Fueling Purpose Harish Prabhakar 12th Grade

An individual’s actions and thoughts are often products of one’s nurture and experiences. These can provide a path to one’s destiny. In his novel The Wars, Timothy Findley explores the origin of Robert Ross’s incentives and investigates his actions as the protagonist strives to preserve life. An individual’s course of action is often determined by a strong motivation of finding fulfillment to their purpose. These motives behind him or her are the driving factors that are vital to their success.

In many people's early lives, individuals often experience perspective changing epiphanies and every event of their primal life counts. Robert Ross’s loss of his sister, Rowena, results in his grudgeful guilt. He blames himself because of his ignorance in taking care of his sister and “making love with the pillows” during her time of need. Rowena’s death plagues Robert’s life and decides he has to make up for it. Despite his mother’s silent protest and outcry against his decision to join the war efforts, his motivation to find relief from this guilt out powers her. Despite the luxuries he and his family live with because of their wealth, Robert pays no attention to this and ultimately decides to obey his conscience. His disillusionment...