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Rishi Garg

Mr. Fox

Lit & Comp 10, 1st Period

25 October, 2007

An Analysis of Minor Characters and their Roles in Watership Down

Each character in Watership Down, whether major or minor, has a vital

and significant role in the plot and general society of the book. The major

characters, such as Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver, and General Woundwort, can easily

prove this speculation. However, it would be of more interest to substantiate

this claim by using characters with minor roles in the book. For the purpose

of validating this theory, the roles of Blackberry, Dandelion, Pipkin, Holly, and

Kehaar will be studied.

By reading the book, one can easily come to the conclusion that

Blackberry is by far the most intelligent character. His cleverness helps the

group of rabbits negotiate most of the trials along their journey. Hazel, who is

considered the Chief Rabbit of the group, depends on Blackberry to conceive

any plans or ideas the group might need. Furthermore, his friendliness and

good nature make him an excellent friend to all the rabbits. Without

Blackberry, one might guess that the group would have failed at the first

trial.

This characterization of Blackberry can be found in many sections of

the book. Firstly, in chapter eight, when the group runs into the stream,

almost everyone in the group believes that there is no practical way to cross
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it. However, Blackberry finds a flat piece of wood, and forces Fiver and Pipkin

to float across the stream on it. “It must have floated down the river. So it

floats. We could put Fiver and Pipkin on it and make it float again,” (Adams

37) Blackberry said, while speaking about the piece of wood. This is the first

indication that Blackberry is a clever rabbit, and has the brainpower

necessary in order to help him and the group survive their journey. Later, in

chapter ten, when the group comes across the manmade road, almost

everyone believes that automobiles are not harmful. “You say that they’re

not dangerous, Bigwig, but I think they must be, for all that,” (Adams 49)

said Blackberry, while pointing toward a run-over hedgehog. This is yet

another sign confirming Blackberry’s shrewd intuitiveness. Finally, in chapter

28, Hazel speaks to Blackberry about the much-needed plan to infiltrate

Efrafa and secure some does for the new warren. “…this trick, Blackberry, is

going to be devised by you,” (Adams 250) he says. This further substantiates

the theory that Blackberry is the group’s unofficial “plan-maker,” and that

Hazel relies on him. All of this evidence inexorably points to the fact that

without Blackberry, the group of rabbits would not have been able to

complete their journey.

By further analyzing the book, one can assert that Dandelion is the

motivator of the group. He tells stories of El-ahrairah, which appear to sooth

and give courage to the rabbits. Whenever the group is exhausted or scared,

Dandelion is ready to tell a story. These stories seem to help the younger
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rabbits, Fiver and Pipkin, the most. Without Dandelion, the group might have

given up before they reached the end of the journey.

The first story Dandelion tells is called “The Story of the Blessing of El-

ahrairah”, in which El-ahrairah was cursed with a thousand enemies and

blessed with speed and cleverness. Here is an excerpt from the story:

And Frith called after him, ‘El-ahrairah, your people cannot rule

the world, for I will not have it so. All the world will be your

enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they

catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you,

digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning

and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.’

(Adams 29)

One will agree that the excerpt above is indeed part of a motivating story.

Dandelion tells the story after a hard day of walking, which was a time when

the rabbits were in dire need of an inspiring story to keep them enthusiastic

about the next day’s walk.

Later in the book, Dandelion tells other stories about El-ahrairah. In

part one, he tells “The Story of the King’s Lettuce”, in which El-ahrairah

manages to steal King Darzin’s prized lettuce. In part two, he tells “The Story

of the Trial of El-ahrairah”, which is about the time when Prince Rainbow, the

ruler of Earth, tried to put El-ahrairah back in his place. In the end, Prince

Rainbow’s plan failed completely, and El-ahrairah was acquitted of all crimes
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the Prince had tried to blame on him. In part three, Dandelion tells “The

Story of El-ahrairah and the Black Rabbit of Inlé”, in which El-ahrairah’s

warren is attacked by soldiers. Out of desperation, he goes to seek help from

the Black Rabbit, who is a very powerful being. After many trials, the Black

Rabbit finally saved his warren from destruction. In part four, Dandelion tells

“The Story of Rowsby Woof and the Fairy Wogdog”, in which El-ahrairah tricks

a dog. All of these stories involve El-ahrairah using his skill and ingenuity to

overcome an obstacle. The stories give courage and inspiration to the group

of rabbits. Therefore, without Dandelion, the group might have become

saddened by their plight and given up before the journey was complete.

Pipkin is easily the smallest of the rabbits. He is vital to the group

because of his friendship and willingness to cooperate. Also, he is very

young, so he is almost like a child for the group; someone to continue the

journey for.

In chapter 31, Dandelion is telling “The Story of the Black Rabbit of

Inlé”. It is a very scary and depressing story, and naturally, Pipkin becomes

frightened.

“Hazel,” said Pipkin, staring into the dusk and trembling, “I

don’t like this story. I know I’m not brave–”

“It’s all right, Hlao-roo,” said Fiver, “you’re not the only

one.” (Adams 272)

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The above excerpt is an example of a time when an older rabbit comforts

Pipkin. Fiver, who later escorts Pipkin outside and away from the story, feels

as if he has a responsibility, and that he is needed in the group. He also feels

that the group must complete their journey to build a new warren, or else

Pipkin’s short life will be a sorrowful waste. Therefore, Pipkin’s helplessness

and childish personality cause the rabbits to continue their journey out of

moral obligation.

Holly’s role in the group does not appear until chapter 21, in which he

tells the story of how the Sandleford warren was destroyed by men. The

story confirms that Fiver’s prediction was correct, and that their decision to

leave the warren was not in vain. His gruesome story proves that Fiver is a

credible source, and that the group should take his foresights into

consideration. Without Holly, the group might have decided to go back to the

Sandleford warren, where they would have been killed, or they might have

not used Fiver’s predictions wisely.

Kehaar is one of the few characters in the book who is not a rabbit. He

is a bird from the ocean coast. He is found injured in a hole, and is helped by

the group of rabbits. He quickly becomes Bigwig’s friend, and offers his help

to the rabbits. Hazel realizes the potential of Kehaar’s help and asks him to

assist the group in collecting does. “Now soon you go for get mudders, I ‘elp

you, ‘ow you like,” (Adams 257) says Kehaar in chapter 29. He helps them by

telling the group about Efrafa, and keeping watch for Efrafan patrols. Without
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Kehaar, it may be said that the group would have spent quite a long time

looking for does, or would have been captured by an Efrafan patrol.

In conclusion, as can be recognized by all of the above evidence,

Blackberry, Dandelion, Pipkin, Holly, and Kehaar play incredibly vital and

fundamental roles in the plot of Watership Down. This analysis can be

extended to include all of the minor characters of the book. Therefore, as

was stated in the introduction, every character of Watership Down has a

crucial and necessary function in the plot of the book.

Works Cited

Adams, Richard. Watership Down. Rex Collings Ltd., 1972.