What do you get when you cross grand epic with rabbits? Why, Watership Down, of course! It's been altogether too long since I've revisited this book, and the writing has drawn me in all over again.
In the beginning of the book, there is a nice potential tension set up between Hazel and Bigwig. Hazel is obviously the center of the narrative, but Bigwig is a more obvious Chief Rabbit because he is stronger and more imposing. What I'm finding especially interesting about this dynamic this read-through is how Hazel misjudges Bigwig.
We meet Bigwig when Hazel and Fiver go to see The Threarah. Bigwig is on sentry duty, and he could have turned them away. However, Bigwig thinks Hazel a "sensible fellow" and obviously respects him. In spite of this, Hazel still has internal reservations about Bigwig leaving the warren with them, thinking the following: "[. . .] although Bigwig would certainly be a useful rabbit in a tight corner, he would also be a difficult one to get on with. He certainly would not want to do what he was told--or even asked--by an outskirter."
These thoughts are shown false almost immediately as the group is leaving. Bigwig starts to give his advice, but is shot down by Hazel before he presents his thought. Hazel leads the group to leave, and that is that. Bigwig lets Hazel take the lead, and off they go.
When Bigwig talks to Hazel next, it is out of concern for the weaker members of the group that he informs Hazel they need to stop and rest. The fact Bigwig talks to Hazel rather than address the group directly already shows Bigwig acknowledges Hazel's leadership. Hazel gets to declare the decision to rest. When Blackberry asks Bigwig to swim the river and investigate, he does what he is asked because he sees the sense in it. When Pipkin and Fiver are floating in the river because they were too weak to swim, Bigwig pushes them across. When Pipkin is attacked by a crow, Bigwig comes to his rescue and shows concern. When the other rabbits start to turn on Hazel and question his leadership, Bigwig does go too far, but uses the influence he knows he has to show he doesn't approve of the grumblings against Hazel.
The key moments that officially establish Hazel as Chief Rabbit are still to come, but all of the signs are already there that Bigwig will be a loyal follower who can yield authority, and can use his strength and loyalty to unite the group under the best leader for the group. Bigwig ultimately shows his leadership in following. In yielding, he is strong. Bigwig resists the seduction of power and developing a big head, and shows his resolve in the process.
When Bigwig had voiced his surprise that Fiver didn't convice The Threarah that the whole warren should have left, Hazel criticized The Threarah saying it was because he "doesn't like anything he hasn't thought of for himself." This statement is an antithesis of the leadership displayed by Hazel, and, at times, Bigwig.
Some might argue that Bigwig should be the leader. He could take control by force if he wanted too. He must be weak since he is a follower who yields the authority that should be his. This is a horrible confusion of power and forcefulness with leadership and character. If you want your leaders to be tyrants, then fine. But I'll take anyday the weakness of leadership that is content to follow when beneficial, values what others contribute, and uses strength to serve others. I'll be weak like Bigwig.
No comments:
Post a Comment