Literary Genres

Name Literary Genres Watership Down Chapters 7-12

1. Hazel is beginng to discern his heroic qualities in these chapters. In particular, he is figuring out how to be a leader. What does Hazel learn about managing Bigwig in this chapter?

2. What role does the lendri play in chapter 7? What is Bigwig’s attitude toward the lendri and what advise does he give? Why does Bigwig know what the creature is while the other rabbits do not?

3. What is the Enbourne and what problem does it present for the rabbits?

1. Why does Fiver insist that they cross the river? What kind of terrain does he suggest the rabbits find as they seek a homeland?

2. What danger does Bigwig discover after he crosses the river? How does this news affect the rabbits? 3. In this chapter, we discern some of Blackberry’s heroic qualities. How is Blackberry heroic in this chapter? What does he special ability seem to be?

1. What is special about the beanfield? Why does Hazel think it is a good place to rest?

2. What role does the crow play in the chapter? How is it defeated?

3. What are we learning about Pipkin in this chapter and the previous chapter? Do you think Hazel will eventually leave him behind? Why/why not?

1. What does Hazel say to reassure Pipkin?

2. Why do the rabbits scatter?

3. What is a hrududu? (Hint:There is a lapine glossary in the back of the book). What does Bigwig teach the rabbits about hrududil? When does a rabbit need to be most careful of them? 4. How is Hazel’s leadership tested by Hawkbit and Speedwell in this chapter? How does Bigwig help Hazel out?

5. Why does Fiver call Hazel aside? What does he show him and how does Hazel feel about this?

6. Fiver has another dream-like vision at the end of the chapter. What does he see?

Ch. 11

1. How does Bigwig assert his authority over Speedwell and Hawkbit? Why does Hazel think this was unwise from the standpoint of leadership?

2. What is the purpose of the long paragraph beginning “For the second time he made his way out of the pit…”? What is Pipkin’s role in this paragraph?

3. At the end of the chapter, has Hazel earned or lost the trust of his fellow rabbits? Explain. Ch. 12

1. What is the purpose of the analogies in the paragraph beginning “Here is a boy who was waiting to be punished…” (look up what analogies are if you need to).

2. What evidence is there that they have found a safe place?

3. What do our male rabbits (bucks) do that is normally done by females (does).

4. What are three things that Hazel finds strange about “the stranger in the field.”

5. How does Bigwig react to the presence of the stranger?

6. Explain Blackberry’s reasoning about whether to trust Cowslip. 7. By contrast, what is Fiver’s attitude toward Cowslip?

8. What decision does Hazel make at the end of the chapter?