Difficult situations arise almost daily in the lives of most individuals. When confronted with adversity, individuals are forced to deal with the circumstances in the best way they know how. People can reach a point where they can no longer deal with the effects of adversity in their lives. It is at this point that individuals have to make a choice, either to allow themselves to be devastated, or to rise above their difficulties, and allow their true spirit to return to them. The novel The Wars, by Timothy Findley shows that in the midst of adversity, individuals are initially innocent, but the turmoil in their lives can cause them to lose their innocence, and this can cause them to have a strong need for redemption. In the struggle to deal with adversity, an individual's spirit can suffer much distress and irresolution.
             When adversity initially enters into a person's life, they are still innocent, and their spirit is still strong and willing to rise above the situation. The novel, The Wars, by Timothy Findley illustrates individual's initial innocence in the midst of adversity. The novel shows this innocence in Robert when it says, "He's old enough to go to war, he hasn't gone. He doubts the validity in all this martialling of men but the doubt is inarticulate" (P.6) Robert does not understand why there is a war and he doubts that it is necessary. He is too innocent to understand the atrocities involved in war. The novel also says, "Robert was a fine catch for any girl. He was a scholar and an athlete." (P.8) This shows that Robert has everything going for him, and he has a normal life just like any other boy his age. He is innocent of all that is not good. The first hardship that Robert is forced to face is Rowena's death. This causes him to go to war because there is nothing left for him at home. Adversity will often cause people to make changes in their lives in order to try a...