The Wars, by Timothy Findley, has numerous symbols and images. However, the symbolism of the four natural elements is very pervasive and effective. Findley uses the symbols of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire in two ways: benevolent and harmful. Findley explicitly conveys the message that a war perverts Nature.
Findley gives a good description of "the mud", symbolizing its harshness and hostile nature by giving it "colour of steel."(p.76) The erosion of the topsoil indicates no growth and friendliness towards humans, "Over most of the plain there isn't a trace of topsoil: only sand and clay."(p.76) Robert faces a hostile confrontation when he is almost drowned in the mud, "Suddenly his right foot went down. All the way down to the knee through the earth. Dear Jesus---he was going to drown."(p.85) Robert's struggle to free himself from the mud can be compared to his attempt to set the horses free, "He began to push again and to life---thrusting his pelvis upward harder and harder---faster and faster against the mud."(p.86) Another example of Earth turning hostile can be seen when the men's dugout collapses under the heavy mortar firing, and Robert thinks that the Earth has killed his bugler Poole, "Poole. The ledge cut into the earth where he"d been lying had completely disappeared."(p.124-125) Earth is not pure anymore, and has been contaminated by the chemical warfare. The natural facts of Earth are gone, "It stank of sulphur and chlorine."(p.125) Robert tries to fulfil Rodwell's wish by restoring the toad to its natural earthly habitat, "Early that morning, Robert had released the toad beneath a hedge .The toad at once had begun to burrow into the welcome mud. It threw the dirt in all directions --- making a nest for itself until its eyes were all that could be seen."(p.155) Thus, Earth conveys two different ideas: nurturing and hostility.
Like Earth, Air undergoes several transformations resulting in a fatal effect for human beings.
