Watership Down
By Richard Adams
Name______
PART I – The Journey
Chapter 1 – The Notice Board
1. Define the following Lapine terms:
outskirters:
owsla:
elil:
2. Fiver and Hazel are brothers, but they are very different. Describe each rabbit and the ways they are different.
3. Where did Fiver get his name?
4. Where is Fiver when he first alerts Hazel to the impending danger? Who or what do you think is the source of this danger? What was the omen the rabbits found?
Chapter 2 – The Chief Rabbit
1. Define the following Lapine term from this chapter:
ni-Frith:
2. Describe Thlayli. In what sense is Thlayli’s name a pun.
2. What special qualities does The Threarah possess which helps him to win the position as Chief Rabbit?
3. What is Fiver’s gift?
4. Why won’t the Chief listen to Fiver? How come Hazel believes him?
Chapter 3 – Hazel’s Decision
1. For what reasons does Bigwig leave the Owsla to join Hazel and the others when they leave the warren?
2. Define the following Lapine vocabulary words from this chapter:
Frithrah:
fuInle:
3. What do you learn about Bigwig’s personality from:
a. the fact he was going to leave the warren over his encounter with the chief?
b. his comment “Then you’ll be leaving the warren?” to Fiver and Hazel?
c. Hazel’s private thoughts about Bigwig?
4. What plan of action do Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and Dandelion decide on?
Chapter 4 – The Departure
1. Critics believe that one of the themes of this book is that man, like other animals, has natural instincts that should be recognized and developed. Find a passage in this chapter that illustrates this idea.
2. Describe Pipkin and Hawkbit. Why does Dandelion persuade only one additional rabbit to join Hazel and the others?
3. Why is Hazel happy to see that Buckthorn is joining the group? What does Hazel know about Speedwell and Acorn?
4. Describe Silver. Why does he decide to join the group?
5. Who is Holly? How does Holly respond when Bigwig and Silver refuse to be arrested for dissension?
6. The following characters are leaving the warren: Pipkin, Hawkbit, Dandelion, Silver,
Hazel, Fiver, Blackberry, Holly, and Bigwig. Does the author reveal anything about any of these characters?
Chapter 5 – In the Woods
1. Throughout this story, the reader learns about the natural behaviors, thoughts, and feelings of rabbits. For example, in this chapter, the reader learns that rabbits avoid “close woodland, where the ground is shady, damp and grassless” because rabbits “feel menaced by the undergrowth.”(Pg. 37) Find another example of natural rabbit behavior in this chapter.
2. Why did Lockley say that young rabbits must move out and find a suitable environment to survive?
3. What is the difficulty rabbits face with braving the unknown for too long?
4. Which rabbit is showing himself to be the leader? Give an example.
5. Who is El-ahrairah and why does Dandelion compare Hazel to him?
6. Why is it dangerous for rabbits to become so tired that they become “tharn”?
7. List two special abilities Dandelion possesses.
Chapter 6 – The story of the Blessing of El-ahrairah
1. A myth is a story through which a culture, in this case the rabbit culture, accounts for the origins of behaviors and natural phenomena in supernatural terms. A myth is different from a legend because there is less or no historical basis for a myth. A mythology is the group of myths shared, usually through oral storytelling, by members of a specific group. What aspect of rabbit behavior, appearance, or culture does the myth of the Blessing of El-ahrairah explain?
2. What is the meaning of the phrase, “Prince with a thousand Enemies?”
Chapter 7 – The Lendri and the River
1. For what reasons is Hazel worried that Bigwig will be troublesome?
2. One of the themes in this book is that good leadership needs many different qualities. What leadership skills does Hazel learn from The Threarah and then use himself to calm and control Bigwig?
3. How do rabbits feel about swimming?
4. What is a “lendri”?
5. Define a plover.
Chapter 8 – The Crossing
1. Why is Hazel reluctant to cross the river even after Bigwig alerts him to the loose dog in the woods?
2. In the first few chapters, the author is developing the characters. The incidents so far help the reader to understand specific character traits for each character, which will add believability(verisimilitude) and understanding to the events that follow. For example, the reader learns in this chapter that Pipkin is the most “panic-stricken and helpless” rabbit in the group.(Pg. 50) What character traits are revealed about Bigwig, Hazel, and Blackberry in this chapter?
Chapter 9 – The Crow and the Beanfield
1. What is ahrududu? Why does Hazel want to move the group into the bean field before ahrududu arrives?
2. Describe the strategy Bigwig and the others use to fight the crow who is attacking Fiver.
Chapter 10 – The Road and the Common
1. One of the themes in this story is that man needs to remain close to nature so as not to lose instincts and other natural abilities. For example, in Chapter 4, Adams describes the telepathic feeling running though the rabbits that lets them know when to begin a journey. Find the passage in this chapter that describes the way the rabbits live and also supports the above theme.
2. Why does Hazel tell Fiver, “…I’d rather succeed in doing what we can than fail to do what we can’t”? (Pg. 66)
3. In this novel, Fiver frequently foreshadows future events. What prediction does he make in this chapter?
Chapter 11 – Hard Going
1. An allegory is defined as a story that represents abstract ideas or moral qualities and has both a literal level and a symbolic level of meaning. Many critics believe this novel is an allegory discussing concepts such as morality, justice, honor, and family. In this chapter, the smaller rabbits want to know who is the Chief Rabbit. The author is identifying characteristics he believes are important in a leader. Compare Hazel and Bigwig and determine which rabbit, in your opinion, would make the best Chief Rabbit. Cite incidents from the story to support your selection.
2. For what reason does Blackberry declare that Hazel is the Chief Rabbit?
Chapter 12 – The Stranger in the Field
1. How do Bigwig and Hazel feel about the men who are living in the nearby farm?
2. In what ways is Cowslip different from the rabbits in Hazel’s group? How does Hazel feel about these differences?
3. Define the following Lapine term from this chapter:
hrair:
4. For what reasons are Hazel and the others tempted to accept Cowslip’s invitation to become part of this new warren?
5. Fiver is the only rabbit who does not want to accept Cowslip’s offer. For what reasons does Hazel decide to ignore Fiver’s opinion?
Chapter 13 – Hospitality
1. List three ways the construction and location of Cowslip’s warren surprises Hazel and the others.
2. Who is the Chief Rabbit of Cowslip’s burrow?
3. What evidence is there in Cowslip’s warren that the rabbits living there have a more developed artistic and cultural life than rabbits from other warrens? How do you account for this difference?
4. Strawberry pleasantly guides Hazel around the warren. In what way does Strawberry’s behavior puzzle Hazel? Why do you think Strawberry behaves in this way?
5. What type of question did Hazel ask the new rabbits which was never answered?
Why do you think this was so?
Chapter 14 – “Like Trees in November”
1. Define the following Lapine terms:
silflay:
flayrah:
2. Hazel and Blackberry are surprised when Cowslip begins to laugh because they want to go outside to eat instead of eating the food available in the burrow. Why do you suppose Cowslip reacts in this way?
3. The title of this chapter is “Like Trees in November.” Pipkin uses this phrase when he is talking about how sad Cowslip and the other new rabbits seem, even though they are so big and strong. What do you think is the significance of this phrase? What literary term is used in the title?
4. What new behavior or skill does Cowslip teach Hazel concerning lettuce?
5. Adams often uses interesting metaphors to help describe how one of the characters is feeling. Find an example of a metaphor in this chapter describing how Fiver feels and explain the metaphor.
6. Adams adds believability to his story about a group of rabbits by giving the rabbits a culture complete with rabbit proverbs and rabbit mythology. Find an example of a proverb in this chapter.
Chapter 15 – The Story of the King’s Lettuce
1. What are the details of the bargain El-ahrairah makes with Prince Rainbow?
2. How do Rabscuttle and then El-ahrairah gain admittance to King Darzin’s gated city?
Chapter 16 – Silverweed
1. Cowslip and the others seem to be unimpressed by Dandelion’s story, but Buckthorn cannot understand why the new rabbits react in this way. He believes that rabbits will always need the kind of tricks described in the story. Why do you think Cowslip and the others react in this way to Dandelion’s story? What do Cowslip think rabbits need more than tricks?
2. Fiver says Silverweed “smells like barley rained down and left to rot in the fields. He smells like a wounded mole that can’t get underground.”(Pg. 115) What does this description reveal about Silverweed’s character?
3. Why do you suppose Fiver becomes agitated after listening to Silverweed’s poem?
Chapter 17 – The Shining Wire
1. The quotations at the beginning of the chapters foreshadow the events that are in the chapters. What event does the quotation by W.H. Auden at the beginning of this chapter foreshadow?
2. What is the meaning of the following rabbit proverb:
“My heart had joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today”(Pg. 126)?
3. How do Cowslip and the others react when Fiver tells them that Bigwig is caught in a snare?
4. Why do Cowslip and the others pretend that they do not know the farmer is feeding them so he can harvest their meat and skins?
5. In what way does Cowslip deceive Hazel and the others?
6. What is the white blindness? Why does Buckthorn believe Strawberry might be infected with it?
PART II – On Watership Down
Chapter 18 – Watership Down
1. Find a passage in this chapter that illustrates the peaceful beauty Adams sees at Watership Down.
2. In what way does Bigwig’s near-death in the snare help to strengthen the group?
3. Adams explains some differences in the way both the rabbits and humanity perceive the natural world. List two of them.
4. What important discovery does Hawkbit make on Watership Down? Why are Hazel and Dandelion pleased with Watership Down when they reach the top of the hill?
Chapter 19 – Fear in the Dark
1. One of the themes of this novel is that mankind is intruding on and destroying nature. Cite an incident from this chapter supporting this idea.
2. Another theme in Watership down is that animals must adapt to survive. In what ways does Blackberry suggest the group adapt or change to improve the quality of life?
3. List two things Hazel learned from the warren of the Shining Wire that he wants to incorporate in the new warren at Watership Down.
4. Who arrives at the end of this chapter? What can you infer from his arrival?
Chapter 20 – A Honeycomb and a Mouse
1. Find an example of rabbit humor in this chapter.
2. Why do Hazel and the others refer to the new great burrow as the Honeycomb?
3. Why do you suppose Hazel decides to help the mouse escape the attacking bird?
4. Did Holly give any clues as to why he and the other rabbit left the old warren? What do you think happened?
Chapter 21 – “For El-ahrairah to Cry”
1. State a theme for this novel based on the following quotation:
“There’s terrible evil in the world,” [said Fiver.]
“It comes from men,” said Holly. “All other elil do what they have to do and Frith moves them as he moves us. They live on the earth and they need food. Men will never rest till they’ve spoiled the earth and destroyed the animals.”(Pg. 163)
2. How do the men destroy the warren at Sandleford?
3. Why does Toadflax believe the men decided to destroy Sandleford? What is the real reason?
4. Why does Holly try to find Bigwig? For what reasons do Cowslip and the other rabbits from the Warren of the Shining Wire attack Holly?
5. In what sense is Pimpernel’s death ironic?
Chapter 22 – The Story of the Trial of El-ahrairah
1. Why do you suppose Adams compares rabbits to humans in this novel, as in the paragraph below? What literary term is used in the second sentence?
“Rabbits (says Mr. Lockley) are like human beings in many ways. One of these is certainly their staunch ability to withstand disaster and to let the stream of their life carry them along, past reaches of terror and loss. They have a certain quality which it would not be accurate to describe as callousness or indifference. It is, rather, a blessedly circumscribed imagination and an intuitive feeling that Life is Now.” (Pg. 173)
2. Why does Hazel want to hear the story of the trial of El-ahrairah?
3. How did Hazel help the mouse? How did the mouse return the favor?
4. Why is cleaning dirt out of wounds so important?
5. What creature does Hazel especially wish to help?
Chapter 23 – Kehaar
1. Find an example of a rabbit proverb in this chapter.
2. Describe Kehaar. How does Hazel convince Kehaar that the rabbits truly want to help him?
3. Why does Bigwig decide to spend time with Kehaar? What information about Kehaar’s life does Bigwig share with the other rabbits?
4. Why does Hazel want Kehaar’s help?
5. For what reasons do Hazel and the others have trouble understanding Kehaar’s speech?
6. Describe the two locations Kehaar finds that contain does. Which rabbits are selected to fetch does for the warren? Why does Hazel believe some does may be willing to travel to Watership Down?
Chapter 24 – Nuthanger Farm
1. Why does Hazel decide to go to the Nuthanger Farm?
2. The rabbits at the farm are kept in cages. In what ways does this captivity retard the rabbit’s natural abilities?
3. Under what circumstances does Hazel believe cats are dangerous to rabbits?
4. How do Hazel and Pipkin outsmart the cat?
Chapter 25 – The Raid
1. Why does Fiver want Hazel to stay home from the raid? How does Hazel respond to Fiver’s warning?
2. How does Hazel get hurt during the raid?
3. What indications are there that Holly and the others are unsuccessful at getting does from the other warren?
Chapter 26 – Fiver Beyond
1. How does Fiver discover that Hazel is still alive?
Chapter 27 – “You Can’t Imagine It Unless You’ve Been There”
1. What price do the rabbits of Efrafa pay for their safety?
2. What is a Mark Captain?
3. In what ways does life in Efrafa change the natural behaviors of the rabbits?
4. Why do the Owslafa, or special guards, attack Blackavar?
5. Describe General Woundwort. What is his reaction to Holly’s request for does?
6. Find a passage in this chapter illustrating the idea that animals, who live free in nature, are superior to man.
7. Holly believes that Lord Frith sent a Messenger to save them from the EfrafanOwsla. Describe this messenger.
Chapter 28 – At the Foot of the Hill
1. How does Kehaar help Hazel to recover from his injuries?
2. List one important way human relationships are different from rabbit relationships.
3. Why do Hazel and the others decide to try again to get does from Efrafa? What three tricks must they accomplish? How does Fiver feel about the plan?
Chapter 29 – Return and Departure
1. Holly does not want to return to Efrafa. He says that the EfrafanOwslaare better at patrolling and tracking than he is. What does Hazel say to persuade Holly and the others to go on the raid?
2. How do Bigwig, Blackberry, and Kehaar help persuade the other rabbits to support Hazel’s plan?
3. Bluebell, the warren jester, says in the meeting:
“I think I shall have to come, just to satisfy my curiosity. I’ve been opening andshutting my mouth like a baby bird to know about this plan and no one putsanything in. I suppose Bigwig’s going to dress up as a hrududu and drive all thedoes across the field.”(Pg. 267)
Hazel becomes angry and tells Bluebell to shut up. Why do you suppose Hazel reacts this way to Bluebell’s joke?
PART III – Efrafa
Chapter 30 – A New Journey