WAR HORSE Summary

Joey, a half-thoroughbred colt, begins the story with his happy, early days on an English farm. Soon, he is sold at an auction to a farmer with a mean disposition. Luckily, the farmer’s son Albert bonds with Joey, and they grow devoted to each other.

The beginning of World War I changes the world and Joey’s life. Albert’s father, who needs money, sells Joey to the army. Joey is transformed from a farm horse into a cavalry horse and travels with the soldiers to the battlegrounds of Europe. Joey experiences the harsh realities of war just as the soldiers do on the front line. He loses his beloved master, is captured by the Germans, lives with a French family, and is then thrust back into the war, whereupon English soldiers rescue him from a no-man’s land. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey’s courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope.

War Horses in WWI Introduction to the historical setting of the book. World War I began about one hundred years ago in 1914. Before then, horses had been a major part of warfare, carrying soldiers in cavalry charges against the enemy. However, by WWI, the use of machine guns made the use of cavalry troops unrealistic and deadly. Horses were still used for logistical support during the war because they traveled through deep mud and rough terrain better than the mechanised vehicles of the time. Joey, the horse of this novel, was one of those war horses.

War Horse

Comprehension Questions...

1. Describe the relationship between Albert and his father. Include details about how Albert felt about his father's drinking.

2. Describe Joey. What qualities made him such a fine horse?

3. How did Joey feel about Captain Nicholls? Include details of how Nicholls treated the horse.

4. Explain why the military wouldn't allow Albert to enlist. What advice did Nicholls give Albert?

5. Albert's mother kept defending her husband, telling Albert that his father was a good man. In your opinion, was Albert's father a good man? Why or why not?

1. Describe the relationship between Topthorn and Joey. Include details of how they helped one another.

2. Describe Captain Nicholls. Include information on how Nicholls felt about Joey and the war.

3. Explain why Joey was given to Trooper Warren. Why did Joey appreciate Warren?

4. Explain why Herr Hauptmann thought the British were crazy.

5. List three cause and effect statements for this section of the book.

1. Explain the warning that the vet gave to Her Major. Why did the Major ignore the vet's advice

2. What was Crazy Old Friedrich's view of the war? Why did he prefer to spend his time away from the other soldiers, instead choosing to spend time with Topthorn and Joey?

3. How did Joey react to Topthorn's death? Include details of what Joey did during the next two days.

4. Describe what happened that brought Joey to "no-man's land."

5. List at least four details from the story that indicate conditions for the German troops were deteriorating.

1. What did the Welsh and German soldier discuss as they freed Joey from the barbed wire in no-man's land?

2. Describe Albert's friend David. How did David earn a living before the war? How did David help in caring for Joey?

3. Explain why the young soldiers at the veterinary hospital called their sergeant "Sergeant Thunder." What did the sergeant's actions reveal about his character?

4. Explain why Albert panicked when it looked as though Monsieur Cirac of Cambrai was going to get Joey for twenty-seven pounds.

5. Why did Emilie's grandfather decide to turn Joey over to Albert? Do you think it was the right thing to do? Why or why not?

1. What did the Welsh and German soldier discuss as they freed Joey from the barbed wire in no-man's land?

2. Describe Albert's friend David. How did David earn a living before the war? How did David help in caring for Joey?

3. Explain why the young soldiers at the veterinary hospital called their sergeant "Sergeant Thunder." What did the sergeant's actions reveal about his character?

4. Explain why Albert panicked when it looked as though Monsieur Cirac of Cambrai was going to get Joey for twenty-seven pounds.

5. Why did Emilie's grandfather decide to turn Joey over to Albert? Do you think it was the right thing to do? Why or why not?

War Horse Reading Activities

Joey

'In the old school they use now for the Village Hall, below the clock that has stood always at one minute past ten, hangs a small dusty painting of a horse. He stands, splendid red bay with a remarkable white cross emblazoned on his forehead and with four perfectly matched white socks. He looks wistfully out of the picture, his ears pricked forward, his head turned as if he has just noticed us standing there. To many who glance up at it casually, as they might do when the hall is opened up for Parish meetings, for harvest suppers or evening socials, it is merely a tarnished old oil painting of some unknown horse by a competent but anonymous artist. To them the picture is so familiar that it commands little attention. But those who look more closely will see, written in fading black copperplate writing across the bottom of the bronze frame: Joey Painted by Captain James Nicholls, autumn 1914.

Some in the village, only a very few now and fewer as each year goes by, remember Joey as he was. His story is written so that neither he nor those who knew him, not the war they lived and died in, will be forgotten.’ (War Horse, Author’s Note, page 1)

Make a note of any significant events in Joey’s life.

Who did he meet in his story?

What work did he have to do?

How did he get back home?

Using your notes to help you, create a timeline to represent Joey’s life. Include the names of any people or horses that were important at that time and include an explanation about what events took place during his life.

Military Animals

‘Begging your pardon, sir,’ he said. ‘But I remembers you telling us when we first come here that a horse’s life is p’raps even more important than a man’s, ‘cos an horse hasn’t got no evil in him ‘cepting any that’s put there by men. I remembers you saying that our job in the veterinary corps was to work night and day, twenty-six hours a day if need be to save and help every horse that we could, that every horse was valuable in hisself and valuable to the war effort. No horse, no guns. No horse, no ammunition. No horse, no cavalry. No horse, no ambulances. No horse, no water for the troops at the front. Lifeline of the whole army, you said, sir. We must never give up, you said, ‘cos where there’s life there’s still hope. That’s all what you said, sir, begging your pardon, sir.’ (War Horse, Chapter 18, Page 151)

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, gives us a wonderful insight into the realities of the war, not just for the soldiers but also for all of the brave horses who worked tirelessly on our behalf. Horses are not the only animals that have been used to help fight wars.

Using books and the internet to help you, research other animals that have either been used in the past or are still used today to support the military. Create a factsheet about ‘Military Animals.’

Zoey

'And he walked away from me leading Zoey behind him. His head was lowered and he looked suddenly a shrunken man. It was then that I fully realised I was being abandoned and I began to neigh, a high-pitched cry of pain and anxiety that I shrieked out through the village. Even old Zoey, obedient and placid as she always was, stopped and would not be moved on no matter how hard Albert’s father pulled her. She turned, tossed up her head and shouted her farewell. But her cries became weaker and she was fi nally dragged away and out of my sight…’ (War Horse, Chapter 4, Page 32)

War Horse is written from the perspective of Joey, about his life as a military animal.

Try to imagine you are Zoey, thinking from her perspective instead of Joey’s. Her companion and friend has been taken away and she has to return alone to work on a farm where life is hard, food is rationed and the young men, including Albert are going to war.

Write a paragraph as though you are Zoey. Joey has returned with Albert from France and you are telling Joey about your own experiences of life whilst he was away

Another Point of View: The entire book was written from a horse’s point of view. Have students choose one of the human characters from the book. Then, have them create a scene reflective of the story from that character’s point of view. Share a few of the students’ stories with the class. Suggest that students read another book set from an animal’s point of view such as Call of the Wild by Jack London.

Pet Perspective: Have students write about a day in the life of their own household through the eyes of an animal (i.e. dog, cat, mouse, bird, etc.).

A New Kind of War: During World War I, many new weapons were used for the first time. Calvary horses like Joey and Tophorn were basically obsolete. Have students prepare a comparison/contrast chart between previously used weapons and fighting techniques of war to the new weapons and fighting techniques of World War I. Include examples mentioned in the book such as machine guns, tanks, and trenches with barb wire. If an extension of this activity is desired, the comparison/contrast chart can be expanded to include new weapons used in World War II. This would require student research.

In the News: Many newspaper articles are written about war. Mostly they are about particular battles or the number of casualties. Have students write a human interest story that could have appeared in the newspaper about one of the following scenes from the book:

• A horse caught in No Man’s Land
• A French farmer and his granddaughter’s life with their new “war horse”
• A horse’s return to its original master