English
Animal reference and imagery is strong throughout Timothy Findley¡¦s novel The Wars.
The main character Robert feels a true connection to animals; his sensitivity towards
them is evident throughout the novel.
Roberts encounter with the coyote is confirmation of his sense of communion
with animals. Although most people would feel threatened by the presence of this
animal, Robert does not; rather, he decides to follow it. When they both reach the
destination, Robert observes respectfully. The passage on page 27 shows that the
coyote might have the same sense of communion and respect. Findley writes:
¡§Then it looked directly at him-right at Robert, with its tail slightly lowered-and barked.
Then the tail began to wag. The coyote had known he was there the whole time...it was
telling Robert the valley was vacant: safe-and that Robert could proceed to the water¡¦s
edge to drink. It barked three times-a precise announcement it was leaving.¡¨ (27)
Roberts and the coyote shared in an abstract conversation, a sort of mutual respect.
The character, Rodwell, is somewhat a reflection of Robert; they both share
an intense connection with animals. I believe Rodwell¡¦s purpose in the novel was to
reinstate that we (humans) are not ¡¥above¡¦ animals. Findley describes cleverly, ¡§Of
maybe a hundred sketches, Robert¡¦s was the only human form. Modified and mutated-he
was one with the others. What had Rodwell meant by this?¡¨ (138) Well, I think Rodwell
meant that we are not separate from animals; life-any form of life- is life nonetheless.
Perhaps Findley is saying that our perception of animals as ¡¥savage¡¦ should be
revised. It is so interesting that the coyote did not stop to hunt the two gophers (25), but
instead, trotted past them, ¡§...forward towards its goal.¡¨...
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