Robert Ross Symbolism in The Wars Book

Robert Ross is a sensitive, private boy; last person you would expect to sign up to fight in World War One. In The Wars by Timothy Findley, symbols are used in conjunction with Ross’ story to cause readers to reflect on symbols in their own lives, and to allow then to dive deeper into the world of an innocent boy who is placed into a cruel war. The various symbols in The Wars provide for a graphic and reflective reading experience by emphasizing Robert’s connection with nature, his past, and his experiences during the war.
Throughout the book, it is shown that Robert has a special connection with animals and the environment. The many animals he encounters throughout the story are symbols which reflect on him and his actions. After Robert accidentally kills the German sniper who spared the life of him and his men, he feels guilty for taking an innocent life. This is reflected in nature by the bird which “sang and sang and sang, till Robert rose and walked away. The sound of it would haunt him to the day he died.” (Findley 131) This scene uses the readers’ knowledge of Robert’s deep emotional connections with animals to emphasize the sadness and guilt that he felt after shooting the German. Robert is often shown as innocent and caring, traits he shares with animals. Rodwell realizes this and draws a picture of Robert in his sketchbook (otherwise full of animal sketches), although “the shading was not quite human” (Findley 138). In the sketch, Rodwell is able to show both the human and non-human side of Robert. Finally, Robert’s strong love for Rowena, his sister, is mainly because of her innocence. As a result of her disability, she is innocent and naïve like a child or animal; she relies on Robert to be “her guardian” (Findley 10)....

... middle of paper ...

...hemes, all of which are represented with symbols, mainly revolving around the central character of Robert Ross and the complicated relationships he has with the natural world, his past, and the perils of war. It is through the symbols of the book which Findley is able to address the issues of ethics, guilt, and the past, mainly through the personal struggles faced by Robert in the novel. Robert Ross and the symbols associated with him serve an important message: to fight for what is right, yet not let the evils of life corrupt and destroy one’s self.

Works Cited

“Book Review | The Wars by Timothy Findley; Out of the Shadows: Canada in the Second World War by W. A. B. Douglas and Brereton Greenhous | Canadian Literature.” N. p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014.
Findley, Timothy. The Wars. Penguin Group (Canada), 2005. Print.
“Timothy Findley.” N. p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2014.