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Similes
Chapter 11: Hard Going
Explanation and Analysis—Leadership:
In Chapter 11, Hazel leads his fellow Sandleford Warren refugees through a dense thicket in the nighttime—a dangerous escapade for prey animals with nocturnal predators. Remarkably, Hazel succeeds in guiding his group through. His success is an example of situational irony:
"Oh, Hazel," said Blackberry, coming up to him round a puddle in the gravel. "I was so tired and confused, I actually began to wonder whether you knew where you were going. I could hear you in the heather, saying 'Not far now' and it was annoying me. I thought you were making it up. I should have known better. Frithrah, you're what I call a Chief Rabbit!"
"Well done, Hazel!" said Buckthorn. "Well done!"
Hazel did not know what to reply. He looked at them in silence and it was Acorn who spoke next.
Related Themes:
Chapter 12: The Stranger in the Field
Explanation and Analysis—Elil:
In an example of foreshadowing from Chapter 12, Hazel, Blackberry, and Dandelion scout ahead, scenting a suspicious and strange lack of elil in their vicinity:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"I don't think it makes much difference where we do a bit of scratching," he said. "It's all good, so far as I can see. Not the slightest trace of elil, no scent or tracks or droppings. That seems unusual, but it may be just that the home warren attracted more elil than other places. Anyway, we ought to do well here.
Related Themes:
Chapter 48: Dea ex Machina
Explanation and Analysis—Human Savior:
While the rabbits are used to thinking of all humans as elil, it is not so in Watership Down. In fact, in an instance of situational irony, it is a human being—Lucy of Nuthanger Farm—who rescues Hazel from his gunshot wound (inflicted by a human who was elil).
In the following passage from Chapter 48, Lucy argues with her father, advocating on Hazel's behalf:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"Look at yore feet! En I told you—Wha' got there, then?"
"Rabbit," said Lucy defensively.
"In yer nightdress an' all, catch yore bloomin' death. Wha' want with 'im, then?"
"Goner keep 'im."
"You ain't!"
"Ah, Dad. 'E's nice."
" 'E won't be no bloomin' good t'yer. You put 'im in 'utch 'e'll only die. You can't keep woild rabbit. 'N if 'e gets out 'e'll do all manner o' bloomin' 'arm."
"But 'e's bad, Dad. Cat's bin at 'im."
Related Themes:
Chapter 50: And Last
Explanation and Analysis—Woundwort's Death:
In the following example of situational irony from Chapter 50, General Woundwort asserts that "dogs aren't dangerous":
Unlock with LitCharts A+The dog, coming suddenly upon him face to face among the rough tussocks, recoiled a moment, startled and confused. Then it sprang forward; and even as they ran, his Owsla could hear the General’s raging, squealing cry,
“Come back, you fools! Dogs aren’t dangerous! Come back and fight!”
Related Themes:
