Watership Down Analysis

In the downs of a small farm, two rabbits are getting ready to flee their warren in an effort to escape the dangers of men come to kill them. Richard Adam’s Watership Down follows these two rabbits - named Hazel and Fiver - as they gather a following and make their way across the farmland to safety. The band of misfits looks to Hazel for guidance, and he leads them to their haven. A warren is established atop the hills where the rabbits are safe and sound. However, the need to keep the warren going strives the rabbits to continue exploring and find does in other warrens. They meet the Efrafa warren on their journey. This warren is lead General Woundwort, and immediately the two parties are at odds. One of the most noticeable differences is …show more content…
While General Woundwort believes he is superior, Hazel acts and believes that he is equal to his people. When a rabbit called Captain Holly stumbles upon Hazel and his warren, he is immediately taken in. He tells the rabbits about the men that are destroying their old home and how he almost did not make it out alive. As he is telling his story, Hazel notices his injuries and begins to tend to him. He lies beside Holly and notices that his ear is cut and bleeding as well as covered in dirt. As he cleans it to try and soothe Holly, he remarks, “It’s a pity they didn’t clean you up as well. That dirt’s dangerous.” (162). Hazel, on more than one occasion, sees to the welfare of his brothers. He cleans and nurses them back to health immediately. Hazel does not see himself as a leader who is better than his people, but a leader who is equal to his people. At the same time, General Woundwort sees himself as the king, or ruler, of Efrafa. As the story unfolds, General Woundwort continues to prove himself as more and more of a dictator and tyrant rather than a true leader. One of the most prominent times is when he is preparing to slaughter the rabbits in Hazel’s warren. Not only does he worry that his reputation as a ruthless killer and leader will not be upheld if he does not win, General Woundwort muses on the fact that “he wanted to get back to Efrafa as soon as he could. Like most warlords, he was never very confident about what was going on behind his back” (424). General Woundwort considers himself to be the controller and king of Efrafa - he and his people are not equals. He maintains a strict superiority over the rabbits in Efrafa, who both fear and love him at the same time. The fear is what could ultimately cause General Woundwort’s demise, so he knows that at all times he must be in control of Efrafa to be able to manage everything the way he sees it must be done.