Collaborative Problem Solving

What are the positives and negatives to solving a problem collaboratively?

Searching for a New Home

Most of the action in Watership Down centers around the rabbits' search for a new home. Compare this story to another great journey like DePrau's Ember or Sparks.

***What motivates one to better his or her way of life, even if it means enduring hardships and making sacrifices?

Your Parting Gift

A reviewer in Newsweek stated, "I cannot imagine that any sensible reader could come away from this novel unaffected and unchanged." What did you take away from reading Watership Down?

Riding in a Hrududu

After all of his cleverness and bravery, Hazel is saved by a human and driven back to Watership Down in a hrududu, two of the things rabbits fear most. What do you think of this?

Rabbit Tales

There are five legends recounted by the rabbits in the novel. How do these tales reflect actual events taking place in the story? Why is storytelling such an important part of the rabbits' life?

Rabbit Heroes

When reviewing the book, a critic in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution stated, "You'll not recall nobler heroes than the rabbits seeking happiness on Watership Down." Do you agree with this statement? What makes the rabbits heroes?

General Woundworts Motiviation

Regarding the does-it's possible to imagine that Woundwort was defending his territory. However, the second battle General Woundwort wages is a premeditated attack on Watership Down with the intent to kill the rabbits or force them to return to Efrafa.

After rejecting Hazel's proposal of peace, Woundwort says, "We are going to destroy you" (p. 427). What is General Woundwort's motivation for this attack on Watership Down? How would you characterize General Woundwort?

Overcoming Challenges

Describe one of the challenges/setbacks the rabbits experience on their journey. How they overcome it?

**What obstacles can stand in the way of reaching your personal goals?

Beyond Natural Instincts

When referring to the need for the rabbits, who are all bucks, to dig burrows at Watership Down, Blackberry says, "There's nothing to stop us having them, except that buck rabbits won't dig. Not can't-won't.... I'm quite sure, myself, that if we don't change our natural ways we shan't be able to stay here much longer. Somewhere else perhaps; but not here" (p. 145). In what other instances do the rabbits expand beyond their natural instincts and behaviors to overcome a challenging or unfamiliar situation?

Fiver's Role

A vision in which Fiver foresees the destruction of the Sandleford warren is the motivation that propels the rabbits to go in search of a new home. What role does Fiver-and in particular his visions-play throughout the journey? What does the bird Kehaar, who travels great distances to and from the ocean, mean when he says that "Fiver was one who had traveled a good deal further than he had himself" (p. 263)?

Birds of a Feather

Hazel makes friends with the bird, Kehaar, and with the field mouse despite the objections and skepticism of the other rabbits. Both of the animals, in particular Kehaar, later play an integral part in helping the rabbits preserve Watership Down as their home. What is Richard Adams' message here? Would the outcome for the rabbits have been different if Hazel had not befriended these animals?

Fiver's Fear

When Silverweed, a rabbit in Cowslip's warren, recites a poem, Fiver's reaction is one of terror. "Fiver, as he listened, had shown a mixture of intense absorption and incredulous horror. At one and the same time he seemed to accept every word and yet to be stricken with fear" (p. 116). Why is Fiver afraid of Silverweed? What meaning did he construe from the poem that caused this reaction?

Sacrifice Freedom

The rabbits in Cowslip's warren are willing to sacrifice their freedom and risk death in exchange for a warm, dry place to live and a constant supply of food. Cowslip tells Buckthorn that rabbits need "the will to accept their fate" (p. 114). Why do Hazel and his group of rabbits refuse to accept this way of life? Why does Cowslip later instigate an attack on Captain Holly and Bluebell and kill their companion?

Idyllic Warren?

When the rabbits happen upon Cowslip's warren, everything seems perfect-plenty of good food to eat, no dangerous animals to evade. Fiver is the only one who is afraid and senses something terrible about the place and its inhabitants. Why are the others, including Hazel, so quick to believe that it is truly as idyllic as it seems?

Hazel as Leader

In the Sandleford warren, much emphasis was placed on hierarchy. The stronger rabbits were generally the ones in positions of power such as the Owsla. However, despite the fact that he is not the strongest rabbit in his group, Hazel becomes the Chief Rabbit. How does this come about? What leadership qualities does Hazel exhibit?

Hazel's View of Bigwig

When they first leave the Sandleford warren, Hazel has misgivings about Bigwig. "'Wherever we're settled in the end,' thought Hazel, 'I'm determined to see that Pipkin and Fiver aren't sat on and cuffed around until they're ready to run any risk just to get away. But is Bigwig going to see it like that?'" (p. 34). Why does Hazel change his mind concerning Bigwig and come to view him as a trusted friend? Could the rabbits have successfully made the journey without Bigwig?

Cowslip's Warren

Why do the rabbits in Cowslip’s warren resist the knowledge of what will happen to them? Why couldn’t they change if they faced up to it? Or could they? Support your answer with details form the book. (10)

Bunny Tracker

Which character undergoes the most change in the course of the journey? Support your answer with details from the book. (10)

Rabbits Similar to Humans

"Rabbits are like human beings in many ways. One of these is certainly their staunch ability to withstand disaster and to let the stream of their life carry them along, past reaches of terror and loss" (p. 73).

• In what other ways does the book illustrate how rabbits are similar to humans?
• What was your perception of and knowledge about rabbits and their behavior prior to reading Watership Down?
• Has your view changed in any way since reading this story?