What is the message behind Watership Down?

What is the message behind Watership Down?

For years, many have believed that Watership Down had a secondary, and much deeper, meaning. The dictatorial elements have been described as a metaphor for communism while some viewers have even likened the entire story to a take on Christianity.

Why is Watership Down important?

Throughout the story, Adams forces readers to confront the risks of democracy and the pitfalls inherent in any attempt to forge an “ideal government.” Think George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” but unfolding on a massive storytelling canvas.

Is Watership Down a true story?

For those who still shiver at the mention of Watership Down, it may come as a surprise to know that Richard Adams’ novel, later made into a film and TV series, was actually based on his own real life experiences.

Is Watership Down a children’s story?

Watership Down is a bit of a conundrum. The classic children’s novel by Richard Adams, about a band of rabbits trying to establish a safe home in the English countryside, is a little too subtle and complex for (young) children. And the 1978 animated film is definitely too violent and terrifying for them.

At what age should you read Watership Down?

For any child over 12, I wouldn’t hesitate generally to allow them this read as it’s pretty tame overall and I’m also not saying that children younger than 12 can’t read this either, it just depends on the maturity and their level of reading. Ultimately, it’s the parental figures choice.

Why was it called Watership Down?

1970, p. 346). The name Watership Down therefore had an original meaning ‘uplands in the watery area’, ‘uplands by the water-channel’ or something along these lines.

What does ELIL mean in Watership Down?

enemy
Edit. Elil is a Lapine word for enemy. Animals who prey on rabbits are called elil, and those animals include dogs, cats, foxes, weasels, stoats, badgers, pikes, and birds of prey. Man is said to be most dangerous of all elil.

What was the evil rabbit called in Watership Down?

General Woundwort
General Woundwort is the main antagonist of the book Watership Down, film, television series and all adaptations of the same name. He is the Chief Rabbit of Efrafa.

How old should you be to read Watership Down?

Is Watership Down appropriate for 12 year old?

Watership Down will delight all audiences, young and old! Violence/Gore: Several (animal) characters die by traps, predators, being shot, or being gassed, with varying degrees of description.

Is Watership Down disturbing?

Seemingly everyone who’s seen the animated 1978 adaptation of “Watership Down” has a horror story about how disturbingly brutal and violent it was. This is understandable and ridiculous. It’s understandable, because the story is about rabbits, which we’re conditioned to associate with Thumper and Peter Cottontail.

Is Watership Down religious?

He said the rabbits in Watership Down did not worship; however, “they believed passionately in El-ahrairah.” Adams explained that he meant the book to be “only a made-up story in no sense an allegory or parable or any kind of political myth.

Is Watership Down political?

Rabbits in Watership Down don’t have political parties and elections (or attack ads), but they do have politics.

Is Lapine a real language?

Lapine is a fictional language created by author Richard Adams for his 1972 novel Watership Down, where it is spoken by rabbit characters. The language was again used in Adams’ 1996 sequel, Tales from Watership Down, and has appeared in both the film and television adaptations.

What does fu Inle meaning?

Fu Inlé is used to refer to “after moonrise”. Literally, the moon; also moonrise. But a second meaning carries the idea of darkness, fear and death.

Who is Black Rabbit?

Black Rabbit is, possibly, the last Moon Rabbit after an attack by Azi Dahaka. When she was 10 she was to be given a name by her parents and named the ‘heiress’ of the Moon Rabbit tribe for being granted four of the ten divine gifts of the clan, being the fourth in the tribe’s history to possess the Gifts.

Is Watership Down too scary for kids?

The classic children’s novel by Richard Adams, about a band of rabbits trying to establish a safe home in the English countryside, is a little too subtle and complex for (young) children. And the 1978 animated film is definitely too violent and terrifying for them.

How old should you be to watch Watership Down?

Its recommended age range of 8 and above feels sensible.

Is Watership Down a sad story?

The Watership Down book ending is happy, but with a hell of a lot of darkness and sadness thrown in for good measure. So the whole story is about a rabbit called Hazel trying to lead a load of other rabbits to a new warren after his younger brother Fiver predicts something dangerous is going to happen.