Animal And Man: A Partnership
Douglas Williams once said, “when humans act with cruelty, we characterize them as ‘animals,’ yet the only animal that displays cruelty is humanity. ” For as long as one can remember, humans have been viewed as the most dominant and supreme out of all living beings. Humans believe that they are capable of intellect, rationality, and morality while animals are nothing more than wild and malicious creatures. In the Wars, Findley overturns this belief to demonstrate the unrecognized value of animals. In the novel, being compared to an animal is not an insult, as the author proves that animals are capable of a lot more greatness than humans may recognize. Findley uses animal symbolism to demonstrate the similarities between animals and humans, and the valuable lessons of life, morality, and self acceptance that can be learned from such these insightful creatures. This is observed through the protagonist, Robert Ross.
In the novel, animal symbolism is used to draw parallels between animal and human characteristics, as is observed through Robert Ross. Firstly, the toad is a symbol of transformation and adaptability. The Germans initiated a new war tactic, the chlorine gas, on the battlefield which “asphyxiated” nearly all the small animals on the land, including Rodwell’s birds, rabbits, and hedgehog. Out of all his animals, the toad is the only one that survives. Rodwell places it “into the drinking water pail” where it utilizes cutaneous respiration to “[drink] through its pores” the pure water. “It was a matter, Rodwell had said, of your element” (148). Because toads are amphibians, they can survive on both land and water. When one element is unsafe, it retreats into another, because its anatomy is adapted to both types of environments. The toad’s ability to adapt is reminiscent of Robert’s own ability to survive various hostile environments, whether it be physical or psychological. Robert survives near death experiences by drowning, asphyxiation, trench explosions, and fire consumption. Robert utilizes his skills and previous knowledge to overcome all these incidents, the same way the toad takes advantage of its anatomical abilities to strive in different elements.
The resemblance of Robert and the toad is made evident through Rodwell’s sketch of his friend. Robert’s body was “speckled and fading into brightness where his clothes touch the neck and cheek” (155). He was “modified and mutated” into a toad (155). Rodwell observes this same quality of Robert and feels that his resemblance to the toad is so strong that Robert is almost one himself. Secondly, the mare is a symbol for strength and courageous leadership. Mares are known to be the “alpha” in a herd of horses, leading the way for others towards food, water and safety. Robert finds the mare accompanied by a dog. The two animals were used to each other’s company and “moved in tandem” (2). It’s likely the horse was the leader and protector of the two before Robert’s arrival. The symbolism of the horses is used to demonstrate Robert’s exemplary leadership quality, to both men and animals. Shortly after finding the dog and mare, Robert finds hundreds of others horses crowded in several railcars.
Robert takes the position of alpha mare and leads the animals to a safer location. He is described “riding along the tracks behind a hundred and thirty horses with the dog trotting beside him” (2). Horses are also used as religious symbolism, as the imagery on Robert on the mare horse alludes to him being like Jesus Christ, “the mounted leader of a righteous cavalry” (Stewart 78). In addition to leading the horses, Robert leads the soldiers during the gas attack. Just as Robert leads these animals, he leads the men by helping them survive the gas attack when they didn’t have proper equipment. Robert demonstrates his bravery, compassion, and continuously takes the initiative to protect others, as a great leader should. The toad and the mare are used to show Robert’s adaptability to unfamiliar environments and his strong leadership. Next, Findley uses animals to teach Robert what it means to be a true soldier. Firstly, the coyote teaches Robert that hunters do not kill without reason, but to survive. As a new soldier, Rob was looking for “a model. Someone who could teach him, by example, how to kill. ” (24) Although the coyote was not the model he was expecting, it has a powerful impact on Robert and what it means to be a true hunter. After nearly half an hour of running along with the coyote, not once does the animal make any motion of attack towards Robert or any other living being near its path. The coyote only acts when acted upon, as “he would not pick up his pace unless the distance between them was threatened” (25). Even when they approached two gophers near their path, the coyote “didn’t even come down off its toes. . . It just went right on trotting-forward towards its goal” (26).
The coyote offers Robert his first perspective from a hunter. He learns that as a soldier, he must choose careful targets and remain focused to his main goal, which is to survive the war. Robert is unafraid of the coyote, as others would be, because he does not see it as a ferocious beast. Robert observes a quality in the coyote that he does find in humans, which is their avoidance of needless savagery. Robert tries to follow the example of the coyote, but does not always succeed. When ordered to kill the injured horse on the ship, Robert is hesitant to take the animal’s life, but eventually complies because it is the only way to take it out of its misery. Later, when Robert encounters a German soldier, whom he suspects is unarmed, Robert chooses to spare his life. It is only when he feels threatened by the young man that Robert pulls the trigger. It is important to emphasize Robert’s intention was never to hurt the German soldier, his action was merely survival instinct. Secondly, Robert develops his sense of morality by freeing the horses. Morality is a principle that Robert struggles with for the entirety of his experiences at war. During the shelling of the stables, Captain Leather neglects the horses, but Robert is insistent/adamantdesperate to act.
In this moment, Robert faces a moral dilemma: obey the commands, although he disagrees, or do what he feels is right and be deemed a traitor. He makes the ultimate decision disobey the captain and free the horses, showing how Robert has neglected the laws of war but follows the laws of nature instead (citation). Soon after, Robert encounters Captain Leather face to face, and experiences an epiphany regarding man-animal relationships. Robert realizes that “if an animal had [committed murder]—we would call it mad and shoot it” (184). Robert recognizes the absurdity of the belief that humans are superior to animals, which makes it somehow acceptable for humans to create misery for innocent animals, such as the horses. This moment of realization is critical in Robert’s transcendence into a real soldier and a hero, as Robert fulfills his duty as soldier to protect the defenseless. In the beginning, the narrator says that “people can only be found in what they do," and this defiant act has defined the man that Robert bceomes. has become. The coyote and horses teach Robert that a true soldier is one that kills with reason and is dedicated to protecting the defenseless. Finally, animals help Robert understand life and develop his personal identity. To begin, saving the rat teaches Robert the essence of living. The rat changes Rob’s perspective on life, and what it means to be alive.
After the bombing of the trenches, Robert finds a rat trapped in the “waterlogged condition of the earth”. (127). Robert sets the rat free, but later questions if what he thought was an act of compassion “had [really] been a favour. ” The war causes Robert to question the world in which one is forced to live in. He sees the rat as the remaining bit of life and hope amid all the death. Just the word “alive was amazing”(reference page) to Robert, which is why he rescues the helpless animal. Robert’s experience with the rat teaches him the value of life, and inspires himto cherish his own existence. When facing near death, Robert demonstrates his strong will to survive. Marian Turner, Robert’s nurse, offers him euthanasia, but he refuses, saying, “Not yet” (citation). Robert treasures his life and continues to endure despite the severe hardships he has faced. In those two words, Turner says, “you have the essence of Robert Ross. And perhaps the essence of what it is to be alive (216). Secondly, the horses also teach Robert to accept his homosexuality. The connection between these animals and Robert’s sexuality is highlighted in various situations. Findley uses animal imagery and the symbolism of horses to emphasize the description of the homosexual act between Taffler and the Swede to describe the homosexual act between Taffler and the Swede and emphasize the symbolism of the horses. Taffler is depicted as “the horse” while the Swede is “the rider. ” When Robert witnesses this sight, he is overwhelmed and confused, likely because he does not understand his own sexuality and does not know how he should feel. Imagery of the horses reappears later in the novel, as Robert finds horses present beneath his hotel window when he masturbates.
The reoccurrence of the horses during sexual acts reinforces the symbolic connection between the animal and sexuality, specifically that of Robert. Then, while taking refuge in the barn with the abandoned horses he finds in Magdelene, Robert’s relationship with his identity takes a positive turn. Robert exclaims to Major Mickle, “we shall not be taken” (212). Robert’s “we” is an indication of his “newfound peace with all that horses symbolize for him” (McClelland 79). Though his sexuality is not directly addressed by the authour, the reader can infer that Robert’s repression of his homosexuality may be responsible for the war raging inside of him. He relies emotionally of the horses because of their unconditional acceptance of Robert for all that he is. This encourages Robert to finally acknowledge his complete identity. Robert accepts himself for who he is as a homosexual man. The rat and the horses help Robert understand the value of life, and the importance self-acceptance.
