War Horse Friendship.

Emilie.

Emilie’s love and compassion is also a vital element of the friiendship seen in the novel. Her purity and innocence are in stark contrast to the chaos of the war. She loves the horses unconditionally and forms a close bond with them,

“She was a tiny, frail creature, but led us about the farm with complete confidence, chatting all the while about what she had been doing all the day and about how brave we were and how proud she was of us.”

Like many of the friendships in the novel, the separation of the horses and Emilie is very upsetting for us as readers.

Topthorn.

During his training, Joey encounters Topthorn who is his very best friend during the war. At the start of their relationship there is a certain element of competition between them and this is seen through the attitude of their riders. However, Topthorn is a source of support and comfort for Joey,

“It was a slow baptism of fire for me, but without Topthorn I think I should never have become accustomed to the guns, for the fury and the violence of the thunder as we came nearer to the front line seemed to sap my strength as well as my spirits.”

The death of Topthorn is one of the saddest episodes of the novel because Joey has lost a very close friend in very horrific circumstances,

“I knew that once I left him I would be alone in the world again, that I would no longer have strength and support beside me.”

The friendship between Topthorn and Joey shows us how important loyalty is and how friendship can provide a positive support in our lives.

Frederick.

Reunion.

One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is that we see war from both the British and German sides. Once the horses have been taken by the Germans, they immediately strike up a friendship with Frederick. He resembles Captain Nicholls in the sense he shares his thoughts and feelings with Joey. He is a harmless man who works very hard who sums up the futility of war perfectly,

“How can one man kill another and not really know the reason why he does it, except that the other man wears a different colour uniform and speaks a different language?”

All Frederick wants to do is go home and be with his family again. Unfortunately, he dies at Topthorn’s side and Joey loses yet another friend.

The reunion between Joey and Albert is certainly one of the most uplifting aspects of the novel. Albert never forgot his friend and he joined the army as soon as he was able. He undertook the almost impossible task of finding his friend in the war. Their love and affection remained as strong as ever and they never gave up on each other. Albert’s love for his friend help Joey recover from the deadly tetanus he contracts. Albert remains by Joey’s side night and day. His patience and tender loving care nurses Joey back to health.

Captain Nicholls.

Captain Nicholls immediately sees how noble a horse Joey is. He admires him and always treats him with gentleness and kindness,

“Both his hand and his voice were kind and I did not shrink away from him.”

He sketches Joey and shares his worries and concerns with his horse. Through this friendship we see Captain Nicholls fears about the impending war.

Joey & Albert.

By far the most important friendship in the novel is that between Joey and Albert. As soon as Mr Narracott brings Joey home, Albert is moved to concern for the young foul,

“Look at him, Mother, he’s wet through to the skin. I’ll have to rub him down.”

Albert always talks gently to Joey and cares for him deeply. He shows patience and resilience when he teaches Joey how to plough in order to save him. They have a very special relationship where they both equally love each other,

“….it was a call I never refused and I would never forget.”

The separation of Joey and Albert is one of the most upsetting incidents in the novel. Albert even attempts to join the army there and then so as not to be separated from each friend. However, this incident provides the opportunity for another important friendship to develop.

Theme of Friendship.

"War Horse."

By Michael Morpurgo.