Discussion: The Wars by Timothy Findley

Posted: March 27th, 2020

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Discussion: The Wars by Timothy Findley

The Use of Different Perspectives in Timothy Findley’s The Wars

The use of different narrative perspectives in The Wars ensures that the audience exhibits attention towards the story, comprehends, and assesses the pertinent details within each chapter of the novel as well as the character’s viewpoint.

Why does Findley choose to write his novel this way?

In essence, the application of different perspectives allows the reader to empathize and understand each character. In the first person narrative, the reader is able to focus on Marian Turner as well as her initial thoughts regarding Robert Ross.

What is the effect of each narrative perspective?

As established in The Wars, Turner surmises, “Anyway, because of what happened I can’t remark about the face – but my impression was of somebody extremely well made who cared about his body” (Findley 14). With this, the reader perceives Ross from Turner’s perspective. Consequently, the second person and third person narrative viewpoints enable the author to include the audience by shifting the experience towards them. Furthermore, the latter perspective allows the reader to view the story from the perspectives of multiple characters in the novel.

People can only be found in what they do

People can only be found in what they do is means an expression of personality and character is most visible when carrying out a task. For instance prior to her passing, Ross promised Rowena that she and the rabbits would be protected from harm. This reveals a compassionate and empathic side while carrying out her duties.

Symbolism in Timothy Findley’s The Wars

Symbolism assumes an essential role in Timothy Findley’s The Wars. While most of the symbols may come across as implausible and useless due to the author’s unusual framework, Findley manages to utilize symbols in the novel in an effort to offer a meaningful tale that forces the reader to ponder on similar images within their respective lives. In fact, each symbol offers the reader with a chance of empathizing with Robert Ross. The symbols of the birds, the horse, and the rabbits are essential to the narrative based on the way they represent different elements of the protagonist’s life.

Symbolism is first illustrated by the inclusion of rabbits in the novel. In an effort to understand the protagonist’s character, the rabbits are used to depict the character, Rowena, and Ross’ longing for her due to her love for the respective creatures. Prior to her passing, Ross promised Rowena that she and the rabbits would be protected from harm (Findley 18). However, Rowena passes and Ross is left with the animals, which function akin to a representation of the character and a reminder of the protagonist’s heartfelt nature to a significant extent.

Aside from the rabbits, Findley also applies horses as a core symbolic element of the narrative. When told to “put away” a horse that had suffered an injury, Ross is apparently distressed, as he “had never squeezed a trigger against a living creature in the whole of his life” (Findley 57). Furthermore, the horse acts akin to a symbol of Rowena – an innocent woman who suffered death because of her physical impairment. In essence, the horse is a representation of the struggles that the protagonist is facing as an outcome of his situation.

Lastly, the birds play a pertinent role in the narrative based on the way they allow him to evade death. They present themselves to the protagonist as a caution particularly in the event of impending danger. For instance, after flocks of birds materialize in front of him, Ross nearly dies when he plunges into sinking mud (Findley 80). In another illustration, Ross manages to avoid death when a bird appears in front of him as well as his fellow soldiers and begins to make noises. In both situations, the birds assume an essential role in Ross’ life, specifically the capacity to avert death.

In conclusion, symbolism is an imperative aspect of The Wars by Timothy Findley. The use of animals in the novel allows the author to deliver the narrative despite the unusual framework that he utilizes as illustrated by the use of different narrative perspectives. With the application of animal symbols, specifically the rabbits, the injured horse, and the birds, Findley manages to represent the different aspects of the protagonist’s life by depicting his struggles and his affinity towards nature. These symbols eventually manage to resonate with the audience by allowing them to associate the images with their lives.

Work Cited

Findley, Timothy. The Wars. Clarke, Irwin & Company, 1977.