Blackavar

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Blackavar is a fictional character: a buck rabbit in Richard Adams's novel Watership Down.

Blackavar is described as being entirely black. Born of an Efrafan officer and a Nutley Copse doe, he inherited qualities from both. Yearning to be an Owsla member, he was prevented from joining due to the inherent disloyalty passed down from his mother. His rejection from the Owsla was the catalyst for his escape attempt. Like Bigwig after him he approached Hyzenthlay and her group of rebellious does. After their plea to leave the warren was denied he made a lone dash during silflay. Foiled and apprehended by Campion, Blackavar was made an example of. His ears were slashed to ribbons and he was forced to silflay alone under a special guard. He was also given a speech to recite if asked why he was being treated in such a manner.

Bigwig liberated Blackavar solely out of pity. Yet Blackavar quickly proved himself as an expert tracker and ranger whose rejection from the Owsla was unwarranted at best. Hazel came to trust and rely upon him just as much as any of the Sandleford escapees. Yet Blackavar retained many traits from his life in Efrafa. Unable to ignore direct orders, he was the first to obey Hazel and jump off the boat. After he advises that they keep moving to stay away from foxes he is ignored and a doe is subsequently eaten. Bigwig, who scoffed at his recommendation earlier, apologizes. Yet Blackavar has forgotten he said anything. In Efrafa, if a rabbit gave advice that wasn't accepted he immediately forgot it and so did everyone else. No one could convince him that he was right or that he had suggested anything contrary to the executed plan. In General Woundwort's warren, this was equivalent to insubordination.

In the book, Blackavar survives the climactic battle with the Efrafans, but in the feature film adaptation he is shown being killed by Woundwort himself.

Richard Adams' Watership DownEdit
Novels: Watership Down - Tales from Watership Down
Adaptations: Feature film - TV series
Characters: Bigwig - Blackavar - Blackberry - Campion - Cowslip - Dandelion - Fiver - General Woundwort - Hazel - Hyzenthlay - Kehaar - Vervain - Minor characters
Mythical/story creatures: El-ahrairah
Locations: Efrafa - River Enborne - Railway line - Redstone - River Test - Watership Down
Other: Chief Rabbit - Concepts in Watership Down - Lapine - Owsla