War has been a constant part of human history. Whether it was World War I or World War II, war has greatly affected all aspects of life. Soldiers, families, countries, and societies, have all suffered through these times. Ultimately, the effects of war are extremely detrimental. Timothy Findley’s masterpiece The Wars portrays the detrimental effects of war and how these effects are endured on a personal level, familial level, and a communal level. On a personal level, the detrimental effects of war have been exemplified through a variety of mediums in Findley’s novel The Wars. Furthermore, Robert Ross is a perfect example of a character who has been greatly affected by the effects of the war. “Robert Ross was no Hitler. That was his problem.”
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However, as the novel progresses and as he endures the effects of the war, there begins to be a change in Robert’s psyche. “It sang and sang, till Robert rose and walked away. The sound of it would haunt him to the day he died.” (Findley 131) Robert is plagued with signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as he is reliving traumatic moments in his life that he cannot forget. This is a direct effect of the war because Robert is forced to live through unpleasing and traumatic moments as the war inevitably progresses. In this quote, Robert encounters a German soldier and he shoots to kill him without hesitation because he thought the German soldier was reaching for his gun however in reality, he was only reaching for his binoculars to get a better look of birds flying overhead. Robert is desensitized and he is no longer this character who was timid and caring but now he is evidently violent and impulsive. Furthermore, events such when “Robert sank to his knees” (Findley 60) because of the shooting of the horse with a broken leg while on board of the S.S. Massanabie. This went against everything …show more content…
Rowell, being Rodwell, had tried to stop them. They would not be stopped—and, seeing that he took an interest, they’d forced him to watch the killing of a cat. Half an hour later, Rodwell wandered into No Man’s Land and put a bullet through his ears. (Findley 135)
Rodwell is forced to see a cat being tortured, he witnesses great cruelty and it ultimately pushes him over the edge. The senseless destruction of the natural world coupled with a seemingly endless amount of cruelty destroys Rowell’s faith in humanity and he proceeds to take his own life because he does not wish to live in a world like this. War tears families apart, both physically and mentally. Findley’s novel exemplifies the destruction of a family through the mind. This is displayed with Robert Ross’s family and the most affected victim was his mother, Mrs.
However, as the novel progresses and as he endures the effects of the war, there begins to be a change in Robert’s psyche. “It sang and sang, till Robert rose and walked away. The sound of it would haunt him to the day he died.” (Findley 131) Robert is plagued with signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as he is reliving traumatic moments in his life that he cannot forget. This is a direct effect of the war because Robert is forced to live through unpleasing and traumatic moments as the war inevitably progresses. In this quote, Robert encounters a German soldier and he shoots to kill him without hesitation because he thought the German soldier was reaching for his gun however in reality, he was only reaching for his binoculars to get a better look of birds flying overhead. Robert is desensitized and he is no longer this character who was timid and caring but now he is evidently violent and impulsive. Furthermore, events such when “Robert sank to his knees” (Findley 60) because of the shooting of the horse with a broken leg while on board of the S.S. Massanabie. This went against everything …show more content…
Rowell, being Rodwell, had tried to stop them. They would not be stopped—and, seeing that he took an interest, they’d forced him to watch the killing of a cat. Half an hour later, Rodwell wandered into No Man’s Land and put a bullet through his ears. (Findley 135)
Rodwell is forced to see a cat being tortured, he witnesses great cruelty and it ultimately pushes him over the edge. The senseless destruction of the natural world coupled with a seemingly endless amount of cruelty destroys Rowell’s faith in humanity and he proceeds to take his own life because he does not wish to live in a world like this. War tears families apart, both physically and mentally. Findley’s novel exemplifies the destruction of a family through the mind. This is displayed with Robert Ross’s family and the most affected victim was his mother, Mrs.