. When his horse comes to a stop and whines for its family, Ross replies "All right, then we shall all go together." (Pg. 2) This really defines his character because it is a foundation for much of his beliefs, that being his compassion and love for family and animals. I believe that this might also foreshadow events to come during his time in the war, when he makes friends with people in his squad and develops strong relationships.