The Wars Essay
November 30th 2016
Justyn Drisdelle
Timothy Findley creates an atmosphere displaying the horrors of WWI and the unpredictable realities. Evidently, the events several character have endured throughout the war has changed them greatly throughout the novel, one of these characters being Robert. Though the effects that the war has on the characters and how the characters react to said changes is truly what makes up each individual character. Many challenges were faced but a select few greatly impacted the characters. In The Wars, Timothy Findley has created a vivid atmosphere in which the characters must surrender to change due to the loss of innocence, the enforcement of gender roles, and the inevitable insanity the characters …show more content…
Before the war, and throughout, Robert is perceived as more feminine than men, “‘Why do the rabbits have to be killed?’ ‘Because they were [Rowena’s]’ ‘But that can’t possibly make any sense.’ ‘ Nonetheless, they must be killed’ ‘I’ll look after them’ ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Robert Gracious! You’re a grown up man’” (Findley 18). Roberts is seen as unmasculine for not killing Rowena 's rabbits, opening the eyes of those around him to view his femininity. Roberts was also a mother figure to Rowena and when displaying guilt about her death and wanting to take action “[Robert] wanted no attachments yet. What he wanted was a model. Someone who could teach him, by example, how to kill. Robert had never aimed a gun at anything.” (Findley 24). Even while he was admitted, he wanted a strong dominant male figure to teach him to be a man and be able to kill, not only animals, but even humans. This can be seen when he looks up to Eugene Taffler and even BSM (battery sergeant major) during the event of Robert killing a horse. The lack of dominance Robert carries is acknowledged early on in the story. “Robert Ross was no hitler. That was his problem” (Findley 13). Hitler was, at the time, a very straightforward and tough figure, which Robert clearly wasn 't and the book addresses that as a problem, enforcing the gender roles in its commencement. It becomes …show more content…
Many small and insignificant, like facing guilt or being ashamed, and many very large and real, like the dying soldiers and animals during WWI. Findley encapsulated very well the aftermath WWI left thousands suffering in. A large amount of characters have developed greatly as they had to adapt though the war. Robert, being the main character, must change the most as he faces many challenges along his journey through the difficult times of the war. The prominent effects that the war had on the characters, were the loss of innocence, the huge influence of gender roles, and the insanity that is impossible to
November 30th 2016
Justyn Drisdelle
Timothy Findley creates an atmosphere displaying the horrors of WWI and the unpredictable realities. Evidently, the events several character have endured throughout the war has changed them greatly throughout the novel, one of these characters being Robert. Though the effects that the war has on the characters and how the characters react to said changes is truly what makes up each individual character. Many challenges were faced but a select few greatly impacted the characters. In The Wars, Timothy Findley has created a vivid atmosphere in which the characters must surrender to change due to the loss of innocence, the enforcement of gender roles, and the inevitable insanity the characters …show more content…
Before the war, and throughout, Robert is perceived as more feminine than men, “‘Why do the rabbits have to be killed?’ ‘Because they were [Rowena’s]’ ‘But that can’t possibly make any sense.’ ‘ Nonetheless, they must be killed’ ‘I’ll look after them’ ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Robert Gracious! You’re a grown up man’” (Findley 18). Roberts is seen as unmasculine for not killing Rowena 's rabbits, opening the eyes of those around him to view his femininity. Roberts was also a mother figure to Rowena and when displaying guilt about her death and wanting to take action “[Robert] wanted no attachments yet. What he wanted was a model. Someone who could teach him, by example, how to kill. Robert had never aimed a gun at anything.” (Findley 24). Even while he was admitted, he wanted a strong dominant male figure to teach him to be a man and be able to kill, not only animals, but even humans. This can be seen when he looks up to Eugene Taffler and even BSM (battery sergeant major) during the event of Robert killing a horse. The lack of dominance Robert carries is acknowledged early on in the story. “Robert Ross was no hitler. That was his problem” (Findley 13). Hitler was, at the time, a very straightforward and tough figure, which Robert clearly wasn 't and the book addresses that as a problem, enforcing the gender roles in its commencement. It becomes …show more content…
Many small and insignificant, like facing guilt or being ashamed, and many very large and real, like the dying soldiers and animals during WWI. Findley encapsulated very well the aftermath WWI left thousands suffering in. A large amount of characters have developed greatly as they had to adapt though the war. Robert, being the main character, must change the most as he faces many challenges along his journey through the difficult times of the war. The prominent effects that the war had on the characters, were the loss of innocence, the huge influence of gender roles, and the insanity that is impossible to