Hello everyone! It is time, once again, for our discussion.
We had quite a bit going on in this particular section, but the upshot is that the warren needs does, neighboring warren Efrafa has them, and they will not be easily obtained. Efrafa is another example of clashing rabbit culture, as seen in its heavily militaristic attitude. The beginning of the book hinted at this, when the Sandleford warren's owsla was described as "rather military in character (though...not so military as some)." I wondered how likely a warren like Efrafa was to exist in real life; to me it seemed a bit beyond what rabbits could be cognitively capable of doing. The Marks in particular seemed to me to be a bit too methodical for a rabbit to come up with, whereas places like Cowslip's warren seemed a bit more realistic to me. However, it would not surprise me if different, real-life warrens were to adapt differently to different circumstances. I suppose it also wouldn't surprise me if rabbit kittens could be taught many different ways of life, and not just rely solely on instinct.
Of course, in real life rabbits probably also don't tell stories and have language, so I suppose a little bit more anthropomorphism isn't necessarily going to hurt.
Another theme played with in the section is the idea of domesticated rabbits. These rabbits are more often than not specifically bred for domesticity, which might mean that in real life they'd be too different to interact with wild species. In the context of the story, I would almost have imagined that the Nuthanger Farm rabbits would speak a similar but less comprehensible dialect of Lapine, if not speak a different language entirely. Still, it is good that we're getting some interaction between the two groups all the same.
For next time: Chapters 30-35 for Friday, October 2nd. This section is a bit longer, so if anyone wants me to extend the time by a day or two, just let me know. Also, the update probably won't come until evening, since I'll be working for most of the day that day, which hopefully will give everyone enough time to gather their thoughts.
'Till next time!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Watership Down Chapters 18-23 Discussion
Blast! It seems I have forgotten that I needed to make a blog post on Thursday! I thought I'd already started the chapter 18-23 discussion and that we were on the next section, that appears not to be the case. I deeply apologize for the delay.
So here we have some interaction between the rabbits and other species around them. I thought it was a bit of an interesting shift on the author's part: the last few chapters had them dealing with other rabbits; now we've moved to other populations. I also liked the lingua franca of the field, that the field mouse and Kehaar both used. It makes sense that there'd be some form of communication between the species, I thought, since species often work together, or compete, or otherwise affect one another. The thing is, though, there isn't a real human equivalent: humans only really interact with other humans (in that other animals don't really have any sort of language). Dunno why I found that interesting, I just did.
Also...did anyone else find Holly's story to be incredibly chilling? The hair stood up on the back of my neck when he first came to the down, and in my opinion, one of the more powerful lines in the book is "It wasn't I who tried to arrest you, Bigwig--that was another rabbit, long, long ago." You never really realize just what sort of torment species go through when their habitat is destroyed until you see it from their point of view (well...a dramatized, somewhat anthropomorphic point of view).
The next hardship we're going to be seeing coming into play is breeding. This has been touched upon in the last chapter, but the warren's in need of does. We'll see how they handle that in the next few chapters.
Next reading: Chapters 24-29 for Sunday, September 27th. See you next time!
So here we have some interaction between the rabbits and other species around them. I thought it was a bit of an interesting shift on the author's part: the last few chapters had them dealing with other rabbits; now we've moved to other populations. I also liked the lingua franca of the field, that the field mouse and Kehaar both used. It makes sense that there'd be some form of communication between the species, I thought, since species often work together, or compete, or otherwise affect one another. The thing is, though, there isn't a real human equivalent: humans only really interact with other humans (in that other animals don't really have any sort of language). Dunno why I found that interesting, I just did.
Also...did anyone else find Holly's story to be incredibly chilling? The hair stood up on the back of my neck when he first came to the down, and in my opinion, one of the more powerful lines in the book is "It wasn't I who tried to arrest you, Bigwig--that was another rabbit, long, long ago." You never really realize just what sort of torment species go through when their habitat is destroyed until you see it from their point of view (well...a dramatized, somewhat anthropomorphic point of view).
The next hardship we're going to be seeing coming into play is breeding. This has been touched upon in the last chapter, but the warren's in need of does. We'll see how they handle that in the next few chapters.
Next reading: Chapters 24-29 for Sunday, September 27th. See you next time!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Watership Down Chapters 12-17 discussion
Hey all,
Again, sorry about the lateness. It is now discussion time!
So, Cowslip's warren. I thought it was one of the more interesting parts of the book, in my opinion, mostly because there's more than just a hint of culture. Because of the warren's unique circumstances, the rabbits there have created a society based on avoidance and denial. What ultimately makes this interesting is that it's not entirely far removed from real life: animals without a doubt adapt their lifestyles to different environments. Those who cannot adapt must leave, or risk death.
This is also the point of the book where the dynamics of all the Sandleford rabbits are tested. Fiver's complete and total aversion to Cowslip's warren is completely at odds with the rest of the group, who only want security. He and Bigwig in particular seemed to butt heads: Bigwig always strikes me as the kind of character who doesn't put a whole lot of merit on "bad feelings" and premonitions. The rest of the rabbits, too, are simply exhausted by their whole idea and wish to settle down. It reminded me a lot of human group dynamics; I'm sure many of you have experienced much the same sorts of problems as the Sandleford rabbits.
All right, I think that's all I have for now. Next discussion will be Thursday, September 17, for chapters 18-23. Hopefully this is acceptable to everyone.
Till next time,
Ellen
Again, sorry about the lateness. It is now discussion time!
So, Cowslip's warren. I thought it was one of the more interesting parts of the book, in my opinion, mostly because there's more than just a hint of culture. Because of the warren's unique circumstances, the rabbits there have created a society based on avoidance and denial. What ultimately makes this interesting is that it's not entirely far removed from real life: animals without a doubt adapt their lifestyles to different environments. Those who cannot adapt must leave, or risk death.
This is also the point of the book where the dynamics of all the Sandleford rabbits are tested. Fiver's complete and total aversion to Cowslip's warren is completely at odds with the rest of the group, who only want security. He and Bigwig in particular seemed to butt heads: Bigwig always strikes me as the kind of character who doesn't put a whole lot of merit on "bad feelings" and premonitions. The rest of the rabbits, too, are simply exhausted by their whole idea and wish to settle down. It reminded me a lot of human group dynamics; I'm sure many of you have experienced much the same sorts of problems as the Sandleford rabbits.
All right, I think that's all I have for now. Next discussion will be Thursday, September 17, for chapters 18-23. Hopefully this is acceptable to everyone.
Till next time,
Ellen
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Watership Down Chapters 1-11 Discussion
Hello everyone! Since it is September 8, it is time to go ahead and get our first discussion going. Sorry it's a bit late, but there were real life things I needed to get taken care of.
Anyway, I'll just post my own thoughts, then I'll let everyone else take it away.
I really loved the way setting plays a large part in the story. Richard Adams does a very good job describing a place, and then putting the rabbits within it. You get the impression that these were the types of things that he himself grew up with, and that what he's really describing is his own home.
The level of anthropomorphism is also something I find particularly interesting in this book. He gives the rabbits (as well as other animals) a culture, as well as a language, but at the same time, the rabbits aren't running around in clothing or trying to establish themselves as different or rebellious. Indeed, the rebellion that happens in the story (Hazel, Fiver, et. al running from the Sandleford Warren) is done only out of necessity, and not out of a mere desire for something more. They have human qualities, but very rabbit-like ones as well.
One thing's for certain: it's a somewhat darker book than you'd expect, considering it's about rabbits. It's not the Wind in the Willows--it's more a tale of survival and courage than anything else.
Mmkay, that's all I got for now. Have fun!
Anyway, I'll just post my own thoughts, then I'll let everyone else take it away.
I really loved the way setting plays a large part in the story. Richard Adams does a very good job describing a place, and then putting the rabbits within it. You get the impression that these were the types of things that he himself grew up with, and that what he's really describing is his own home.
The level of anthropomorphism is also something I find particularly interesting in this book. He gives the rabbits (as well as other animals) a culture, as well as a language, but at the same time, the rabbits aren't running around in clothing or trying to establish themselves as different or rebellious. Indeed, the rebellion that happens in the story (Hazel, Fiver, et. al running from the Sandleford Warren) is done only out of necessity, and not out of a mere desire for something more. They have human qualities, but very rabbit-like ones as well.
One thing's for certain: it's a somewhat darker book than you'd expect, considering it's about rabbits. It's not the Wind in the Willows--it's more a tale of survival and courage than anything else.
Mmkay, that's all I got for now. Have fun!
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