Hazel and Bigwig were based off of two WWll officers Adams knew in the military during his part as a soldier before he retired and became an author.<ul><li> Hazel was inspired by Adams’ commanding officer, Major John Gifford, a man he described as “brave in the most self-effacing way” and an who rarely raised his voice. </li><li>Captain Desmond Kavanagh was the inspiration for the iconic Bigwig. Adams wrote, “afraid of nothing“ and “by nature entirely the public’s image of a parachute officer” just like his officer role in the story.</li></ul>Gifford survived the war but Captain Desmond Kavanagh did not.

A random fact

«All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.»

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝑬𝒍-𝒂𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒉

Animals don't behave like men, If they have to fight, they fight; and if they have to kill they kill. But they don't sit down and set their wits to work to devise ways of spoiling other creatures' lives and hurting them. They have dignity and animality.

So, through all these rabbit warrens, the author seems to be looking for the ideal leader. Probably El-ahrairah and Hazel, who are both trying to save their people even by losing their lives for it.

Seeking the right leader.

-There's terrible evil in the world."-It comes from men," said Holly. "All other elil do what they have to do and Frith moves them as he moves us. They live on the earth and they need food. Men will never rest till they've spoiled the earth and destroyed the animals.

Throughout the book, violence against animals is highlighted. The author seems to want to emphasize the destruction man has done to nature and animals. However, we also see violence among animals, specifically the thousand enemies of rabbits. This kind of violence is a natural need for survival as opposed to humans.

Violence between and against animals.

Efrafa is a totalitarian warren ruled by a ruthless military leader. General Woundwort isn't afraid of flaunting his control over the warren. He maintains his power through intimidation, bribery, and torture. It reminds of a junta. Although the security system seems to work for the safety of the rabbits, the rabbits themselves live oppressed by the situation imposed on them by violence. Naturally, in such a lifestyle, some rabbits start to rebel.

Efrafa

It serves as an analogy for communism. The rabbits in the warren are exposed to constant propaganda and are not allowed to voice any complaints about the way the warren is run. Death permeates their society, but the rabbits have been tricked into believing that everyone is equal and that their community is a utopia. In general, rabbits seem to "blind themselves" to what is going on; they are distant from God (Frith), tradition, and generally try to escape from reality.

Warren of Snares

The Watership Down Warren is the closest thing to a democracy in the novel. Hazel is elected as chief rabbit because he cares about the other rabbits and has done an admirable job attending to their welfare.

Watership Down Warren

In the story Black Rabbit of Inlè, El-ahrairah returns home after a long time, but things have changed. When he asks some young men about the war, they laugh at him. The war? What war? After, when El-ahrairah talks to God (Frith), he says:«I am not angry. But I have learned that with creatures one loves, suffering is not the only thing for which one may pity them. A rabbit who does not know when a gift has made him safe is poorer than a slug, even though he may think otherwise himself.»So too, sometimes we forget those who fought for us and we take our freedom for granted. But is it?

Forget the past that set you free?

"Even though the characters are bunnies, they act like real people, except they look like bunnies. But what brings them all together is teamwork.At first, the group doesn't seem very close, but by the end of the book, they're tight. It's because when you're in a group, you really get to know everyone's true colors. For a group to bond, each member needs to realize that everyone's skills are crucial for everyone's survival, just like our characters do.And the most important part is that when you're in a group, you grow with it. You focus on improving together and let go of selfishness.

The importance of teamwork and self-development within it.

Who wants to hear about brave deeds when he’s ashamed of his own, and who likes an open, honest tale from someone he’s deceiving?”

Each rabbit warren that our heroes come across appear to provide insights into a particular societal structure, whether it be from the past or present times. <ul><li>Sandleford Warren</li><li>Efrafa</li><li>Watership Down Warren</li><li>Warren of Snares</li></ul>

Rabbits and today's society.

Sandleford Warren is run like a monarchy, with the chief rabbit overseeing all of the warren's operations. There is a set class system with limited mobility. Rabbits in the higher ranks are allowed to bully the lower-ranking members of their society without repercussions. It also seems to be a 'society' which, in order to face a danger, has to see it. They do not believe in superstitions and visions.

Sandleford Warren

In this post, I will give some ideas about the book 'Watership Down' by Richard Adams. Although many consider the book 'children's', it actually has a lot of hidden symbolism about life and society, including wandering and teamwork.

Puffin Clothbound Classics are stunning collectable hardback editions of some of the best-loved classics in the world - including this irresistible edition of Watership Down. Be cunning, and full of tricks - Richard Adams Fiver is very worried. He senses something terrible is about to happen to the warren, the only home he's ever known. While the other rabbits ignore him, his big brother Hazel knows that Fiver's instincts are always right... They must leave immediately. Fiver leads the rabbits on a thrilling quest through the human world to their new home, Watership Down, where they must work together to overcome their biggest challenge yet.

Sandleford Warren

Similar ideas to Sandleford Warren

The Challenge of Cultural Change