Watership Down was the first grownup book I ever read. I was startled to realize that it didn’t have any pictures, not even for the chapter divisions, so I wound up drawing my own illustrations in the margins. (Don’t worry, it wasn’t a library copy.)
When I was eight, it was a very cool story about some bunny rabbits who get into a lot of adventures. And really, no matter what your age, this is a fine and satisfying interpretation: These bunnies pack a lot of action and suspense into their lives.
But then I read the book again as an adult. Turns out I’d missed out on some of the subtleties that first time around. Yes, it is true that the protagonists are bunnies– you know, cute little furry things with twitchy noses and pointy ears–but this is a deep, thought-provoking novel. If you’re uncomfortable with the thought of reading an action book, or a fantasy, or anything that seems juvenile, don’t worry: It’s perfectly acceptable to call this a work of literary fiction.
Long story short: when their warren is fumigated by men, only a few bunnies escape alive. They travel long and far to find a new, safe, home, ultimately settling at Watership Down — which would be the end of the story, except that all of our bunny heroes are boy bunny heroes. With no girl bunnies around, the new warren doesn’t face very optimistic prospects for the long-term, though it takes rather a while for this to dawn on our heroes. But once they realize their peril, our boy bunnies go out to battle some other boy bunnies for the purposes of stealing girl bunnies.
The rabbits’ misogyny COMPLETELY escaped me in the third grade.
Read this as a commentary on war and conquest and dominion, if you like, or as an indictment of the encroachment of humans upon nature. Read it for the fascinating characters and the excellent world-building, complete with bunny religions and bunny mythos and bunny language. Or skip all that deep stuff and just read it for a thumping good time.
Check the WRL catalog for Watership Down
I’m reading WD aloud to my sons (5 and 9) as bedtimes permit – we’re only up to the 3rd chapter, and I’m going to have to start figuring out where to break the longer chapters so I don’t get stuck at a crucial point. Either that or start putting them to bed at 5:30.
Calling them ‘misogynist’ seems like a stretch to me though, and I’d like to hear more about your interpretation. (Wouldn’t they be ‘misleporist’ at the least?) And if you view it through the lens of apocalyptic fiction (which seems to be the rage around here lately – what’s up with that?), the protagonists are escaping with their lives and might be forgiven for overlooking the essentials. Can you find it in your heart to treat them as bunnies running scared?
From the standpoint of a teacher, I love this book because it introduces the conflicts between humans and animals. For example, their old warren was being invaded by the upcoming human construction of industry.
For me, I loved how the author brought out the feelings of each rabbit. It truly left me wanting to know more about the world of rabbits. Moreover, my beloved sister loved rabbits, and I guess this book connects me to what she loved before her death.
In addition, my niece Rosario, is an avid reader of books about rabbits.
It’s been a looong time since I read the book, but I remember them treating the female bunnies nicely?
Andrew, and Mitch, too:
Don’t get me wrong: The boy bunnies behave nicely toward the girl bunnies. And I don’t really blame them for escaping their original warren with no girls in tow. When you’re running for your life, you’re not really thinking about long-term species sustainability.
The misogyny comes later, when the boy bunnies are chilling for a few months at their new home. It takes them bloody forever to realize that something’s not quite right.
“Oh, yeah! Girl bunnies! Knew we’d forgot something!”
So how do they fix their problem? They go steal some girl bunnies from the next warren over. Now it works out nicely that the girl bunnies wanted to escape, but the distinction is important: Our guys weren’t there on a search-and-rescue mission. They were there for conquest, for the purpose of acquiring some wimmins.
But it WAS a search-&-rescue mission! Haven’t you read the bible? Conquests are done for the survival of the tribe. It was not an acquisition, proper, but an imperative of survival. The method, conquest, is the method all animals (including us) use for that purpose. It has nothing to do with morality, it is beyond that.
Dr. G,
Yes, lots of great themes in WD, especially with humans v. nature.
And you’ve got a great point: We read books not only to understand our own selves, but to connect and understand others, those who have left us and those still with us.
Jessica,
I thought they went back to the farm and offered to take the bunnies out of the hutch? Is my recollection incorrect?
I will return to this conversation after I have reread the book and can speak with more certainty.
The animated movie was also excellent, not for kiddies or the squeamish though. For Frith’s sake give it a try!
The first time I read Watership Down I was an adult and teaching English. I did get most of the symbolism although I wasn’t really looking for it. The scene I remember vividly is about the reabsorption of the babies when one of the mother bunnies feels danger and threats. So often I have heard humans say they are not going to bring children into this world the way it is. Just something to think about.
My voracious reading daughter sent me this site. She has just finished the book a second time; this time she is an adult. I tell my students often to go back and reread the literature of their childhood once they really have the ideas about symbolism and even allegory in their minds.
Also I have been reading a fantastic book by Thomas C. Foster (University of Michigan at Flint) titled How to Read Literature Like a Professor. He is funny while delivering wonderful thought provoking little chapters. Even the chapter titles bring a chuckle. For example, Chapter 16 is It’s All About Sex . . . and Chapter 17 is . . . Except Sex. Just this month he brought out How to Read Novels Like a Professor. The book on reading literature is certainly not just for teachers or students; it is for anyone who knows that great literature is more than just the surface story. I highly recommend it.
Julie,
I love your point about rereading childhood favorites as an adult. It’s dangerous, though. Narnia loses its innocence when you realize that C.S. Lewis had it in for Muslims. It might not be apparent to an elementary schooler, but it hits you in the head when you’re an adult.
“C.S. Lewis had it in for Muslims” is not true. He REALIZED, like many in his time, that Islam is fundamentally destructive of humanity, especially of women. The current “religion of peace” BS is based on the Western dependence on oil.
This weeks posting on the bookplate blog has Richard Adams delightful bunny bookplate designed by Jennifer Campbell
http://bookplatejunkie.blogspot.com
It is clear that we all came to realize the whole humans vs. nature thing while reading Watership Down, but as i go through these comments i have failed to see the greatest concept of all and repeating symbolism throughout the book; government.
The warren on Watership Down represents a democratic society, and Richard Adams makes it a point to make this warren seem as though it is the best and most fair warren of all.
The Watership Down warren was more democratic than the fascist warren under General Woundwort, but it certainly wasn’t a pure democracy. Hazel-rah (Hazel-raj?) made many of the decisions independently, without consulting his fellow rabbits. And some of the rabbits (some of the, ahem, DOE rabbits) were never asked for their input.
But then again most democracies have rough beginnings. I’d rather dig my burrow with Hazel than with Woundwort or Cowslip.
At first I really enjoyed this book,I’m in the 7th grade so I had to read it over the summer,it’s themes of nature and democracy were quite appealing but after I finished reading it I did notice a bit of a misogyny theme to it,which bothered me a bit. Like how the book commented on how the does were only meant for “breeding stock” or how when that one doe died no one seemed to care,but I’m sure if any of the male protogonists were to perish everyone would panic or become depressed…
But from what I heard Tale from Watership Down shows females with a bit more power,Hyzenthlay actually helps Hazel with being a leader at Watership Down,being a sort of “Co-cheif”.
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