Upon reading the novel, I had stumbled upon an answer in
which I had asked what the other “wars” could refer to. As guessed, the wars
did not just define physical challenges of the Great War, but the emotional obstacles
faced. However, to my surprise, Timothy Findley placed this struggle upon other
characters and not just the protagonist, Robert Ross. Many of the instances are
exclusive to Mrs. Ross, as you witness her emotional struggle to maintain order
and stability in her life. Through the course of the plot, you find the
transformation of Robert’s mother, as her morality and character breaks down. For
instance, although you are not given much detail on her, the reader assumes she
was well and capable of herself, later changing to a closed and insecure woman.
The first case of such alteration occurred after Robert’s announcement of
joining the army. Shortly after, Mrs. Ross faced a nervous breakdown, as she
quietly left the church, disgusted at how the other church-goers sang their
children off to death as if celebratory. Despite, the straight forwardness of
these events, my answer was confirmed as Timothy Findley laid out the words in
front of us to read, “And this is what they called the wars.” For this particular
line, Mrs. Ross could not bear to wave off Robert as he had departed on his
ship. Similar to the idea of my prior posts, depression has been a war in which
Timothy Findley has made his characters fight.
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