THE WARS horror of war and murder

Murder During War

"I still maintain that an ordinary human being has the right to be horrified by a mangled body seen on an afternoon walk." - Findley 

Murder is wrong and horrible regardless of reason. War is no excuse and does not justify murder. The war resulted in mass death on both sides and the presence of death was constant during war however the sight of a body or news of a soldiers death should cause an unpleasant reaction despite the frequency of these occurrences during war. This quote emphasizes both the horrible sights of bodies seen during war as well as the reactions rightfully experienced.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBhAUr-8zDc

This song, written by Neil Young and Graham Nash, describes the horror and devastation of War. The song is about the war in Vietnam and mocks the man you says he can put an end to war by causing more violence. We learn this from the line, "Our minds are sleeping in the sea, blow those bridges down, blow that jungle down, and kill those Vietnamese". This line displays the horror of war because with one simple demand, many soldiers murder innocent people and destroy cities. ALL IT TAKES IS ONE DEMAND and thousands can die! How can this be right or accepted?




This image shows a soldier looking over a dead body. This picture is very powerful as it is semi-gruesome and relates the damage of war but more significantly, it proves the effect murder has on an individual. Whether or not this soldier committed this killing or is the victims brother does no influence the message, people are generally affected by death. Death captures the souls of others and is horrifying to witness. War results in mass and unnecessary murder and affects all.



This quote by Albert Einstein, a well known GENIUS,  directly highlights (literally) the message of the blog. Murder is wrong and war is not an excuse, justification or cover up. It is immoral to kill. To kill innocent people in war is as wrong as if it was not war. War is wrong and horrifying because innocent people are killed but the killer is often overseen because his defense states that his actions are merely a command or tactic in war.

Wars blog Stupidity of War

Stupidity of War

The main message the novel, The Wars, by Timothy Findley relays to the reader is the stupidity of war and that is causes harm to both sides regardless of land gains or victories.

"Nothing had been won" -Findley

 

This quote sums up the main idea of the novel. There is no victory in war as both sides suffer unimaginable tolls. Thousands murdered can not produce a winner and with this simple line the novel succeeds in relaying this message. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dKAX7Jp8wo

The song, War by Edwin Starr explains the purpose of war, being good for absolutely nothing. Robert agrees with these lyrics. He forms such strong relationships with the Animals because the do not have war between one an other. Robert finds great fault with humanity and doubts there to be any good in humans because they affiliate themselves with war. 

 

This is a very powerful image that emphasizes the stupidity of war. The original photo was a poster printed in 1916 promoting Americans to join the army. The words have been changed to present the truth of war. Political figures persuade citizens to sacrifice their lives for the benefit of power seekers. This image does succeeds in exemplifying the stupidity and wrongfulness of war. 

"You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake" - Jeannette Rankin 

Once again this quote mocks war and proves that it cant be won. If both sides suffer thousands of lives lost, families ruined and buildings and cities destroyed, how can one declare a victory? She compares the Victory of war to that of an earthquake meaning there is none. 

                                                                               

Symbolism of Animals:

 Animals appear regularly in the novel, The Wars, by Timothy Findley. The novel uses animals to demonstrate the faults of war, present the mood and as symbols of peace, freedom and happiness. Robert constantly expresses his admiration for animals and values them more than humans.


   “People speak sometimes about the "bestial" cruelty of man, but that is terribly unjust and offensive to beasts, no animal could ever be so cruel as a man, so artfully, so artistically cruel.”  
                                                                                              - Fyodor Dostoyevsky


This quote well describes the message that Findley conveys. Throughout the novel, Robert shows affection to Animals primarily because of his hatred to humans during war. Robert disagrees with war and finds it useless with no winner. The horrible experiences he witnesses during war strengthen his love for animals because he admires their lifestyle. He is raped and encounters horrifying inhumane acts during war which result in his loathing to humans and love for animals.    



This image shows a sleeping soldier and his horse. This image depicts the relationship between man and animal during war in two ways. The horse continues to watch over and protect his owner while he sleeps. This shows the close connection between the two, which can help us understand why Robert felt so close to the animals. Secondly, this image signifies the stupidity and uselessness of war. This message is relayed by showing the horse protecting the man in an empty and vast field. Why should the man worry and require protection? Because another man could come and kill this innocent man while he sleeps. That reason sounds stupid and it is because war is stupid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrxZhWCAuQw

The song Blackbird by the Beatles, Like in the novel, uses birds as symbols aimed to persuade moods and messages. In this song, the Blackbird  represents a black person and the song is about civil rights and desegregation. The song also uses the bird to send a message of hope and life as does Timothy Findley in the novel.

"Robert was running with the horses" - Findley, 157

This quote demonstrates Roberts relationship with the animals. Robert is physically but furthermore mentally and spiritually running with the horses because he prefers there peaceful and war-less lifestyle of that of humanity. This characteristic is so dominant that he cares for the life of the animals more than his own soldiers. In this passage, the horses represent the higher being, the better and more peaceful creature.