The Wars by Timothy Findley describes the many struggles and hardships that people often face in life. One common tragedy is the death of a loved one. Findley introduces the reader to two characters who are confronting the adversities that come their way: Robert Ross and his mother, Mrs. Ross. Undoubtedly, losing someone precious will often lead to a great deal of sadness and anguish. However, The Wars suggests a means of coping with the traumatic incident in an effective manner by contrasting Robert’s and Mrs. Ross’s journey of healing. It is evident throughout the book that Robert was able to overcome his past experiences better than Mrs. Ross since he actively sought healthy relationships with others that later proved to be meaningful and
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The degree to which he matures would not have been possible without the assistance and support of others. The death of his sister, Rowena, greatly affected Robert’s well-being. During his time in the military, Robert encounters Harris, whom he came to love like Rowena: “But love–yes. Robert, thought he never said so, loved Harris. It was clear in the way he dealt with his death and in the way he spoke of him afterwards to me” (103). The death of Harris gave Robert the opportunity to develop and cope with death, evident in how he handled the burial of Harris. Similarly, his relationship with animals and nature assist with his development. To him, animals are reminiscent of Rowena as they both symbolized innocence. Although Rowena may have been the reason why he enlisted in the army, protecting the innocent was one of the key reasons for serving, which gave him a sense of purpose. In addition, Juliet d’Orsey plays a significant role in Robert’s life, especially after his time in the army. She stays by his side until his death, giving him hope and affection. This gave him the motivation to continue living and also helped him overcome his grief regarding Rowena. His relationships were crucial in helping him move on as he was supported by those he had in his
The degree to which he matures would not have been possible without the assistance and support of others. The death of his sister, Rowena, greatly affected Robert’s well-being. During his time in the military, Robert encounters Harris, whom he came to love like Rowena: “But love–yes. Robert, thought he never said so, loved Harris. It was clear in the way he dealt with his death and in the way he spoke of him afterwards to me” (103). The death of Harris gave Robert the opportunity to develop and cope with death, evident in how he handled the burial of Harris. Similarly, his relationship with animals and nature assist with his development. To him, animals are reminiscent of Rowena as they both symbolized innocence. Although Rowena may have been the reason why he enlisted in the army, protecting the innocent was one of the key reasons for serving, which gave him a sense of purpose. In addition, Juliet d’Orsey plays a significant role in Robert’s life, especially after his time in the army. She stays by his side until his death, giving him hope and affection. This gave him the motivation to continue living and also helped him overcome his grief regarding Rowena. His relationships were crucial in helping him move on as he was supported by those he had in his