Welcome to my blog! Now that I'm almost done reading the novel The Wars, I can post some useful interpretations which will help me when it comes to the exam in the end. I'm excited about this as this is my first time posting on my own personal blog.
Here are some opening thoughts:
The Wars, set during the historical period of World War One, revolves around the protagonist, Robert Ross’s, quest for self identity in a world gripped by the horrors of the Great War. What I found really intriguing was the way the story was narrated; the story is not told in chronological order but rather it seems to me like pieces of puzzles forming as the novel progresses. Each character explains particular events from their perspective. The aspect of individual vs. society is a prominent theme in the novel, which specifically deals with the struggles of all individuals in the novel but in particular, the protagonist Robert Ross. Ross struggles with his sexuality, manhood, and heroism, all of which are uncovered by the end of his psychological quest. Findley’s post-modern techniques of narration of construction of plot allow the reader to undergo Ross’s journey with him, piecing together his collage of a life as he himself searches for his identity. His use of photographs, transcripts, and letters allows for no clear portrayal of Robert Ross, forcing interpretation. It is evident that Robert must face the challenges of war in order for him to gain insight by the end of the novel. Through the individualistic descriptions of the war, Findley parallels the individual’s struggle as a microcosm to social and political war, criticizing the restriction and destruction of war, which is ultimately a metaphor for society. In my next post, I will be talking about how the title is significant in that it's not just restricted to the parameters of the physical aspects of the war.
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