full title Watership Down
author Richard Adams
type of work Novel
genre Fantasy; allegory
language English
time and place written Early 1970s; England
date of first publication 1972
publisher Rex Collings, Ltd.
narrator Omniscient narrator
point of view Primarily Hazel's point of view, but shifts among several of the major characters
tone Sorrowfully optimistic, always suggesting that something can be done about the world's evils
tense Immediate past
setting (time) The events of the novel take place from May to October in no specific year, but likely around the time the novel was written; the epilogue takes place several years later
setting (place) Between Berkshire and Hampshire, England
protagonist Hazel
antagonist Woundwort
climax The battle between Bigwig and Woundwort
falling action The dog chases away the Efrafan rabbits
themes Home; leadership; nature
motifs Adapting; trickery; humanity
symbols The rabbit warren
foreshadowing At the beginning of each chapter Adams quotes a passage from a famous text that vaguely indicates what will happen in the chapter
