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.