Redwall

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1986

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 1, Introduction-Chapter 11

Book 1, Chapters 12-20

Book 2, Chapters 1-13

Book 2, Chapters 14-23

Book 3, Chapters 1-15

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Themes

The Nature of Heroism

The novel devotes much space to defining good and bad behavior, and various characters illustrate these principles. Martin and Matthias embody heroism. Every time Matthias looks at the tapestry that visually records events from the abbey’s past, his eyes focus on the small square devoted to Martin’s exploits:

Matthias pointed to the figure woven into the tapestry. It was a heroic-looking mouse with a fearless smile on his handsome face. Clad in armor, he leaned casually on an impressive sword, while behind him foxes, wildcats and vermin fled in terror. The young mouse gazed in admiration (14-15).

Matthias seems to be most fixated on Martin’s good looks and strength and the glory these attributes have gained for him. The rest of the novel teaches the young mouse the difference between looking like a hero and acting like one.

While the rest of the woodlanders are engaged in defending Redwall, Matthias goes on a series of symbolic quests to recover the tapestry and find Martin’s lost sword. Achieving his goal in each case is less important than the bonds of friendship he develops along the way. Warbeak is initially his foe. The sparrows have always been at odds with the rest of the abbey creatures. After her capture, Matthias’s kind treatment wins the bird’s trust. She, in turn, gives him assistance when he needs it most.

Similarly, Matthias befriends a large tribe of shrews. They are a combative species and looked upon as worthless vagabond gypsies by the other woodlanders. Matthias wins their cooperation and support by eliminating their two greatest enemies, Captain Snow and Asmodeus. Like the flock of sparrows, the shrews band together to help storm Redwall and take it back from Cluny. By building trust, Matthias accomplishes more for the welfare of Redwall than he could ever achieve by a solitary sword fight with Cluny. Although the duel does take place, it only represents a small fraction of the heroism demonstrated by Matthias and all his allies.

Heroes are typically seen as bigger and stronger than everyone else. Redwall subverts this assumption by making the meekest and smallest of creatures the most important. We see an army of hares, squirrels, voles, mice, shrews, and birds capable of defeating a trained army of killer rats because they work together to accomplish a common goal. Heroism is also traditionally a male domain. The novel also subverts this assumption by making the toughest fighters in the book female. The most redoubtable defender of Redwall is Constance the badger. Despite her small size, Warbeak is also a formidable opponent. The squirrel named Jess proves her daring multiple times, and even the meek little Cornflower has her moment of glory when she destroys the siege tower. Redwall suggests that heroism isn’t defined by size, strength, or gender. Its most important trait is a good heart.

The Nature of Villainy

In addition to defining the qualities of a hero, the novel devotes an equal amount of space to defining villainy. The most obvious villain in the book is Cluny. Unlike Matthias, Cluny depends on no one. He believes himself superior to everyone else and doesn’t solicit advice from his commanders. Sela, the healer, is quick to notice this trait: “The vixen watched Cluny’s eyes closing under the influence of her medicine. These warlords were all the same—they never gave credit for brains to anyone except themselves” (136).

Because Cluny has isolated himself from others, he only possesses a few methods to get what he wants. Inspiring fear is his favorite stratagem:

Ordinary peaceful creatures were usually panic-stricken at the sight of Cluny the Scourge at the head of his army. The rat was a cunning general, except the times when his mad rage took control of him, but what need of berserk fits for a bunch of silly mice? Cluny knew the value of fear as a weapon (49).

While Cluny generally tries to intimidate his foes, he also uses this same ploy to motivate his followers. Failing this, his only other option is to tempt them with wealth. He tells a prospective captain, “With some of the blockheads I’ve got around me I could be on the lookout for a new captain soon. You know what that means: extra loot, a bigger share of the plunder. Cluny always rewards initiative” (105).

Because Cluny’s followers are as morally corrupt as he is himself, the promise of more plunder creates antagonism among his band. Throughout the novel, many are willing to kill their competitors in exchange for advancement in the ranks. There is no loyalty among the rat army—only mistrust. Cluny demonstrates a similar lack of loyalty toward his fallen soldiers. He leaves many for dead when they are injured or sometimes kills them himself. His disregard for the lives of his followers will prove to be his undoing as his army abandons him.

Another villain learns the same lesson that Cluny does. King Bull Sparra is a mad tyrant, giving orders and revoking them without rhyme or reason. His erratic behavior creates a constant state of discord among his flock. Matthias notes,

The sparrows showed no kindness or civility to one another, often fighting savagely among themselves on the slightest pretext. Warriors, and even fledglings, joined in. The injuries they inflicted upon each other were appalling (205).

Such bad leadership inevitably calls for a regime change. Warbeak sees the harm that villainous rulers can cause. After the king dies while attacking Matthias, Warbeak assumes command. She helps Matthias escape and later assists him in retaking the abbey. The novel demonstrates that, unlike heroes, villains stand alone. They inevitably die alone as well.

Competition Versus Cooperation

Aside from exploring the characteristics of heroes and villains, the novel also examines how their behavior can have serious consequences for the groups they lead. Cluny is a law unto himself. He acknowledges no one as his equal, and this stance isolates him from his band. As a result, his only way to motivate his followers is by appealing to their fear or greed. He threatens them with dire punishments if they fail to please him. Should they succeed, he promises them a larger share of the loot when they win the war. These ploys are guaranteed to create a sense of competition among Cluny’s underlings. Those who wish to avoid punishment are eager to blame their mistakes on others. The rats are also jealous of other species that might be promoted ahead of them. Cluny’s authoritarian style leaves everyone uncertain about their place.

Why shouldn’t others be promoted? What was so superior about rats? Mangefur, Scumnose and Frogblood considered rats to be the elite of Cluny’s horde. Darkclaw sided with them while trying to placate the others, attempting to keep a foot in either camp, should it come to a vote. One never knew! (187).

Similarly, King Bull Sparra keeps his sparrows in constant turmoil through his contradictory demands. Both commanders foster a destructive competition among their followers that inevitably weakens the entire organization.

In contrast to the camps of Cluny and the sparrow king, Redwall is a model of cooperation. All the woodlanders get along and do their part to defend the abbey. Constance commands the gatehouse. The moles perform excavations as needed. The squirrels climb to heights no one else can reach. The hare acts as an effective decoy on more than one occasion. The abbot, Friar Hugo, and Cornflower provide food and medical attention for the wounded. Their interdependence gives them a collective strength that they could never achieve alone.

For his part, Matthias manages to draw the outliers into the community of Redwall. Though initially a foe of the sparrows, his kindness wins over Warbeak, her mother Dunwing, and the entire flock. Matthias earns Warbeak’s loyalty when he frees her: “‘Warbeak, I can no longer keep you collared. You are a free sparrow and a very good friend.’ The young sparrow blinked her fierce little eyes. ‘Matthias, my mouse friend. I no leave. Stay with you’” (192-93).

He manages a similar feat with the contentious shrews, who spend all their time fighting one another. Matthias proves so persuasive that they join him on his mission to the adder’s den. The teamwork he fosters with Log-a-Log makes it possible for Matthias to kill Asmodeus and recapture Martin’s sword. While villains might be stronger than their enemies, they cannot stand alone and hope to prevail. The cooperation and loyalty of the small creatures ultimately prevail over competition bred from fear and greed.