The Wars - Theme of Loss of Innocence

All things truly wicked start from innocence. A moral truth that finds its place among today’s society. Innocence is such a frail, yet valuable quality. The loss of innocence can lead to such disastrous consequences. The theme of the loss of innocence is a prevalent one found throughout the novel The Wars by Timothy Findley. It is noted particularly in regards to the protagonist, Robert Ross. Early on in the novel, he encounters such miserable situations that dramatically mature his character emotionally and mentally in such a short period of time.

Such events include the sudden loss of a loved one, sexual encounters, and the murder of the innocent. Rowena’s handicapped older sister is herself a symbol of innocence to Robert. She is the essence of kindness and compassion in Robert’s life. When Robert was suddenly ripped from that pure connection, he was left utterly distraught and confused. He blames himself for her death. “It was Robert’s fault.

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Robert was her guardian and he was locked in his bedroom. Making love to his pillows. ”(Findley, 16) Now Robert is distressed as he carries the emotional burden of guilt.

Then he is helpless to watch the horrible slaughter of Rowena’s innocent rabbits. The last connection he had to Rowena and everything she represented was killed. The qualities that made him who he was, was brutally taken from him. That day, Robert Ross was murdered. In his confused, heartbroken state feels he must join the army in an attempt to help the world regain the innocence it lost with Rowena’s death.

This is a bold move on Robert’s part and is characterized only by an individual who is no longer kind and endearing.

To fight in war, you must be cold hearted and be able to take a life without feeling remorse. “In such a dangerous thing as war the errors which proceed from a spirit of benevolence are the worst. ” (Von Clausewitz, the Wars) Those words foreshadow the persona that Robert will soon become, and encompass the essence of Robert’s journey as he gradually loses his innocence with every passing trial. Robert was once a timid individual who valued his privacy. And as noted with the encounter with Heather Lawson, we see that Robert is awkward around women.

However, after thrusting himself into war he can no longer hide himself or his capacity for sexuality and violence. With the experience with Ella at the brothel he feels ashamed and now has been exposed, at such a young age, to a morally corrupting way of life. He has leaped so far, from ‘making love to his pillows’ to encounters with a prostitute. His morals are disintegrating; his childlike innocence is fading. His character is altering dramatically. When he sees his ‘role –model’ Taffler engaging in homosexual actions he is shocked, enticed and disturbed.

This reaction gives way to anger and violence. The world as he knew it, one in which he could hide, no longer exists. In an effort to redeem himself from Rowena’s death, Robert’s goal is to save life, any life, even if it is the life of an animal. To Robert, animals symbolize innocence. He views them as innocent bystanders in a world full of violence and madness. He feels a special connection to them, especially to his totems of horses and dogs. So when Robert is forced to put down the ill horses, this is utterly emotionally heart-breaking.

Again he is faced with the murder of innocence. This time, he is the one responsible for such a horrid action. This kind of situation can shape anyone’s character for the worse. Events such as these have undoubtedly molded his persona into one that strikingly differs from the Robert we were introduced to at the start of the novel. Robert’s character can only continue to change from this point, and as he continues to lose his innocence, it leaves us wondering about what will become of Robert and the dark actions he will be capable of.