Character Analysis Of Robert Ross In 'The Wars'

In the novel "The Wars", Timothy Findly suggests that as a person is tested in life, there response to compelling circumstances show the nature of their character, the innocence or brutality with in them. Robert Ross, is the main character in the novel and goes through many character testing events throughout. war inherently changes people and Robert is no exception.

Rowena is Roberts handicapped older sister, she is a symbol of purity and innocence to Robert, and anchors him to kindness and compassion. Rowena is closely associated with the colour white, she is pictured with "white rabbits" and even at her funeral her "coffin [is] white'' in a blanket of snow. Roberts love for Rowena keeps him pure and focused and this is why he cares for
Robert is an innately kind person despite the fact he has had very few normal relationships. Everyone he has ever loved either can not return the sentiment or dies and leaves him alone in the world yet again. His first experience of lose is when his sister dies and he deals with this by going to war, and find what it is to be a man. This reaction is not unreasonable it just shows Robert is striving to be an outstanding citizen and deal with his loss. When Robert is on the boat to Europe, he is ordered to shoot a horse injured during a storm at sea. Robert is deeply conflicted, as an animal and nature lover, destroying something he cared for and attended to left him deeply torn. Roberts innocence is shown when he questions, "what ever it [is] you kill in wars," buy having to redder to "Chums" and an image of "a cowboy shooting a horse behind the ear" when it came time to kill the injured animal. Robert has no idea how to kill another living thing and it pained him to do so. Having to shoot the horse left him not only emotionally damaged, but physically as well, Robert injured his legs and had to be moved to the sick bay along with his good friend Harris. The already strong relationship between Harris and Robert only strengthened when they spent time in the Royal free Hospital. As Robert recovered Harris' only worsened, Robert continued to visit Harris,
to make a Robert initially attempts a strategic retreat in order to save the horses, but Capt. Leather refuses, saying it would make them look weak. Robbert does not take this as a valid reason and consults with Devlin who concurs that the horses and mules must be saved when the artillery shell start making direct hits on the Head Quarters. As Robert reached the gates to free the animals, three shells exploded in succession and tossed Robbert and Leather away, all the horses were either dead or dieing, he stood "looking at the whole scene laid out before him and his anger rose to such a pitch that he feared he was going to go over into madness." At this time Captain Leather began to regain his footing, "Robert shot him between the eyes." this is the beginning of Robert's turn to madness and brutality. The town of Bailleul was devastated by German artillery strikes, just as it reopened to ships from North America, this left men and animals alike stranded and in fear for their lives. As Robert wanders, AWOL and a traitor to his country, he comes across a lone horse and a dog. Robert is animalistic now, "[sitting] on his haunches" watching the pair. Robert finds a train full of horses and begins to lead them to what he thinks is safety. On his way Robert encounters some other solders,