The Role Of Earth, Air, Fire And Water In The Wars Essay, Research Paper

The Role of Earth, Air, Fire and Water in THE WARS

Earth, fire, air and water play significant symbolic roles throughout the novel. They constantly change from the ordinary and life bearing to the unnatural and life threatening depending on if they are associated with the domestic life and the terrifying world of the wars.

Earth  By earth they mean dryland and the ground, which consists of soil, dirt and rocks. The earth signifies form, structure, security and stability. Mother Earth is the ancient spiritual symbol which gave us life and formed all living things (plants, animals, etc.). Earth is what nurtures life, its always stable, solid and almost unchanged.

“Robert waited—holding his breath—thinking they were going to be buried alive. But the heaving stopped at last and it appeared that whatever was going to collapse had done so.” (Findley, 122)

“ The dead all lay with their faces in the mud—or turned to the walls of the trench. This was the only way they could be told apart from the wounded. All were a uniform shade of grey.” (Findley, 131)

“ Here, there was at least the promise of green. The toad at once had begun to burow into the welcome mud.” (Findley, 155)

Air  Air is what we breathe. It is an element of new life and possibilities. It is a component of thought and creativity. Without air, thought will have no movement or action. It also has to do with freedom.

“ The melting snow began to turn to mist and the mist was filled with rabbits and Rowena and his father and his mother and the whole of his past life—birth and death and childhood. He could breathe them in and breathe them out.” (Findley, 14)

“ The air was blue with smoke and this plus the tremendous heat from the boilers drew off the oxygen. Everyone suffered from the headaches and men who’d lived outdoors all their lives passed out because they couldn’t breathe.” (Findley, 58)

“It tumbled over the edge and began to spread out over their heads—drifting on a layer of cold, dank air rising from the pool below them. Jesus. Gas.” (Findley, 137)

Fire  Fire is the element of change, passion, authority and leadership. Household (domestic) fire represents comfort, friendliness and human strength. Fire is used to stimulate growth and to tie family and friends together in unity. It is also a sign of hope and positiveness. And fire represents warmth, heat, energy and light.

“Men, it was said, carrying tanks of fire on their backs came in advance of the troops and spread the fire with hoses. Water burned and snow went up in smoke. Nothing remained”.(Findley, 147)

Water  Water is a liquid that falls as rain, snow and hail, which forms the earth’s oceans, rivers, lakes and ponds. Water comes in many shapes and sizes, as a solid, liquid or gas. Its transparent and has no colour, smell, or taste when it is in its pure form. Water is an element of sensation which represents purification, affection, knowledge, compassion and family (unity).

“He could hear himself breathing. Whimpering. He closed his eyes. I don’t want to drown, he thought. Please don’t drown.” (Findley, 87)

“ Out of the air and inot the water. Out of my world into theirs. And I’d stay there hours. Or so it seemed. I’d think: I never have to breathe again.” (Findley, 104)

“ Everyone who’s born has come from the sea. Your mother’s womb is just the sea in small. And birds come of sea eggs.” “We are the ocean—walking on land.” (Findley, 117)

The symbolic meanings of the elements change throughout the novel, as they are associated with either family or military life. The symbols do not remain still throughout the novel. Meanings change according to whether they are associated with domestic life or with the frightening world of the wars.