During the war, Robert had to endure many experiences he had never thought of before. His life was now filled with death and conditions not fit for living. As a soldier, Robert endured many vigorous training camp exercises to ready him for overseas action. When Robert completed his training, they sent him over to France in a boat to fight in WWI. On the cargo ship Robert had the responsibly for caring for the horses along the voyage. Robert encountered another bump in the road, when he was informed a horse had broken its leg in the stable, and it was his duties to put the horse out of its misery. He was ordered from his Sergeant to go against his morals and values to kill the injured horse. Robert struggled.
“He had the gun in both hands. He pressed it hard behind the horse’s ear and swore at the horse ‘God damn it, damn it, damn it, - stop.’ His knees were wet and he drew himself into a ball and pushed with all his strength. He began to squeeze the trigger and he squeezed it again and again and again- so many times then when Sergeant- Major pulled him away the gun went right on clicking in his hands.” (Findley 60-61)Robert had to fight against his morals and self will to put the horse out of its misery. He struggled with the task, putting him out of his comfort zone, taking him 6 shots to finally drop the horse dead. Although he struggled with the task, he obeyed his orders and fulfilled them. As Robert’s character is developing more and more, it shows that the war is starting to take its effects on Robert. Although he struggled, he actually killed a living animal; something he would have never done before joining the army. Through this incident, Findley is starting to portray the influence that the war is having on Robert by using Robert’s love of animals to show how Robert’s mentality is changing.
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