All his life, Robert Ross grew up in a home where they did what was expected of them, rather than what was right. The type of people Findley places in Robert's life is what shapes him into the type of character he becomes. Timothy Findley manipulates what a hero is supposed to be, making Robert Ross into some kind of warped hero. Robert Ross exemplifies anti-heroism throughout the text due to his need to be a savior but his inability to do so, his morals, and his connection to animals. Robert Ross becomes the anti-hero due to his need to save others but his inability to do so. SO; Robert, himself, is unaware of the fact that all he wants is to save others because he couldn't save the only person he cared about, Rowena: "This Wasn't Stuart's fault. It was Robert's fault. Robert was his guardian and he was locked in his room. Making love to your pillows. (16) Additionally, Robert tries to save Rowena's rabbits: "I'll take care of them." […] I will take care of them. Please!!!" (18) Meanwhile, he fails again when someone else was hired to do it: "It took him thirty seconds to come out of his pain and understand why Teddy Budge was there” (20) Robert unknowingly feels the need to be a savior to the people in his life, but constantly fails in every attempt. Throughout the book, Robert blames himself for not being able to save Rowena. or his rabbits Another reason Robert enlists in the war is to unintentionally make up for the lack of lives he was unable to save in his own home. Throughout the book, Robert develops a bond with the. animals because he lacks connections with ordinary people in his life Robert's natural instinct to save, but his failure to do so, is represented by horses: "I will break ranks and save... in the middle of the. paper......with Robert throughout the book is his sister and his care and love for animals Although Robert Ross was not the normal definition of a hero, he did. evidence of heroic qualities for other reasons. Many people in The Wars will say that Robert was a hero, not an ordinary hero, but one nonetheless: “My opinion was – he was a hero. This isn't your everyday Sergeant York or Billy Bishop, mind you! But a hero nonetheless. You see, he did something that no one else would even think of doing. And to me, that’s the best possible definition of a “hero.” Even when what is being done is something you disapprove of. (12) Robert may have had many anti-hero qualities, but it was the intention behind his actions that made him a hero in the eyes of others. Works Cited Findley, Timothy. The Wars, Toronto, Canada: Oxford University, Press, 1977. Print