Robert has a strong connection with humanity and its purity, especially in the aspects of animals and the elements. The imagery of animals throughout the novel is prominent. Robert often draws guidance from animals and in fact, Robert in the story is often described as an animal see in “Robert sat on his haunches” (148) and “Robert saw a white farm with cows in the yard and he thought there cannot be a war” (191). This shows that this image contrasts so much with the horrors of the war that he cannot believe that a war is even happening, destroying humanity along with it. Robert wishes that the war would end so that the simple peace of an everyday farm could be returned to the world. This image highlights the recurring symbol of how the world …show more content…
When Robert sees the drawing, he notices that “the shading is not quite human; it is a combination of animal and human qualities” (155). This is a representation of Robert’s own personality, “modified and mutated, he is one with the others” (155). As the war progresses, more of Roberts struggle to maintain resilience is shown. Robert’s final act to maintain his resilience in the face of war is his attempt to save the horses. “If an animal had done this, we would call it mad and shoot it.”(184). As Captain Leather refuses to allow Robert to save the horses, Robert decides to kill Captain Leather, holding him responsible because he felt that Leather represented the corrupt thinking and ignorance of those who support the destructiveness of the war. “He got out his Webley, meaning to shoot the animals not yet dead, but he paused for the barest moment looking at the whole scene laid out before him and his anger rose to such a pitch that he feared he was going to go over into madness”(184). This shows how Robert in the end had to struggle not to become a madman, where the only thing a madman knew was to