How is tension built in Chapter One of Watership Down? CAND 8

How is tension built in Chapter One of Watership Down? Candidate 8

The first chapter of “Watership Down is fairly interesting, as it opens on an incredibly peaceful scene with only small hints at any danger.  Despite this, the quote used to introduce the chapter is unpleasant, and at once gives the idea of what is to come.

The chapter itself uses the first line, “The primroses were over.”  Instantaneously, there is an image that, as well as simply giving an indication of the season, also highlights the death of a beautiful thing; similar imagery is seen in the description of the brook, “half-choked with king-cups”, which could indicate that the flow of nature is being hindered by a being that calls itself higher – and this is what the humans are doing when they destroy the Sandleford warren.

Nonetheless, the imagery is picturesque, with some minor focus on gates and tracks, possibly foreshadowing the theme of adventure.  When the rabbits are described, there is a scene of nature at its prettiest, and the first description of Hazel adds to this as he is described as looking as if “he knew how to take care of himself”, and “had not the harassed look of most ‘outskirters’”.  This peaceful scene is mildly disrupted by Fiver’s initial appearance, and his obvious lack of ease does give the idea that, despite the beauty of the place, something is wrong; the conversation between two other rabbits on Fiver’s actions somehow does not dissipate this.

Another factor that goes against this otherwise utopian scene is the intrusion of Toadflax, a member of the Owsla, as he bullies Hazel and Fiver out of a cowslip: this immediately shows that the warren, although seemingly happy, has an authoritative undertone and an obvious hierarchy within which outskirters have no voice. This, in turn, already shows the potential of the introducing quote to be mirrored.  Fiver’s description of his feelings – “something oppressive, like thunder” – seems to fit well.

This description could be interesting, too, when the situation is considered.  The two rabbits discover a sign, and in its direct vicinity, the area “reeks of creosote and paint”, as well as containing a hammer, nails and a cigarette butt.  There could be the idea of the area being poisoned by the presence of humans, and to a wild animal, the sound of vehicles – especially those used for demolition and suchlike – would sound like thunder.  It is almost as if Fiver has predicted accurately the destructive storm that will destroy the warren, but hasn’t the knowledge to have any idea as to what this entails.

Fiver soon gets hysterical, and this is where the tension of the chapter reaches its peak: the weather, which seemed so pleasant when first described, casts light Fiver believes to be blood, and the oppression Fiver feels as he is “surrounded on all sides by the quiet summer evening” is obvious – the claustrophobia caused by being surrounded by those who couldn’t believe in your worry if they tried is felt hugely. There is use of pathetic fallacy as Hazel and Fiver return to the warren, as the weather darkens and the cold and rain set in – especially the line, “All colour had faded from the sky” indicates strongly the death of a peaceful and beautiful day, and, in turn, the death of a (relatively speaking) peaceful and beautiful existence in the Sandleford warren.  The fairly friendly language on the sign that the rabbits cannot read is incredibly sinister, as the letters act as “knives” – death could be seen as inevitable for the rabbits.