WATERSHIP DOWN CRITICISM ANALYSIS NOTES

CHAPTER 6 - The Story of the Blessing of El-ahrairah

Summary

Dandelion tells a creation/gift giving story. Frith, the sun-deity worshiped by the rabbits, was frustrated because Elahrairah had so many wives and such a huge family that he could not control them. Furthermore, he was defiant and unwilling to do anything about them. So Frith came up with a plan to both trick and punish El-ahrairah. He announces that all the animals are to come to him for a gift and arranges for each animal to come at a different time. El-ahrairah wastes a lot of time celebrating over getting a gift, then takes time to rest on his way to Frith. While he is resting a swift flies by and tells him that Frith has given the fox and cat ways to outsmart and kill El-ahrairah and all his family.

Frith comes looking for El-ahrairah, but the rabbit hides headfirst in a hole because he fears that Frith is going to trick him. When Frith tries to get him to come out, El-ahrairah tells Frith to "bless" his bottom end as it is sticking out of the hole. Frith feels sorry for him and gives him the gift of a shining white tail and long powerful hind legs that will enable him to escape most of his enemies. Thus even though all the world will be filled with his enemies, they will never be able to utterly destroy him.

Notes

This first little story is typical of the stories of El-ahrairah. Whenever the animals need a lift or a reminder of their own ingenuity, one of the story tellers can come up with a story of the rabbit folk hero that gives them an example to follow and encourages them to continue in their endeavors. The exploits of the hero rabbit also help to establish the "cultural" mores of the rabbits. They are expected to play tricks and to get what they need by outsmarting their enemies. At the same time, they know that other animals will play tricks on them if they can. But they also know that the rabbit god Frith likes them and is their friend even though he occasionally finds it necessary to remind them of who is in charge.

CHAPTER 7 - The Lendri and the River

Summary

Just as the story is finished the rabbits hear and smell a "lendri" or badger. They do not know if this one is dangerous or not, but taking no chances, Bigwig leads them away from the animal at a run. This brings them to the edge of a river; Five says they shall have to cross it, but that he and Pipkin are too tired to swim. Bigwig gets a little sarcastic in asking Hazel if he was expecting the river. Hazel fears that Bigwig is going to be trouble sooner or later, but he maintains peace by thanking the big Owsla rabbit for saving their lives in getting them away from the lendri. Hazel pretends that he would not have known what to do on his own.

Bigwig does not let Hazel’s praise go to his head but merely explains that badgers cannot hurt a rabbit on the run and that they are really more of a danger to young rabbits than to adults. Even though they have not yet figured a way over the river, Hazel feels lighter in spirit.

Notes

Hazel’s skill as a leader is further demonstrated. It is also significant that when Fiver says they need to cross it, Hazel begins looking for a way to do just that.

Watership Down by Richard Adams Free BookNotes Summary

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