Watership Down Lesson Plan

What is notable about the “shape”? What doesn't Hazel understand about it, and why?

From Hazel's confused reaction to the shape, we learn that it is not “normal” for rabbits to have representative art (as in, a picture or form that represents a person, object, place, et cetera). Discuss the implications of this – what does it say about the culture of Cowslip's warren and how it may differ from Sandleford's culture? Has the lack of predators allowed for a different cultural development? Is it a coincidence? How do the rabbits of Cowslip's warren feel about the shape? They seem to be both proud of it and dismissive of its subject matter. Cowslip's warren does not value...