Watership Down (1972) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters edit see section history

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• Hazel: An outsider at Sandleford Warren and a yearling newly come of age. Hazel heeds his brother Fiver's warning of danger and leads a group of rabbits away from the warren.
• Fiver: A small buck, a runt and outsider of Sandleford Warren. Fiver is plagued by horrific visions of the future. His actual name is "Hrairoo", which is Lapine for "little thousand"; so-named because he was last of a litter of 5 or more kittens (hrair = 5 or more, since rabbits can only count to 4). Fiver's brother Hazel believes in his visions of danger, and organizes an exodus of rabbits away from the warren.
• Bigwig: A large and powerful rabbit and a new member of the Sandleford Owsla (fighting clique of buck rabbits). He is named "Thlayli" in Lapine, because of the unusual tuft of fur on his head. Bigwig joins Hazel and Fiver in their exodus from Sandleford Warren. Of the exile band, he is the the biggest and most fearless fighter.
• Blackberry: An unusually smart rabbit. A friend of Hazel and a member of his band of hlessil (wandering rabbits). Relied upon to think on his feet, often of a means of escape or trickery of Elil, Blackberry is the go-to rabbit when the traveling band is in need of a plan. He understands concepts that the other rabbits are unable to grasp.
• Dandelion: Storyteller. A member of Hazel's original band of rabbits, and the fastest runner. An irreverent and cheerful rabbit who is able to out-run any danger. His tales form the basis for the rabbit legends in the book.
• Pipkin: A small, loyal, companion of Hazel. A juvenile, he is the most vulnerable member of Hazel's party. His Lapine name is "Hlao" or "Hlao-roo" (a small depression in the grass).
• Lord Frith: "Frithrah" -- Lord Frith (an epithet). The god of the rabbits. The Sun.
• El-ahrairah: The mythical hero of rabbits. His name means "prince of a Thousand Enemies".
• Black Rabbit of Inlé: The rabbits' grim reaper, lord of the underworld. Associated with Inlé, the Moon.
• Hyzenthlay: "Shine-dew-fur" -- literally, "fur shining like dew". A doe of the Near Hind Mark in Efrafa. Born in the Right Fore Mark to a captive mother from Nutley Copse. One of those who led the group wishing to start a new warren. A poet, she has a sixth sense like Fiver.
• General Woundwort: The leader of Efrafa. A powerful tyrant, he is utterly fearless. He grew up wild and strong, with a hatred of humans and elil -- big as a hare and unlike any rabbit. He founded the warren of Efrafa on the site of the Crixa.
• Campion: One of the Captains in Efrafa. Leader of the Wide Patrol and the best tracker of all the rabbits, he is honorable, fearless and unquestioningly loyal to his Chief. A formidable opponent, second only to Woundwort.
• Vervain: Captain of Owslafa ("Council Police"). One of the most hated rabbits in Efrafa.
• Blackavar: He tried to leave the warren. A rabbit in Efrafa whose ears have been torn to shreds.
• Holly: Captain of the Sandleford Warren Owsla. A stern and pragmatic older veteran.
• Bluebell: Holly's companion. A preternaturally cheerful rabbit who entertains others with his jokes.
• Kehaar: Hailing from 'Big Water,' a place where the earth stops, this black-headed seagull is a hard-headed but helpful foreigner who allies himself with the band after they keep him from starving to death.
• Silver: A heavy-set rabbit with silver-grey fur, he is the only Owsla member persuaded by Bigwig to join the exodus from Sandleford Warren. The group sometimes rely on him for defense. Nephew of the Threarah.
• Buckthorn: One of Hazel's companions, a yearling that escapes the Sandleford warren with Hazel's original band of rabbits. He is a tough, sturdy fellow who would have eventually grown to be a member of the Sandleford Owsla.
• Hawkbit: A yearling that escapes the Sandleford warren with Hazel's original band of rabbits. Hazel considers him to be rather slow and stupid, but he is not afraid to challenge authority.
• Acorn: He is an outskirter who joins Hazel's original band of rabbits. An ill-fed youth of six months.
• Speedwell: He is an outskirter who joins Hazel's original band of rabbits. An ill-fed youth of six months.
• Cowslip: Spokesperson for a warren the rabbits visit, the warren of the Shining Wire: an immensely old, large and well-built warren where the rabbits have peculiar, almost man-like customs. A very big rabbit, sleek and handsome. He refuses to say what has happened to another rabbit.
• Strawberry: One of the rabbits from Cowslip's Warren. Touchingly devoted to Nildro-hain. He shows Hazel how the Great Burrow was dug.
• Nildro-hain: "Blackbird's Song". The name of a doe, Strawberry's mate.
• Silverweed: Poet and prophet of Cowslip's Warren. A juvenile rabbit, twitchy and nervous. His song terrifies Fiver.
• Laburnum: "Poison Tree" in Lapine. A rabbit of Cowslip's Warren, who once placed the stones in the wall.
• Threarah: "the" Threarah (Lord Rowan Tree). Chief Rabbit of Sandleford Warren.
• Prince Rainbow: Sometime enemy of El-ahrairah. He is given dominion over the Earth in Lord Frith's absence.
• Rabscuttle: El-ahrairah's faithful friend and companion.
• Hufsa: the Traitor. He was sent by Prince Rainbow to spy on El-Ahrairah.
• Thethuthinnang: "Movement of Leaves". An Efrafan doe of the Near Hind Mark. Hyzenthlay's close companion.
• Thrayonlosa: An Efrafan doe, one of the group led by Hyzenthlay.
• Nelthilta: Rabbit of Efrafa. A pretty young doe born in the Near Hind Mark. She speaks openly against the Owsla.
• Vilthuril: An Efrafan doe, one of the group led by Hyzenthlay.
• Clover: Hutch rabbit, an Angora doe. A strong, active rabbit who is excited at Hazel's tales of the outside world.
• Boxwood: Hutch rabbit. Black-and-white Himalayan.
• Haystack: Hutch rabbit. Black-and-white Himalayan doe, Boxwood's mate.
• Laurel: Hutch rabbit. An Angora male, he is reluctant to go outside.
• Toadflax: A young, brash and arrogant officer of the Sandleford Owsla.
• Pimpernel: A rabbit of Sandleford Warren who later leaves. He shows Bluebell the way out.
• Nightshade: A rabbit of Sandleford Warren who accompanies the Threarah on his daily excursions.
• Celandine: A rabbit of Sandleford Warren whom Bluebell encountered in the Slack Run.
• Scabious: A rabbit of Sandleford Warren, shot by a child working for exterminators. His death haunts Capt. Holly.
• Nose-in-the-Air: A rabbit of Sandleford Warren, one of two who escaped the exterminators.
• Captain Chervil: "Capt. Chervil" -- Owsla of Efrafa, Captain of the Near Hind Mark. A callous and unimaginative martinet.
• Avens: Rabbit of Efrafa. Lieutenant of the Near Hind Mark under Chervil.
• Marjoram: Rabbit of Efrafa. A sentry of the Near Hind Mark who is friendly with Thlayli.
• Mallow: "Capt. Mallow" -- Owsla of Efrafa, Captain of the Right Fore mark. He tracked a band to Caesar's Belt.
• Groundsel: "Sayn" (Lapine). Presumptive Captain of the Right Fore mark. He volunteered for the Great Patrol.
• Thistle: Rabbit of Efrafa. A young rabbit of the Neck Mark. Part of the Great Patrol.
• Sanfoin: "Capt. Sanfoin" -- Owsla of Efrafa, Captain of the Neck Mark.
• Bugloss: "Capt. Bugloss" -- Owsla of Efrafa, Captain of the Right Flank mark, where the captives were imprisoned.
• Charlock: "Capt. Charlock" -- Efrafan Owsla on Wide Patrol, who pursued Holly across the Iron Road.
• Bartsia: Member of the Efrafan Owslafa (or Council Police). One of Blackavar's sentries.
• Snowdrop: One of the Council chiefs of Efrafa -- a very old rabbit. Responsible for the building of Efrafa and security of its burrows. Extremely shrewd and intelligent for a rabbit.
• Thunder: Rabbit of Efrafa. A powerful, heavy veteran. Volunteered for the Great Patrol.
• Ragwort: Rabbit of Efrafa. A heavy, stolid Owsla sentry, veteran of the attack on Nutley Copse. Described as the most unimaginative rabbit.
• Orchis: A certain Capt. Orchis, commander of the Wide Patrol of Efrafa that discovered the warren at Nutley Copse.
• Fiorin: Presumptive chief of the warren near Cole Henley.
• Threar: Kitten of Vilthuril. Lapine for "a mountain tree or rowan ash".
• Young Scabious: Kitten of Clover. A feisty youth.
• Yona: "the" Hedgehog named in Lapine language (pl. yonil) and folktales. Likes to eat slugs. Fooled by El-ahrairah.
• Hawock: "the" Pheasant named in Lapine language and folktales. Hates to swim. Fooled by El-ahrairah.
• King Darzin: Enemy of El-ahrairah, and the ruler of an unknown people. "No rabbit who tells the tales of El-ahrairah can say what kind of creatures they were or what they looked like."
• Loosestrife: "Capt. Loosestrife". Fictional rabbit, one of El-ahrairah's Owsla, who fought against King Darzin according to Dandelion. El-ahrairah left him behind in his journey to the underworld.
• Rowsby Woof: Enemy of El-ahrairah. Legendary dog, "a wooly sort of animal" and "the most objectionable, malicious, disgusting brute that ever licked a man's hand".
• Tab: Tabby cat, one of the Elil who guard Nuthanger farm.
• Lucy: Human Girl of Nuthanger Farm.
• Doctor Adams: A doctor who visits Nuthanger Farm.
• Bigwig: WEIRD
• John Henry: Add a description of this character.
• Hlao: Lapin name of Fiver
• Thlayli: Lapin name for Bigwig
• Dame Hickory
• Fairy Wogdog
• Queen Dripslobber
• General
• Azel
• Marli
• Moneywort: One of the Efrafa sentry rabbits

Quotes edit see section history

• “They want to be natural, the anti-social little beasts... everyone's good depends on everyone's cooperation.”

  Chervil

• “If a rabbit gave advice and the advice wasn't accepted, he immediately forgot it, and so did everyone else.”

  Hyzenthlay

• “Rabbits need dignity and, above all, the will to accept their fate.”

  Silverweed

• “Did you see his body? No. Did anyone? No. Nothing could kill him. He made rabbits bigger than they've ever been—braver, more skillful, more cunning. I know we paid for it. Some gave their lives. It was worth it, to feel we were Efrafans. For the first time ever, rabbits didn't go scurrying away. The elil feared us. And that was on account of Woundwort—him and no one but him. We weren't good enough for the General.”

  Groundsel

• “Many human beings say that they enjoy the winter, but what they really enjoy is feeling proof against it.”

  Narrator

• “'Are you angry, El-ahrairah?' asked Lord Frith. 'No, my lord,' replied El-ahrairah, 'I am not angry. But I have learned that with creatures one loves, suffering is not the only thing for which one may pity them. A rabbit who does not know when a gift has made him safe is poorer than a slug, even though he may think otherwise himself.' "'Wisdom is found on the desolate hillside, El-ahrairah, where none comes to feed, and the stony bank where the rabbit scratches a hole in vain.'”

  El-ahrairah & Lord Frith

• “I will go with you, I will be rabbit-of-the-leaves, / In the deep places of the earth, the earth and the rabbit. Frith lies in the evening sky... O take me with you, dropping behind the woods, / Far away, to the heart of light... The shining circle of the sun, the sun and the rabbit.”

  Silverweed

• “"Siflay hraka, u embleer Rah." (Roughly: Eat shit, you pathetic king.)”

  Bigwig

• Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers

• Who wants to hear about brave deeds when he’s ashamed of his own, and who likes an open, honest tale from someone he’s deceiving?

  Highlighted by 73 Kindle customers

• To come to the end of a time of anxiety and fear! To feel the cloud that hung over us lift and disperse—the cloud that dulled the heart and made happiness no more than a memory! This at least is one joy that must have been known by almost every living creature.

  Highlighted by 70 Kindle customers

• Quant au courage moral, il avait trouvé fort rare, disait-il, celui de deux heures après minuit; c’est-à-dire le courage de l’improviste.

  Highlighted by 59 Kindle customers

• “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.

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• ‘El-ahrairah, your people cannot rule the world, for I will not have it so. All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.’

  Highlighted by 54 Kindle customers

• Love the animals. God has given them the rudiments of thought and joy untroubled. Don’t trouble it, don’t harass them, don’t deprive them of their happiness, don’t work against God’s intent. Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

  Highlighted by 48 Kindle customers

• ‘That wasn’t why they destroyed the warren. It was just because we were in their way. They killed us to suit themselves.’

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• Odysseus brings not one man to shore with him. Yet he sleeps sound beside Calypso and when he wakes thinks only of Penelope.

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• A rabbit who does not know when a gift has made him safe is poorer than a slug, even though he may think otherwise himself.’ “‘Wisdom is found on the desolate hillside, El-ahrairah, where none comes to feed, and the stony bank where the rabbit scratches a hole in vain.

  Highlighted by 35 Kindle customers

• Human beings say, “It never rains but it pours.” This is not very apt, for it frequently does rain without pouring. The rabbits’ proverb is better expressed. They say, “One cloud feels lonely”:

  Highlighted by 34 Kindle customers

Setting & Locations edit see section history

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• Sandleford Warren: A rabbit warren on the outskirts of Sandleford in Hampshire, England. The opening setting.
• Efrafa: The strict encampment of a warren led by General Woundwort. Located at the Crixa.
• Nuthanger Farm: A farm near Watership Down. Real location.
• Watership Down: This hill is one of the "downs" (chalk bluffs) for which England's South Downs are known.
• The Honeycomb: The rabbit warren at Watership Down. Located under the roots of a great beech tree.
• Cowslip's Warren: A warren encountered while on the rabbits' journey. Also known as the Shining Wire.
• Crixa: The crossing of two bridle paths on a farm near Laverstoke, England. Site of Efrafa.
• River Test: Or Great River, a trout stream running through the grounds of Laverstoke House, Hampshire, England.
• Iron Road: Railroad between Overton and Whitchurch, Hampshire. South boundary of the known lands of Efrafa.
• Caesar's Belt: Path of the ancient Roman Road in Hampshire, England. Bounded by woods in the South Downs.
• The Common: Newtown Common, an ancient peat meadow on the outskirts of Newtown, Hampshire, England.
• Frith Copse: An orchard near Cowslip's Warren.
• Hare Warren Down: One of the "downs" (chalk bluffs) for which England's South Downs are known.
• Iron Tree: The pylon at the base of Watership Down, which emits an eerie humming sound.
• Enborne Crossing: A small stream running between Sandleford and Newtown, Hampshire, England.
• Nutley Copse: A wooded area in Overton, Hampshire. Site of the warren where Hyzenthlay's people are from.
• The Great Burrow: An "enormous" hall in the Warren of the Shining Wire.

Organizations edit see section history

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• Sandleford Owsla: The elites of the "original warren."
• Owsla: A fighting clique of (typically) buck rabbits including the beta male or Captain of Owsla. "A group of strong or clever rabbits — second-year or older — surrounding the Chief Rabbit and his doe and exercising authority."
• Owslafa: The "Council Police" or secret police of Efrafa, a concept found only there.
• Efrafa: A large and unusual warren, operated as a hive-like unit to protect from humans. Divided into "marks".
• Efrafan Owsla: Owsla of Efrafa. Divided into "marks" (physical scars on different parts of the body) controlled by their mark captain. Unlike other warrens, Efrafa has multiple captains of Owsla, one per mark. e.g. the Neck Mark.
• The Council: The "leading officials" in Efrafa. Authority is given to rabbits with various talents under Woundwort.
• Wide Patrol: Institution used for training candidates for Owsla of Efrafa by sending them out on tracking missions.
• Cowslip's Warren: A warren of no discernable organization, but informally led by Cowslip, whose rabbits have abandoned the tales of El-ahrairah to create their own ideas through art and music, similar to early humans, in order to cope with the stress of knowing their own demise.
• Caesar's Belt Warren: Show spoilers on the Shelfari page for details. ^^

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• Lapine: The language common to all rabbits. Accents vary between warrens.
• Bob-stones: A traditional game among rabbits.
• Crixa, the: The Center of Efrafa, at the crossing point of the brindle paths.
• Efrafa: The name of the warren founded by General Woundwort.
• El-ahrairah: The rabbit folk hero. The name (Elil-hrair-rah) means "Enemies-Thousand-Prince" = the Prince with a Thousand Enemies (of rabbits.).
• Elil: Enemies of rabbits.
• Embleer: Stinking, e.g. the smell of a fox.
• Flay: Food, e.g. grass or other green fodder.
• Flayrah: Unusually good food, e.g. lettuce.
• Frith: The sun, personified as a god by rabbits. Frithrah! = the lord of sun-used as an exclamation.
• Fu Inle: After moonrise.
• Hlao: Any dimple or depression in the grass, such as that formed by a daisy plant or thistle, which can hold moisture. The name of a rabbit.
• Hlao-roo: "Little Hlao." An affectionate diminutive of the name of Hlao, one of the rabbits in the story.
• Hlessi: A rabbit living above ground without a regular hole or warren. A wandering rabbit, living in the open. (Plural, hlessil.)
• Homba: A fox. (Plural, hombil.)
• Hrair: A great many; an uncountable number; any number over four. U Hrair - The Thousand (enemies).
• Hrairoo: "Little Thousand." The name of Fiver in Lapine.
• Hraka: Droppings, excreta.
• Hrududu: A tractor, car or any motor vehicle. (Plural, hrududil)
• Hyzenthlay: Literally, "Shine-dew-fur" = Fur shining like dew. The name of a doe.
• Inle: Literally, the moon; also moonrise. But a second meaning carries the idea of darkness, fear and death.
• Lendri: A badger.
• Marli: A doe. Also carries the meaning "mother."
• M'saion: "We meet them."
• Narn: Nice, pleasant (to eat).
• Ni Frith: Noon.
• Nildro-hain: "Blackbrid's Song." The name of a doe.
• Owsla: The strongest rabbits in a warren, the ruling clique.
• Owslafa: The Council police (a word found only in Efrafa).
• Pfeffa: A cat.
• Rah: A prince, leader or chief rabbit. Usually as a suffix. E.g. Threarah = Lord Threar.
• Roo: Use as a suffix to denote a diminutive. E.g. Hrairoo.
• Sayn: Groundsel.
• Silf: Outside, that is, not underground.
• Silflay: To go above ground to feed. Literally, to feed outside. Also used as a noun.
• Tharn: Stupefied, distraught, hypnotized with fear. But can also, in certain contexts mean "looking foolish," or again "heartbroken" or "forlorn."
• Thethuthinnang: "Movement of Leaves." The name of a doe.
• Thlay: Fur.
• Thlayli: "Fur-head." A nickname.
• Threar: A rowan tree, or mountain ash.
• Vair: To excrete, pass droppings.
• Yona: A hedgehog. (Plural, yonil.)
• Zorn: Destroyed, murdered. Denotes a catastrophe.

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

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• Home: show spoilers on the Shelfari page for details. --->
• Leadership: show spoilers for details.
• Nature: show spoilers for details.
• Government and Society: show spoilers for details.
• The Hero's Journey: show spoilers for details.
• Folktales and Mythology: show spoilers for details.
• Religion and Self-identity: show spoilers for details.
• Adapting: show spoilers for details.
• Trickery: show spoilers for details.
• Humanity: show spoilers for details.

Series & Lists edit see section history

Followed by Tales from Watership Down.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Richard Adams (Author)

Other Contributors:

1. Pauline Baynes (Illustrator) - Did illustrations in the version with the red compass rose on the cover.

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Carnegie Medal (1972)
• Guardian Award (1973, Winner)
• BBC's Big Read (April 2003, #42)
• Mythopoeic Fantasy Award (Finalist, 1975, Finalist)

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: PZ10.3.A197 Wat, PR6051.D345
• Dewey: 823.914

Notes for Parents edit see section history

While subject material is appropriate for ages 9-12, the reading level varies, with some passages (references to classic literature, unfamiliar references to the rabbit's natural environment and living habits) being quite adult. The opening quote from the book: "Why do you cry out thus, unless at some vision of horror? The house reeks of death" (Aeschylus) The book can and should be appreciated as an adventure story by mature 9-12 year olds, especially those with an interest in nature, and may be suitable for reading aloud to younger children (with adult explanation). However, the language, themes and elaborate subtext of the novel is geared to mature readers and adults 12-up, and the book is considered to be an adult novel.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Science Fiction & Fantasy › Authors, A-Z › ( A ) › Adams, Richard
• Books › Teens › Literature & Fiction › Classics
• Books › Science Fiction & Fantasy › Fantasy
• Books › Literature & Fiction
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Contemporary
• Books › Literature & Fiction › Classics
• Books › Teens › Science Fiction & Fantasy › Fantasy

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

• Library of Congress Online Card Catalog
• Book and Film Review: Richard Adams always claimed that Watership Down wasn’t an allegory. Well, it doesn’t really matter, because it reads so well as one. Perhaps it’s the influence of the film, especially the way the Efrafrans are portrayed, but I always thought of it as an allegory about the second World War. We have the desperate flight away from certain death. We have the desperate last stand along the water against the coming evil. Then we have the final battle in which evil is vanquished. Of course, it’s so much more than that. That’s part of what makes it such an incredible novel. We have rabbits – one of the least interesting life forms, and they are brought amazingly to life. Adams immediately gives us a sense of the overwhelming danger of their world. Everything can kill them, everything will try to kill them. But as it says on the movie poster, first they must catch them.

Movie Connections edit see section history

• Watership Down (1978) (IMDb): Animated film starring the voices of John Hurt, Richard Briers, Michael Graham Cox, and Zero Mostel

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Books That Cite This Book edit see section history

Books Cited by This Book edit see section history