Sometimes they say ignorance is bliss

So you have returned have you? It is time to get down to business.

When you pick up a novel, what is the first thing you see? The title of course.

"The Wars".

2 words and yet it is packed with meaning. Findley sets the novel in a time where young men were being sent to fight a war that would be written about and studied for years after. It was "the war to end all wars." But the title means more then that, the novel is more then that, and each character is more then just a man or women fighting to survive a war that doesn't just take place on a battle feild or in trenches.

Each character is fighting an inner battle, trying to figure out who they are, what their motivations are. Robert Ross in particular seems to be at war with himself and his morals. He is constantly battling with what others tell him to do and what he believes to be right; what he has to do and what he wants to do. His visit to the whorehouse is a good example of this. Does he want to be there? Does he think it's morally right? No, he'd much rather be off running, and yet for the sake of his reputation, he must go.
These inner wars are what makes the characters so relatable, Robert Ross in particular. He is no hero, but he does fight his wars, as we all do.

"The Wars" is more then just a novel about a solider's struggles in war. It is about the wars that rage in each and every person, whether they are a soldier or not, and in my opinion, this title, whether we realize it or not, draws the reader in. It catches our attention, makes us wonder, question, think. Sometimes they say ignorance is bliss. But sometimes you read a novel that shoves the truth in your face. We all have our own wars to fight, whether you acknowledge those wars or not. Timothy Findley's novel makes us aware of our battles and that self reflection is what I believe to be the most rattling aspects of this story.


Well folks. That is all I have to say about the title. Maybe it gave some insight (probably not) into yourself and the war that you face; that we all face.

Until next time :)

We all have our inner wars.