A soldier's duty is to protect his country, and his job is never done. A horse's job is to protect his master, and his job is never done either. Throughout War Horse, Joey gets tasked with a variety of different jobs, from farming, to cavalry, to pulling heavy machinery. He never questions his orders, and he devotes 100% of his spirit and energy to getting things done right. You might be thinking, "Um, he's a horse," but that's exactly our point. His motivations might be different, but he has the same obligations in war as the human soldiers fighting alongside him.
Questions About Duty
- What are Joey's duties on the farm and at war? How are they similar? How are they different?
- If Joey could speak, what do you think he would have to say about his various duties? Would he ever complain?
- Do Joey's duties differ from those of other soldiers?