How many Watership Down books are there?
Adams completed a sequel almost 25 years later, in 1996, Tales from Watership Down, but as a collection of 19 short stories about El-ahrairah and the rabbits of the Watership Down warren, instead of a novel, with "Notes on Pronunciation" and a "Lapine Glossary".
What does the map at the beginning of Watership Down show?
The map at the beginning of Watership Down shows readers where the story takes place at key moments in the plot. From th... Read More The novel opens with an epigraph (quotation used to preface a chapter) from Cassandra, the character in Greek playwrig...
When was Watership Down by Richard Adams published?
Watership Down is a novel by Richard Adams that was first published in 1972. Read our full plot summary and analysis of Watership Down, scene by scene break-downs, and more. See a complete list of the characters in Watership Down and in-depth analyses of Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and General Woundwort.
How many rabbits are in Watership Down movie?
Though the Watership Down warren eventually grew to seventeen rabbits, with the additions of Strawberry, Holly, Bluebell, and three hutch rabbits liberated from the farm, the movie includes a band of only eight. Rosen's adaptation was praised for "cutting through Adams' book ... to get to the beating heart".
See more
How long is the book Watership Down?
Watership DownFirst edition coverAuthorRichard AdamsPublication dateNovember 1972Media typePrint (hardback, paperback & audiobook)Pages413 (first edition) plus maps10 more rows
What happens in chapter 32 of Watership Down?
Chapter 32: Across the Iron Road He tells Hazel that when he went into the brush with the fox behind him, he bumped into three strange rabbits. He told them to run, but they tried to stop him, so he knocked one of them down and then ran off. He figures the fox must have gotten the rabbit that he knocked down.
What happens in chapter 42 of Watership Down?
The mouse Hazel saved once again proves himself useful as he warns Hazel of a group of rabbits stationed not too far off from Watership Down. Bigwig dismisses the mouse's story, but Hazel is determined to get to the bottom of things. He asks Holly and Blackavar to go down and check things out.
What happens in chapter 44 of Watership Down?
Hazel returns to the Honeycomb, where all of the Watership Down rabbits are crouched in the darkness and all of the runs have been sealed. Woundwort and the others are just above ground, and Hazel and the others can hear them planning to excavate the blocked holes and drag them out.
What happens in chapter 40 of Watership Down?
The Watership Down rabbits at last joyfully return home, believing that their trials and troubles are over. The threat of Efrafa, however, looms in the distance, and there will be more fighting before the novel is over.
What happens in chapter 41 of Watership Down?
El-ahrairah realizes that he will have to get up to one of his classic old schemes if he is to infiltrate Rowsby Woof's territory. He has been through a lot, but his cunning has not been dulled, and neither has his drive for danger and adventure. Get the entire Watership Down LitChart as a printable PDF.
What happens in chapter 39 of Watership Down?
Chapter 39: The Bridges The rabbits float down the river, wondering what to do next. Kehaar tells them that there is a bridge coming and that they might not fit under it. They squeeze through the bridge, but one of the does is hurt as they go under. They come to another bridge that stops the boat.
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 a happy ending?
Answer and Explanation: Yes, Watership Down has a happy ending. The rabbits of Watership Down successfully defeat Efrafa. General Woundwort is killed, as are most of his loyal followers.
How sad is Watership Down?
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.
What grade level is Watership Down?
Watership DownInterest LevelReading LevelATOSGrades 9 - 12Grades 4 - 86.2Dec 26, 2017
What happens in chapter 35 of Watership Down?
Chapter 35: Groping Bigwig decides that if he brings anyone out, Blackavar is coming with them. Bigwig meets Hyzenthlay and some other does, and later he has her come to see him. He talks to Hyzenthlay and tells her that he plans to break some does out of Efrafa.
What happens in chapter 35 of Watership Down?
Chapter 35: Groping Bigwig decides that if he brings anyone out, Blackavar is coming with them. Bigwig meets Hyzenthlay and some other does, and later he has her come to see him. He talks to Hyzenthlay and tells her that he plans to break some does out of Efrafa.
Is Hazel a girl in Watership Down?
Hazel is the protagonist of Watership Down, and he is the leader of the band of rabbits who leave their home to found a new warren. Although Hazel is young and not very big, he possesses many traits that make him a good leader.
Is Hazel a boy or girl in Watership Down?
Voice actor Hazel, also known as Hazel-rah by the Watership Down rabbits, is a brave and intelligent buck, the main protagonist in Watership Down, and a character in Tales from Watership Down.
Is Watership Down a happy ending?
Answer and Explanation: Yes, Watership Down has a happy ending. The rabbits of Watership Down successfully defeat Efrafa. General Woundwort is killed, as are most of his loyal followers.
Summary
Read our full plot summary and analysis of Watership Down, scene by scene break-downs, and more.
Characters
See a complete list of the characters in Watership Down and in-depth analyses of Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and General Woundwort.
Literary Devices
Here's where you'll find analysis of the literary devices in Watership Down, from the major themes to motifs, symbols, and more.
Quotes
Find the quotes you need to support your essay, or refresh your memory of the book by reading these key quotes.
Quick Quizzes
Test your knowledge of Watership Down with quizzes about every section, major characters, themes, symbols, and more.
Essays
Get ready to ace your Watership Down paper with our suggested essay topics, helpful essays about historical and literary context, a sample A+ student essay, and more.
Further Study
Go further in your study of Watership Down with background information, movie adaptations, and links to the best resources around the web.
What is Kehaar based on?
According to Adams, Kehaar was based on a fighter from the Norwegian Resistance in World War II. The Mouse: Never named, the mouse is a resident of Watership Down before the arrival of the rabbits.
What did Hazel and Bigwig do?
Hazel and Bigwig devise a plan to rescue Hyzenthlay's group and bring them to Watership Down; Bigwig is sent to do the mission, with infrequent help from Kehaar, and the group escape using a raft. Again, Bigwig nearly dies in the escape attempt.
What happens in Fiver's visions?
Part 2. Fiver's visions have promised them a safe place in which to settle, and the group eventually finds Watership Down, which matches Fiver's description of the perfect home exactly . There they are soon reunited with Holly and Bluebell, who were with Bigwig in the Owsla.
How many rabbits are in the Watership Down Warren movie?
Although the essentials of the plot remained relatively unchanged, the film omitted several side plots. Though the Watership Down warren eventually grew to seventeen rabbits, with the additions of Strawberry, Holly, Bluebell, and three hutch rabbits liberated from the farm, the movie includes a band of only eight. Rosen's adaptation was praised for "cutting through Adams' book ... to get to the beating heart".
How many times was Watership Down rejected?
Lane, 1982). Watership Down was rejected seven times before it was accepted by Rex Collings.
When was Tales from Watership Down made?
Adams completed a sequel almost 25 years later, in 1996 , Tales from Watership Down, constructed as a collection of 19 short stories about El-ahrairah and the rabbits of the Watership Down warren.
Where is the story Watership Down set?
Watership Down is an adventure novel by English author Richard Adams, published by Rex Collings Ltd of London in 1972. Set in southern England, around Hampshire, the story features a small group of rabbits.
What is the setting of the book Bigwig?
Setting: England. Climax: Bigwig, with the help of Kehaar the gull and several other rabbits from Watership Down, successfully breaks several rabbit does out of Efrafa, avoiding the dreaded General Woundwort and his army of dangerous rabbits. Antagonist: General Woundwort. Point of View: Third person.
What was the historical context of Watership Down?
Historical Context of Watership Down. Though Watership Down was published in the early 1970s, its most direct historical influence seems to be World War II —which Adams himself fought in as part of the British army.
Where was Richard Adams born?
Richard Adams was born in the English countryside —an evocative, lush place he would later use as the setting for his most famous novel, Watership Down. The son of a well-to-do doctor, Adams attended the prestigious Oxford University, though his education was interrupted when he was called to serve in the British Army during World War II.
Is Watership Down a role playing game?
Adaptable. Watership Down has been adapted for television, theater, radio, and even a role-playing game entitled Bunnies and Burrows. Perhaps its most famous adaptation is that of a 1978 animated film, featuring the voices of legends of stage and screen such as John Hurt and Zero Mostel. Tanner, Alexandra.
Who wrote Watership Down?
Adams wrote Watership Down and began sending it to agents and publishers; it was rejected several times before at last being acquired by a publisher named Rex Collins. The book sold a million copies worldwide in its first few years in print and has gone on to become recognized as a modern classic.
What does Bigwig force Fiver to do?
Bigwig forces Fiver to come down into the burrow with them. The other rabbits ask for a story, and, after a discussion, Blackberry says that Hazel will describe their adventures. The rabbits are silent, and Hazel's group confers again and decides that Dandelion should tell another story of El-ahrairah.
What does Hazel tell Cowslip about Blackberry?
He tells Cowslip they are going to silflay (eat outside), but Cowslip tells them that they have plenty of food inside and that it is raining outside anyway. When Hazel insists, Cowslip laughs at them.
How do the rabbits awaken in the movie?
The rabbits are awakened by Strawberry stamping and calling out to wake everyone. He explains that there is flayrah (good food) outside. The rabbits all go outside and find carrots in the field. They eat their fill, and then Cowslip explains how to carry some food back to the warren for later.
What do the rabbits do in the field?
The rabbits laze about contentedly in the field and begin to scratch out a few holes. They do not work very seriously, however, since serious digging is done by does (female rabbits) and they are all bucks. Soon they see a strange rabbit looking at them. Hazel and Blackberry go to speak to him. They are puzzled by the very large rabbit, who seems unconcerned that they wish to stay and comes over to meet the rest of the group. His name is Cowslip, and he invites them to stay in his warren, which has many empty burrows. He runs off before the rain comes, and the group talks it over. Everyone thinks that there is no danger, except Fiver, who believes they should stay away. Hazel decides they will go to Cowslip's warren.
What does Strawberry show Hazel?
Strawberry shows Hazel around but seems to dodge Hazel's questions and shows him a form of stone artwork that bewilders Hazel, as most rabbits do not create art. He realizes that Strawberry will not answer any question beginning with the word "where.".
What chapter does Hazel lead the rabbits to the warren?
Chapter 13: Hospitality. Cowslip's warren is strangely conspicuous, and Hazel leads his rabbits down into it. They come to a huge burrow where all of the rabbits from the warren are gathered. Hazel's group quickly mixes among them, except Fiver, who sits apart.
What is Fiver's comment about the rabbits?
Fiver's comment that there is something unnatural about the rabbits and their warren appears to be right on target. Certainly the fact that Fiver—whose vision Hazel's group has relied upon during their journey—does not feel comfortable in the new warren suggests that there is something wrong with it. Yet Hazel, Bigwig, Blackberry, Pipkin and all of the others also notice some strange things. The art that Strawberry shows Hazel is extremely puzzling, as art is something that other rabbits simply do not make. The fact that these rabbits refuse to answer questions beginning with the word "where" is very puzzling, as is the fact that they live in a warren that is not concealed and that they seem to have no enemies. Beyond this, a man leaves large amounts of food in the field that the rabbits eat. On the whole, it appears to good to be true, and Fiver's sixth sense warns us that it probably is.
Overview
Watership Down is an adventure novel by English author Richard Adams, published by Rex Collings Ltd of London in 1972. Set in southern England, around Berkshire, the story features a small group of rabbits. Although they live in their natural wild environment, with burrows, they are anthropomorphised, possessing their own culture, language, proverbs, poetry, and mythology. Evoking epic theme…
Origin and publication history
The story began as tales that Richard Adams told his young daughters Juliet and Rosamund during long car journeys. He recounted in 2007 that he "began telling the story of the rabbits ... improvised off the top of [his] head, as [they] were driving along". The daughters insisted he write it down—"they were very, very persistent". After some delay he began writing in the evenings and completed it 18 months later. The book is dedicated to the two girls.
Plot summary
In the Sandleford warren, Fiver, a runty buck rabbit who is a seer, receives a frightening vision of his warren's imminent destruction. He and his brother Hazel fail to convince the Threarah, their Chief Rabbit, of the need to evacuate; they then try to convince the other rabbits, but only succeed in gaining nine followers, all bucks. Captain Holly of the Sandleford Owsla (the warren's military caste) a…
Characters
• Hazel: Fiver's elder brother, he is the novel's main protagonist. Though Hazel is not particularly large or powerful, he is loyal, brave, affectionate and a quick thinker. He sees the good in each individual, and what they bring to the table; in so doing, he makes sure no one gets left behind, thus earning the respect and loyalty of his warren. He becomes their Chief Rabbit in the process, with his na…
Lapine language
"Lapine" is a fictional language created by author Richard Adams for the novel, where it is spoken by the 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. The language fragments in the books consist of a few dozen distinct words, used mainly for the naming of rabbits, their mythological characters, and objects in their world. The name "Lapine" comes from the French w…
Themes
Watership Down has been described as an allegory, with the labours of Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and Silver "mirror[ing] the timeless struggles between tyranny and freedom, reason and blind emotion, and the individual and the corporate state." Adams draws on classical heroic and quest themes from Homer and Virgil, creating a story with epic motifs.
The book explores the themes of exile, survival, heroism, leadership, political responsibility, and t…
Reception
The Economist heralded the book's publication, saying "If there is no place for Watership Down in children's bookshops, then children's literature is dead." Peter Prescott, senior book reviewer at Newsweek, gave the novel a glowing review: "Adams handles his suspenseful narrative more dextrously than most authors who claim to write adventure novels, but his true achievement lies in the consistent, comprehensible and altogether enchanting civilisation that he has created." Kathl…
Adaptations
In the early 1970s Bo Hansson was introduced to the book by his then girlfriend. This gave him an idea to a new album in the same style as his Lord of the Rings album. In 1977 he released the all instrumental El-Ahrairah. The title was taken directly from the pages of Watership Down, with El-Ahrairah being the name of a trickster, folk-hero/deity rabbit, known as The Prince with a Thousand Enemies. In other countries the album was released as Music Inspired by Watership D…