The Wars

Chapter & Event Catalogue

Part 1

  • Chapter 1: narrator introduced, attempt to piece together Robert’s story → most of his impressions are based on the record of what he’s done.

  • Chapter 2: laying out the evidence

  • Chapter 3: establish setting of war-time Toronto; Marian Turner’s interview portraying Robert as heroic

  • Chapter 4: at the train station, Robeort is unsure if he should join the war. He chooses to.

  • Chapter 5: death of Rowena

  • Chapter 6: rationalization of Rowena’s death, it was Robert’s fault as her guardian. Rowena had to be there forever. Now, forever had ended and Rowena’s rabbits had to be killed by Robert, as ordered by Mrs. Ross.

  • Chapter 7: Mrs. Ross wants Robert to kill the rabbits, symbolizing the end of his responsibility for Rowena. Preparation for war conversation.

  • Chapter 9: Robert attacks Teddy Budge when he comes to kill the rabbits; Robert is violent when he cannot comprehend things.

  • Chapter 10: Mrs. Ross’ last conversation with Robert before he enlists; he’s just not ready.

  • Chapter 11: Robert is stationed in Lethbridge for infantry training and attempts to acclimate; doesn’t like it and equates it to physical education at school.

  • Chapter 12: Robert’s brief encounter with a coyote, symbolizing escape. The coyote brings him to a shallow pond.

  • Chapter 13: Robert and Clifford Purchas go hunting for two missing horses. They meet Eugene Taffler, whom is a war hero and is capable of breaking bottles. Robert reveres him and sees it necessary to dehumanize the enemy → contradicting.

  • Chapter 14: Robert writes to his father asking him for a gun.

  • Chapter 15: They go to Lousetown and are introduced to a brothel. He recognizes Taffler’s horse and dog outside.

  • Chapter 16: Robert has sex with a Ella, a prostitute. He covers his eyes because he cannot reconcile his dwindling innocence.

  • Chapter 17: Robert sees Taffler having sex with the Swedish man, being beaten. Robert cannot comprehend the situation and throws a water jug across the room expressing violence. Taffler being beaten implies a sense of guilt post-war.

  • Chapter 18: Robert takes the train towards Kingston and sees how his city has changed as the war effort went on.

  • Chapter 19: Robert is promoted to be an officer for the 39th Battery Canadian Expeditionary Force. An allusion to Kaiser Wilhelm is made, implying that the war would not be short.

  • Chapter 20: Discussion of Robert’s fragility as he tried to embody hero Longboat in running marathons.

  • Chapter 21: introduction to the S.S. Massanabie, introduction to Captain Ord, Clifford Purchas and Harris from Sydney, Nova Scotia. Writes back to his father asking for an automatic Webley gun.

  • Chapter 22: Mrs. Ross coping chapter — decreeing God for sending her son off to war. Has a moment with a little girl, where she collects herself in hopes of not fearing her.

  • Chapter 23: life aboard the S.S. Massanabie; the cramped quarters. Ord reads a childrens book. Clifford objects — claiming they’re childish. Harris lives astringed from his father; catches pneumonia. Robert is put in charge of the horses.

  • Chapter 24: Robert uptakes the responsibility of caring for the horses; which initially he revolts at.

  • Chapter 25: The ship reaches land. Robert is told that one of his horses has a broken leg and must be shot.

  • Chapter 26: Robert has a difficult time reconciling that he must shoot a horse.

  • Chapter 27: Robert shoots the horse. His mind cannot comprehend and therefore he shoots the horse multiple times violently. Regis has to stop him.

  • Chapter 28: Robert falls and becomes extremely bruised. He is relieved of his duties aboard the ship and is wheeled off with Harris.

  • Chapter 29: Flashback to Robert boarding the ship. Mrs. Ross cannot reconcile that her son is being sent to war. She cannot bear the sight of Robert and the ship.

  • Chapter 30: Robert writes home.

Part 2

  • Chapter 1: Description of the setting of Ypres and the convoy which Robert leads.

  • Chapter 2: Introduction to Bailleul and the Asile Desole: desolated or devastated refuge. Robert has a conversation with a Flemish man, who is angry.

  • Chapter 3: introduction to Willie Poole, who is a bugler. Young and immature, but not underaged. The nature of the air begins to change and becomes toxic. Levitt is introduced and Robert attempts to morph into a leader.

  • Chapter 4: Robert begins to drown in the mud. Poole rescues him; Robert wants to bury a dead man, but the war doesn’t have time for that.

  • Chapter 5: Robert continues to lead the convoy as the crows follow.

  • Chapter 6: Description of the front & the aircraft.

  • Chapter 7: Robert’s knowledge and practicality of the battlefield builds. Robert and Levitt take over the infantry. Devlin and Bonnycastle are introduced in the Stained Glass dugout. Rodwell’s animals are introduced and reminds Robert of Rowena. Levitt pretends to know what he’s doing by quoting German military guides by Clausewitz.

  • Chapter 8: Introduction to Rodwell and Levitt’s action and impracticality. Companionship in the Stained Glass Dugout builds.

  • Chapter 9: Robert reverts to childhood as a form of escapism from the war. Harkens back to the freedom and escape which the coyote provided Robert.

  • Chapter 10: Scene of Harris in the hospital; Robert accompanying him. Introduction to Barbara d’Orsey. Taffler and Barbara visit an acquaintance.

  • Chapter 11: The transcript of Juliet — introducing the d’Orsey family to the novel. Impression is of a family that should in theory be completely disconnected from war. Emphasis on the subjectivity of Robert’s actions.

  • Chapter 12: Transcript of Juliet providing insight into Harris’ death… Robert derives fulfillment from accompanying Harris at his death. The whales indicate Harris’ connection to the natural world, paralleling Robert and emphasizing his innocence.

Part 3

  • Start of the Battle of St. Eloi’s crators. Robert is awoken and falls onto Rodwell.

  • Robert begins digging for Poole in the rubble. He is fine.

  • Robert catches a rat by the tail, emblematic of Robert’s embrace of life amongst the destruction.

  • Robert is distraught by individuals proclaiming that the war was “marvelous”

  • Captain Leather brings guns and artillery. Robert restrains himself from criticizing the plans of Captain Leather.

  • Robert sees a ski pole and brings the platoon into a crater

  • A gas attack descends upon the platoon. Robert jumps into becoming a leader, telling them to pee on cloths and use them as gas masks.

    • Robert returns to childhood as a means of escapism — but now it has a practical purpose in the war.

  • Robert shoots an innocent German sniper. The guilt permeates the rest of his life.

  • Rodwell leaves the front, demanding that Robert delivers him a letter. Rodwell leaves Robert to care for the toad and provides Robert with a sketchbook that likens him to an animal — purity.

  • Rodwell’s letter is to his daughter and focuses on themes of remembrance & living within each other.

  • Mrs. Ross began to seek out grief and storms as a means to cope with Robert at war.

Part 4

  • Robert takes his leave to St. Auburns, England — a world completely separate from the realities of the war… but certainly not separate from the impact of war.

  • The d’Orsey family cottage has been turned into a hospital for those healing from the war.

  • Barbara leaves Major Terry for Captain Taffler. Juliet slides “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” under his door.

  • It is revealed that Lady Sorrel (ghost) lights candles for the Earl of Bath as an act of remembrance… emblematic of love.

  • Taffler attempts to kill himself.

  • Robert is witnessed with an increasing temper, emblematic of the guilt that he carries from the death of the German Sniper.

  • Robert and Barbara have sex.

  • Juliet gives Robert a candle… emblematic of remembrance post-war.

Part 5

  • Chapter 1: Robert travels back to the front. His kit bag is lost. He arrives at asile desole.

  • Chapter 2 & 3: The change seen across Europe as the war raged on.

  • Chapter 4: Robert has a long, comfortable bath — the first time in a while where water is comforting. Robert is sexually assaulted by his fellow soldiers and is blinded.

  • Chapter 5: Robert is distraught. He needs new clothes and becomes violent. Poole drops off Robert’s kit bag. Robert wanted to hug him… but his trust in his fellow soldiers has been lost. Robert burns Rowena’s photo as an act of charity.. she is too pure for this world.

  • Chapter 6: Robert joined a battalion that goes towards Wytsbrouk. A bomb explodes infront of Robert and the candle is lit.

  • Chapter 7: the futility of the war… they haven’t moved up an inch.

  • Chapter 8: Robert chooses to break ranks and move the horses, against Captain Leather’s advice. Devlin helps out until Leather shoots him. Robert shoots leather. Robert shoots the injured horses.. too innocent to be victims of a long death.

  • Chapter 9: Mrs. Ross goes blind at the idea of her son being missing in action.

  • Chapter 11: Robert leads horses from an abandoned carriage with a dog. He leads them to the shelled barn.

  • Chapter 12: Major Mickle begins the pursuit for Robert.

  • Chapter 13: Robert becomes consumed by the fire which Major Mickle’s men set to the barn. Robert is burnt beyond recognition because he can’t get himself out.

  • Chapter 14: On a hopeful tone, Marian Turner claims that Robert didn’t want to die yet… there is a level of hope that is in contrast to that of other characters.

  • Chapter 15: Robert is seen in a photograph, smiling with Juliet. There is a level of satisfaction from his decisions.

Character Catalogue

The Ross Family

  • Mr. Thomas Ross

    • Robert's father. He presents a face of unconditional love to his son and his family, even when his relationship with his wife is deteriorating. He secures a pistol for Robert and is the only family member to attend Robert's funeral.

  • Mrs. Ross

    • Handling the grief and bridge of understanding of Robert entering the war effort.

    • Attitudes upon the war adapted: in mitigating bullets from the soldiers.

  • Rowena Ross

  • Robert Ross

    • Robert’s choice to join the war: to provide him with a sense of purpose/role/responsibility; to protect innocents based on what his perception of a soldier should be.

    • What motivates him? Redemption and atonement for Rowena’s death through the opportunity to protect the innocent.

    • Marian Turner considers him to not be a Hitler — but to be a hero that appeals to everyone’s basic instincts.

  • Peggy Ross

  • Stuart Ross

  • Monty Miles Raymond (Mrs. Ross’ deceased brother)

Ross Family Connections

  • Miss Davenport

    • A maid for the Ross family who comes to spend most of her time with Mrs. Ross as the novel progresses.

  • Heather Lawson

  • Clinton Brown (from Harvard)

  • Teddy Budge

The d’Orsey Family

  • Marquis of St. Auburn’s

  • Lady Emmeline

    • The mother of the d’Orsey family

  • Clive d’Orsey

  • Michael d’Orsey

  • Barbara d’Orsey

    • Jumps from one relationship to another, emblematic of the nature of love during the War — to be remembered.

    • The eldest daughter of the Marquis and the Marcioness of St Aubyn's. She and Robert start a brief affair after Captain Taffler's injury and admittance to St Aubyn's. She later visits Robert, but only once, at St Aubyn's following his burn injuries.

  • Juliet d’Orsey

    • Lady Barbara's younger sister. Several of the passages of the novel are told by her through transcribed interviews. She fell in love with Robert during his initial stay at St Aubyn's and stayed by his side during his last days. She also wrote the inscription on his tombstone.

  • Temple d’Orsey

d’Orsey Family Connections

  • Lady Sorrel (Ghost) & Earl of Bath Wilson

    • The Lady Sorrel lights candles

  • Captain James (Jamie) Villiers

    • A man encased in bandages lying in the Royal Free Hospital. Robert Ross alerts a nurse to administer morphine to the man after he is visited by Eugene Taffler and Lady Barbara d'Orsey. Captain Villiers cannot speak due to damage to his vocal chords from a fire. He eventually dies from his injuries.

  • Major Ralph Terry

  • Honor Hampton (Clive’s fiance)

  • Charlotte Krauss (Juliet’s employee)

Aboard the S.S. Massanabie

  • Captain Ord

    • Actual experience in the war.

    • Apathetic, a weak depiction of leadership.

    • Escapism and avoidance through the picture books.

    • Proclaimed soldiers as replaceable.

  • Clifford Purchas

    • Given an opportunity to mature, “become a man” because of the war.

    • Idealized version of what a war is and how it should be fought.

    • A soldier whom Robert meets during training. He is accompanied by Clifford Purchas while searching for missing horses. It is at that time that he meets Eugene Taffler. In Part Five of the novel, Robert finds a corpse in the road near Wytsbrouk. The dead man has been shot in the back. It turns out to be Clifford Purchas.

  • Harris

    • Wistful, contemplative expression, which develops Robert’s connection with Harris.

    • Gets sick with pneumonia quite easily, mimicking Robert’s fragility.

    • Shares Robert’s sensitivity as a person not suited for war.

    • Connects with animals, whales and water.

    • Naievty and innocence present.

  • Regis from Regina

  • Battery-Sergeant Major Joyce

On the Front

  • Captain Eugene Taffler

    • Taffler was a military hero, like Robert.

    • A heroic quality that Robert wishes to obtain as someone capable of killing like bottles.

    • Reflections upon the futility of war: “one little David against another.”

    • Scene in the brothel bothers Robert and expresses the vulnerability of the idea of heros.

    • Reflects the impacts of war and the effect of the normalization of violence.

  • Bugler Willie Poole

    • Initially doesn’t know his place.

    • Defining the incompetent kids that fought the war.

    • Fails to internalize his environment.

  • Levitt

    • Discomfort, doesn’t know to not run in a battlefield, yet comedically keeps quoting German military theory from Clauswitz.

  • Rodwell

    • Parallels with Robert in his capability to take care of animals.

    • He reminds Robert of Rowena. He passes on his sketchbook and a letter for his daughter to Robert before they part. Later, he takes his own life after witnessing his fellow soldiers torture and kill a cat.

  • Devlin

    • Traumatic response to the war

    • Sentimental journey that follows as the war progresses.

    • Death and miracles — possesses hope with post-war future opening an antique shop.

    • Depictions of holy imagery → antiques and enjoyment, escape from the war and protect his fragile faith in humanity.

  • Lieutenant Bonnycastle

    • A childrens book author fighting a war → profound irony.

    • One of the men in the dugout whom Robert Ross and Levitt are meant to relieve. Robert later hears of his death from Poole.

  • Captain Leather

    • Robert's commanding officer from Wytsbrouk. He arrives at the front after the dugout is destroyed and utters the phrase "Just so" in response to just about every remark. He seems entirely disconnected from the reality of the war, planning strategic moves from far behind the front lines. Robert has little confidence in him.

  • Corporal Bates

    • Extremely trigger happy corporal who in-part glorifies war.

    • An officer in charge of the men whom Robert meets through Captain Leather. Bates accompanies Robert to the crater at the front lines where they come across a German sniper.

  • Private Cassles

  • Major Mickle

  • Roots

Other Characters

  • Ella (prostitute)

  • Maria Dreyfus (wet goods)

  • Marian Turner (nurse)

  • Bessie Turner (Marian’s sister)

Motif Catalogue

The Four Elements:

  • Water

  • Earth

  • Fire

  • Air

  • The four elements adapt to threaten Robert during his time in the battlefield; e.g. fog and smoke become toxic; Robert drowns in mud etc.

Evidence Catalogue

Theme Catalogue

  • Jackson’s Point: the location of the family cottage. Robert has fond memories of this place that reminds him of home.