Hulcoop refers to The Wars, as a very intimate book where Findley addresses the reader directly and making it seem as though the reader plays the role equivalent to the narrator. The book compels the reader’s attention to the aspect of the narrator. Through the use of this technique, Findley uses great imagery throughout the book to get the aspect of the reader being able to be in the narrator’s perspective. There is a great deal of imagery in this book of fiery images as well as the four elements, water, earth, fire, and air. Hulcoop refers Findley’s imagery to an “imaginary photograph” which really goes to show the great deal of imagery throughout the novel. There are many references to photographs talking about the many events that occurred and how the reader can portray the images through photographs. Photographs of Robert in the army, ones of war, the battle of Ypres, death, ones of Robert and Rowena, etc. The novel is portrayed through photographs meaning the imagery is so intense in the book; it seems like the reader in looking at photographs.
Many themes are associated with this novel and of war in general in this storyline such as abandonment, the elements, and death. The aspect of fire comes up again in all of these themes in different ways, but it seems “fire” is the whole of what all the themes revolve around. Hulcoop goes on about the use of Findley’s imagination in all his pieces of writing and how it enhances the presence of the narrator in this piece. He contrasts his perspective of this novel through the narrator, allowing him to do so by his technique of imagination as if the reader is actually in the narrator’s position, seeing the plot in their own eyes. This technique allows Findley to have a relationship with the reader through the narrator, telling of the plot.
Although Findley does an amazing job of the telling of The Wars, many historians critique Findley for disguising his fiction stories as actual historical documents. Findley did use specific examples of WWI in this novel, but he portrays this storyline as an actual account of a person telling of their story in the war. There are many critical reviews of the such as above, but it is arguable that Findley does show that his novels are fiction through the narrator and the point of view the book has established. There are many mixed feelings about the historical aspect of The Wars, but Findley pushed his style of writing to the limit with this book. The way he draws the attention of the reader to the events of the book through the use of the narrator is astounding while still achieving the intensity of moods, emotions and the mind. Hulcoop’s main message of this archive is that despite all the criticism of early fiction in society, styles of writing like those of Timothy Findley should not be forgotten and should be paid more attention to because these classic styles would not resemble modern literature as we see it today.
John F. Hulcoop, "'LOOK! LISTEN! MARK MY WORDS!': Paying Attention to Timothy Findley's Fictions," in Canadian Literature, No. 91, Winter, 1981, pp. 22-47. Reproduced by permission
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