Wars By Timothy Findley Essay Research Paper

Wars By Timothy Findley Essay, Research Paper

The Wars together much like a puzzle. When piecing together a puzzle it is

crucial to first find the corner pieces. As when trying to understand the novel

it is necessary to realize what the most important aspects are. Each separate

corner holds together and is linked to another part. Therefore, to understand

the pieces of the puzzle it is vital to analyze Roberts relationship with his

mother, his sister and his father. Furthermore, an attempt will be made to

reveal the strengths and weaknesses in these relationships and the meanings

Timothy Findley is trying to proclaim. To best understand Robert’s relationship

with his mother Mrs. Ross, one must look at their relationship from the

perspective of Mrs. Ross. It is her interpretations and ensuing reactions to the

tragic events of the novel that reveal the most to the reader about Robert’s

relationship with her. Mrs. Ross is portrayed as an adamant woman in the

beginning of The Wars, yet as the story progresses, her firmness is broken by

various tragedies. Mrs. Ross found it hard to be intimate with people therefore,

she kept many things to herself. She felt that "Being loved was letting

others feed from your resource-all you had in life was put in jeopardy"

(Findley, 153). Mrs. Ross had mourned for years over the sudden death of her

brother and her father, now she had lost a daughter and was going to lose a son.

It is also evident she kept a lot of things to herself. At Rowena’s funeral she

stood apart from the rest of the family pretending she did not need any help.

Mrs. Ross hid behind a large, black hat that day. Before Rowena’s death and

Robert leaving for the war Mrs. Ross used to be out in the public, handing out

chocolate bars to the soldiers going off to war. However, when Robert left to

join the army Mrs. Ross refused to have anything to do with it. Mrs. Ross was an

adamant lady. She was adamant when it came to chocolate bars and she was adamant

when it came to her decision about Robert having to kill Rowena’s rabbits. After

the death of Robert’s sister Rowena, the Ross family seems to be broken. Family

members question whose fault it was that she fell and who should ultimately be

held responsible. Mrs. Ross comes across as being envious of her son and

daughter’s relationship because Robert and Rowena had a relationship where

Robert was like a parent (guardian) to Rowena. Robert also was very protective

of Rowena and always showed his concern for her, like Mrs. Ross did for all her

children but more so towards Robert. Consequently, Robert being the closest to

Rowena becomes the reason Mrs. Ross decides he will to be the one who would take

the responsibility of killing the rabbits. Mrs. Ross’ decision to burden Robert

with this inhuman act and furthermore, his failure to do so, leads to the most

revealing monologue relevant to their relationship. ‘You think Rowena belonged

to you. Well I’m here to tell you, Robert no on belongs to anyone. We’re all cut

off at birth with a knife and left at the mercy of strangers. You hear that.

Strangers. I know what you want to do. I know you’re going to go away and be a

soldier. Well- you can go to hell. I’m not responsible. I’m just another

stranger. Birth I can give you- but life I cannot. I can’t keep anyone alive.

Not anymore’ (Findley, 23). The pessimistic tone of Mrs. Ross’ monologue can be

attributed to the fact that Rowena just died and that Robert has chosen to

condemn himself to death, however, this also reveals much about her relationship

with Robert. In addition, Robert’s decision to enlist in the war is not approved

by Mrs. Ross. Her reaction is one of denial and a failure as a parent.. Her

words, "you can go to hell", in reality, show her true love and care

for Robert, yet in a vulgar way. She cares so much for him that she can not bear

the thought of him leaving, hence she directs her anger at him. Mrs. Ross missed

her son when he went to war. She started taking long walks. She may have tried

this to clear her mind. When Robert started training he would go for long walks

at night as well. Perhaps both tried this method to clear their minds of the

problems they were facing. Although it may have not worked for Mrs. Ross. She

started walking in storms perhaps hoping that the storm would distract her.

Furthermore, she began to drink heavily and had to hide herself by wearing large

hats with veils, and dark glasses. The novel occasionally breaks form and lets

the reader know how the war has affected Roberts’ family primarily his mother.

Mrs. Ross drove herself to insanity and drunkenness with each day that Robert

was gone. This is best illustrated whenever Findley focuses on the issue of Mrs.

Ross and her "empty glass". Some examples are: Mrs. Ross stared at her

empty glass. How long had it been empty. Hours.

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