"Watership Down" uses social and political satire as animals in the story mirror human society. Through anthropomorphism, the rabbits' behaviors and struggles reflect real-world issues, such as leadership, power dynamics, and environmental destruction. By presenting these themes in a fantasy setting, the novel invites readers to reflect on their own beliefs and behaviors.
Bigwig wants Kehaar to help them find a new warren to settle in, as well as to provide information on the locations of other dangers in the area.
The hutch rabbits in Watership Down are a group of rabbits who live in captivity in a hutch on the farm of the antagonist, General Woundwort. They are contrasted with the wild rabbits of Watership Down who have escaped and live free in the countryside. The hutch rabbits are portrayed as living in fear and captivity, symbolizing the struggle between freedom and control in the story.
The author's purpose for Watership Down is to tell an engaging and adventurous story about a group of rabbits seeking a new home. Through this tale, the author explores themes of friendship, courage, and survival, while also highlighting the impact of human actions on the environment and wildlife. Ultimately, the book offers a reflection on leadership and the importance of community in facing challenges.
Watership Down is typically recommended for readers aged 12 and up. The novel contains themes of survival, loyalty, and friendship, but also includes some violent and intense scenes that may be too mature for younger readers.
In "Watership Down," Hazel’s warren is described as a large, spacious burrow with multiple entrances and exits. It is hidden and well-protected, surrounded by thick hedges and lush vegetation. The warren is carefully designed with ventilation shafts and escape routes in case of danger.
The book does not actually come out and say "Fiver dies", it's inferred when Hazel-rah dies of old age (the book does say he lived longer than most rabbits) and joins El-ahrairah's owsla that Fiver is dead.
Fiver was the telepathic rabbit in "Watership Down." He had the ability to sense danger and communicate with others through a form of extrasensory perception.
Bigwig joined the journey to Watership Down because he recognized Hazel's leadership qualities and bravery and believed in his vision for creating a safe and thriving warren. Additionally, he wanted to escape the oppressive and violent environment of his previous warren, Efrafa.
"Watership Down" was banned in the Soviet Union due to its perceived ideological content that went against the communist regime. The novel was seen as promoting individualism, which went against the collectivist ideals of communism. Additionally, the book contained themes of freedom and resistance against oppressive authority, which were considered threatening to the government.
It is a rather violent tale about animal life ( Rabbits) in the wild., the title suggests, for example a Naval battle. I did a newspaper article called Battleship Down! about the USS New Jersey- citing it would not be a good tourist attraction in 1978. Honestly I thought Watership Down was about a sea battle, akin to Sink the Bismarck! thus the sinking of the prime target would be the climax. it was not.l Odd title- but a violent film.
To make us worried and scared about the rabbits on their journey.
because the author wanted to call it that The name is taken from the rabbits' destination, Watership Down, a hill in north Hampshire, England, near where Author, Richard Adams, grew up.
Calypso was the ship used by Jacques Cousteau for oceanographic work. It was a converted French navy Minesweeper. the film title Watership Down! suggests a Naval battle, but it is actually abour warfare among rabbits. the origin of the title is not quite stated, perhaps it was near a shipyard or marina.
When they were in cowslips warren
When they left Sadleford
When holly told them that bigwig was right
When they were escaping efrafa
When they went to nuthanger farm
When they found Kahaar
When they were escaping with the does from Efrafa
When the rabbits from Efrafa attacked the honeycomb
When they found Watership down
When Fiver had his Vision that they were going to die
When they rescue Clover from nuthanger farm
When they freed the dog
When the dog attacked Efrafen rabbits
When hazel dies at the end
The "chief rabbit" is the dominant animal (rabbits only) in Watership Down. He is the leader of the warren. This status is indicated by the suffix "rah" which is added to the end of the rabbits actual name. An example of this is the rabbit "Hazel" who later gains the title of "Hazel-rah" when he becomes leader of his group.
His daughters, who he told the story to on the way to Stradford-On-Avon, encouraged him to write the story down. He was finally convinced to when he was reading a story to his daughters (the story wasn't very good) until he finally got so frustrated that he threw the book across the room and said, "Good G-d, I could write better myself." One of his daughters said, "Well why don't you, if you keep saying you did so." So he did, and so we have the book Watership Down by Richard Adams.
Source: The new introduction by Richard Adams to the book.