Watership Down

Leadership Uncovered

Richard Adams' story "Watership Down" tells a tale of the strain of a small warren of rabbits and the transformation of the main character Hazel. Hazel undergoes many changes throughout this story, some good and some bad. He became the leader of the rabbits once they left their original warren. Hazel was a very smart and cunning rabbit who won the respect and trust of the other rabbits by his courage and many great deeds. He always handled problems calmly so others would also remained calm. Whenever a plan was needed, Hazel would always come up with one.

In the beginning of Watership Down, Hazel is only a common rabbit in the warren, which has a brother fearing of something terrible about to happen. When he suggests that the rabbits leave at once, the Chief Rabbit pays him no mind. So when he takes a group of rabbits out into the real world, in search for a safer place, little does he know that he is about to become one of the most courageous rabbits known. Hazel has gone through many struggles, which mark the transition from a naпve, inexperienced, "outskirter" to a respective and effective leader. When Hazel suggested they leave at once, he gathered a group of rabbits that would embark on this grand journey. These rabbits looked to Hazel for guidance and support, as they would to a chief rabbit. This marked Hazel as a leader and chief of the new warren he had created.