Why is the title "The Wars" Significant?

Is it the physical aspect?

So what is the significance of the title The Wars? 

The Wars in this novel are not only confined to the parameters of physical war, but Findley clinically presents to us the wars between humans and the natural elements, and ultimately the war between a man and himself as he seeks to find acceptance in a world that is crumbling all around him, the story of Robert Ross. The massive world war is an obvious reference in the novel. This is exemplified through the “houses, trees and fields of flax” which “once flourished here. Summers had been blue with flowers. Now it was a shallow sea of stinking gray from end to end. And this is where you fought the war.” (70). This symbolizes how thousands of innocent lives were taken, and how areas were forced to meet the fate of destruction, due to the war, causing it to be impossible to fix things back to what they were. The term “Wars” implies there is more than just one war – there are internal wars. One of the most significant “wars” is Mrs. Ross’ war against the pain of loss. Having to lose her daughter, Rowena as well as the thought of potentially losing Robert while he is serving overseas with the army, I believe, are truly heartbreaking moments.

The Element: Water

The title seems to be referring not to the actual physical combats that took place during the war but to the internal, psychological battles that took place in the minds of the soldiers who suffered from the effects of violence and inhumanity during the war. However, Findley is also successful in evoking the physical torment suffered by the soldiers in the trenches. Robert’s increasingly fragile frame of mind during the novel, and his difficulty in coming to terms with the world in which he finds himself, is indicative of this internal struggle. This struggle is also one that applies to those who remained behind on the home front and the families who made the ultimate sacrifices during the war. The title of the book gives insight into life as a general theme. There seems to be a constant battle, or a 'war' between destruction or death and life. This is evident throughout the novel with the rabbits, the horses on the boat, the death Robert witnesses at war, and at the end, his attempt to save the horses. I think the title can be applied in a literal sense to World War I; the title can also refer to Robert’s internal conflicts, and also apply to the general theme of war between life and death.  It is as if Robert is fighting the war for life, whether human, animal or both.  It’s a pretty interesting correlation between the title and theme. Robert becomes mentally unstable as his mind constantly attacks him with the guilt surrounding the death of his sister, Rowena. This mentally unstable state of Robert is also shown when he is ordered to kill the horse that had broken its leg.  After some hesitation, Robert finally shoots the horse continuously, until the horse is dead and until all his bullets are used up. Furthermore, Robert’s departure from his home town signals a significant change in his family, whose members particularly his mother and father – become isolated from their connective thread – Robert – who is no longer present.

The Element: fire

Moreover, The Wars illustrates what can happen to men and women whose destinies are determined by circumstances that are beyond their power and understanding. Ross is constantly at battle with his morals throughout the novel; he is at war with himself.  From the beginning of the novel, he debates with his feelings of guilt about Rowena and her rabbits. He is also battling with his morals when he is taken to the whorehouse.  He feels guilt, shame and embarrassment and doesn’t feel like he should be there. Robert is also in a war against the elements of nature in this book, the elements being: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water (does this ring a bell to those who take anthropology?). Robert falls into a sinkhole and barely pulls himself out, which is a test against earth and water. He and his troops are faced with a battle against the poisonous chlorine gas, which is a test against air. Lastly, Robert is burned by the fire engulfing the barn, which is a test against fire. Robert is left disfigured, which shows a transformation in his character as fire is the agent of transformation and regeneration.