Context – War Horse was written by Michael Morpurgo and was first published in 1982.

Chapter-by-Chapter Summary – Alongside key quotations.

Michael Morpurgo – Michael Morpurgo is an World War I – World War I, also known as the The story opens with the narrator (a horse) revealing how he was taken
from his mother to live with Albert’s family at 6 months. An immediate “I remember well enough the
author, poet and playwright who is predominantly ‘Great War’, was a global war originating in day of the horse sale. The
known for his children’s novels such as War Horse Europe that took place from July 1914 to Chapters 1-2 bond was formed with Albert, who names the horse Joey. Albert’s terror of it stayed with me my
(1982) and Private Peaceful (2003). His skill in November 1918. It involved all of the world’s drunkard father says that Albert must train Joey or he will shoot or sell whole life.”
‘magical story-telling’ and vivid description has often been major powers, opposing the Allies (including Russia, France, him. Albert trains Joey to plough. Joey overhears talk of war.
commended, most notably his depictions of World War I UK, and USA) against the Alliance (Germany, Austro- Albert and Joey continue to bond, as they ride around the country "You’re too young and
conditions and the Cornish coastline. Morpurgo served as the Hungary, the Ottoman Empire) Over 9 millions armed forces together. Albert’s mother tries to convince Albert that his dad isn’t so you know it.
Children’s Laureate, from 2003-2005. Morpurgo revealed to and 7 million civilians were killed in the war. Many more Seventeen’s the
Chapters 3-4 bad. However, Albert’s dad sells Joey to Captain Nicholls – a soldier in youngest we take.
The Guardian in 2014 that his fireside conversations with returned injured. The winter of 1916-17 was so cold that many town – for 40 pounds. Albert tries to stop the sale, and then to follow Come back in a year
World War I veterans in Devon influenced War Horse. lost fingers & toes to frostbite - trenches offered no protection. Joey into war. Nicholls tells him he can when he is old enough. or two.”
Trench Warfare – The use of trench warfare Horses in World War I - Horses were of Joey is ridden by Corporal Samuel Perkins, who does not look after him "I never saw Captain Nicholls
significantly influenced the high death toll. huge military value in World War I by 1917, well, until Captain Nicholls tells him how important horses are to the again, and that was a great
Both sides dug deep defensive lines in the soil Britain alone had over a million horses in Chapters 5-6 military. Before departing for the front line, Nicholls rides Joey. Here, Joey and terrible sadness for me...As
called trenches. Attacks involved going across No Man’s Land active service. They were utilised for a number meets a black stallion named Topthorn. In their first battle, Joey is left I was to learn, there were few
(in the middle) where attackers were open to machine gun of purposes, including as cavalry, logistical support, increasing rider-less as Nicholls is killed leading the charge. He dies a hero. such good men in the world."
fire, mines, and shells. Even if successful, casualties were huge morale, pulling artillery, and aiding the transportation of the Joey gets a new rider, Warren, who is not a great rider, but whom Joey “The
– No Man’s Land was littered with bodies. Life in the trenches injured. They were so important that by 1917, many troops decides is a nice man (as Warren reads letters from home). They charge bedlam of
were awful, with disease and exposure rife. Men would often were told that the loss of a horse was of greater tactical Chapters 7-8 into battle together, however the British forces are heavily defeated, and battle had
spend weeks at a time on the front line, where they would concern than the loss of a solider. Hundreds of thousands of Warren is taken as a prisoner of war. Topthorn and Joey are taken as begun.”
need to sleep, eat, and defecate close to the trenches. horses were killed in the war, with many more injured. POWs too, and Warren must say goodbye to Joey.
A German officer: Herr Hauptmann, sees that the horses are looked- “We became a familiar
after. Joey and Topthorn work retrieving wounded soldiers from the sight…More than once we were
Chapters 9-10
Main Characters – Consider what Morpurgo intended through his characterisation of each of the below… battlefields. They are treated as heroes and are given an iron cross. They cheered by marching soldiers
as they passed us.”
are looked after by a girl named Emilie and her granddad.
Joey – Joey is the anthropomorphic narrator of War Horse. Albert Narracott – Albert is the gentle young son of a Joey and Topthorn spend some time with Emilie before some new “Each night
Joey is a beautiful red bay with a white star on his head and farmer, who bonds extremely deeply with Joey. He is very soliders show up, and they are whisked off to war again. They are given we spent in
four equal-length white socks. He is purchased when still hard-working, and puts a great deal of hours into training Chapters 11-12 the lines up to
a new job, trudging a giant gun through the mud. Two horses that they our hocks in
young by a farmer, and forms an incredibly close bond, with Joey. He is often seen to put the needs of Joey above his own. work with (Coco and Heinie) die and even strong Topthorn becomes ill. freezing mud.”
the farmer’s son, Albert. Joey is a quick learner, and is When Joey is sold, he is still too young to join the army, but is “Why does this
courageous, resilient, and loyal. He never stops believing in a determined to do so when he old enough, so that he can Spring is a slightly happier time, and Joey and Topthorn are put into the
war have to
reunion with Albert, and is overjoyed when it happens. bring Joey home safely. He returns to his village a hero. care of an officer named Friedrich, who takes good care of them. In the
Chapters 13-14 destroy anything
Quote: “His whistle imitated the stuttering of an owl- it was a call I Quote: “Joey is my horse. He’s my horse and he always will be, no Autumn, Topthorn dies. Joey refuses to leave his side, even as shelling and everything
never refused, and would never forget.” matter who buys him.” begins. Friedrich dies in the shelling, leaving Joey alone. that’s beautiful?”
Mother – Albert’s mother is a kind and quietly strong soul, Father – Father is a bully of a man, who shows little Joey is scared away by a tank. After running for some time, he finds “In an hour…we will be trying
who forms the core of her family. She is restricted by the social empathy, respect, or compassion towards anyone else. He is himself dazed and injured in no man’s land. Two soldiers approach (one our best again each
Chapters 15-16 other to kill…God
norms of the time, which restrict her from overriding her very competitive, and this is what initially leads him towards from either side) with white flags. They have a remarkable conversation
husband. She is very loving, caring, and protective of Albert. buying Joey. He softens slightly after selling Joey to the army. about war. They toss a coin, and the British soldier gets to take Joey. only knows why.”
Quote: “Don’t speak like that about your father, Albert. He’s been Quote: “Forty pounds, you’ll pay me, Captain Nicholls, like you Joey is treated at the veterinary hospital. There he is entrusted into the “I want a twenty-four hour
through a lot.” promised yesterday?” care of a boy named David, and his friend Albert. As Joey is washed, watch on this horse – that
Topthorn – Topthorn is a beautiful and grand black horse, Captain Nicholls – Captain Nicholls purchases Joey from Chapters 17-18 means a man posted in here
Albert recognises his white cross. Joey is diagnosed with tetanus, and
who rides alongside Joey in the army. His bravery is shown in Albert’s father. He is the strong leader of a mounted euthanasia is recommended, however Albert nurses him back to health. all day and every day.”
his efforts at the front of the cavalry – he almost dies at one regiment, who loves and protects Joey – he makes sure that Battles continue, and Albert’s friend David dies. Finally, war stops, but “I’m afraid a decision
point due to illness, but shows the resilience and the tenacity he receives extra rations and the best treatment. Although he instead of returning home, the horses are to be sold to the French. Just as has been taken to sell
to fight his way back. He becomes Joey’s best friend in the is strong and courageous, he confides in Joey about the futility Chapters 19-20 of many of the army’s
it looks as though Joey will be sold to a butcher, Emilie’s grandpa stands
war, but tragically does not make it back home. of war and his fear of battles to come. He dies a hero. and outbids everyone. The hammer falls, and Joey is sold. horses here in France.”
Quote: “If it is possible to be happy in the middle of a nightmare, Quote: “He rode me…with a gentle hand and a firm grip of the Albert is introduced to Emilie’s grandpa as the boy who came to France “Both of us were received like
then Topthorn and I were happy that summer.” knees…there was always some warm word of encouragement.” to find Joey. Her grandpa speaks of how she lost the will to live after Joey conquering heroes, but we
Chapters 21 both knew that the real heroes
was taken, and quickly faded to death. He sells the horse to Joey for a
penny, making him promise to love him as Emilie did. They return home. had not come home.”

Themes – A theme is an idea or message that runs throughout a text. Morpurgo’s Language Devices The Writer’s Influences
Relationships – From the very outset of the novel, the deep and lasting bond between a horse and his rider is ‘He did not turn out to be the monster I expected.’ "I thought through the horse's eyes we could see the
explored. From the moment that Albert and Joey meet, they are connected on an emotional level, finding ways Metaphors conflict from all sides, and tell the tale of the
‘The air was electric with anticipation.’ universal suffering in that war…”
to communicate with one another and demonstrate their love. Both prove willing to make the ultimate "I thought: people have written about this war
sacrifices to safeguard the other, and demonstrate unparalleled commitment to preserving their relationship. ‘"Rode me heavy in the saddle like a sack of almost always from one side or the other - British,
Simile
The bond between humans and equine characters is also alluded to as Joey describes the artillery horses and soldiers. potatoes.” German, French, American or Canadian. I wanted
to tell the tale from no side - from the point of view
The Futility of War– At the beginning of the novel, the futility of war is discussed in an abstract sense, with the farming Comparative “It was sweeter than the sweetest bran-mash I
of a horse who leaves the farm in that Devon
community discussing news from the front lines, such as the deaths of numerous young men. Whilst in war, Joey also expresses Adjectives had ever tasted” village, is sold, trained as a cavalry horse by the
his admiration for the soldiers on both sides of the war, who he believes are similar and do not really understand why they are “…a gradual crescendo of excitement and British, is soon captured by Germans, is used by them to pull
fighting. This is reinforced when both sides work together effectively to free Joey from ‘No Man’s Land’, and then resume Sound Imagery ammunition cars, ambulances, guns, and who spends the winter on a
laughter…interspersed with barked orders” French farm.” In The Guardian: 25th July, 2014.
fighting – they are not true enemies, but fight because of their situation.