Elephant Company: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero and the Animals Who Helped Him Save Lives in World War II

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of animal cruelty and animal death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Elephant Company presents the complex relationship between humans and wild animals through Williams’s deep bond with elephants, particularly Bandoola. How did this portrait of interspecies connection affect you, and did it change your perspective on animal intelligence?

2. The book juxtaposes Williams’s deep respect for elephants with the backdrop of British colonialism in Burma. How effectively did the author balance these contrasting elements, and which aspect of the narrative resonated with you most strongly?

3. How did you respond to Williams’s claim that he “learned more about life from elephants than I ever did from human beings” (xii)? This idea of learning from animals rather than humans has been explored by other writers, like Farley Mowat in Never Cry Wolf and Helen MacDonald in H Is for Hawk. How do these or other approaches to understanding animals compare?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Williams describes learning important life lessons from the elephants, including “courage, loyalty, the ability to trust […] fairness, patience, diligence, kindness, and humor” (xii). Which of these qualities do you find most valuable in your own life, and have you ever learned similar lessons from animals?

2. Williams witnesses the cruel practice of “kheddaring,” which he calls “the very essence of brutality” (67), though it was standard practice at the time. Can you recall a moment when you recognized that something socially acceptable was fundamentally wrong? How did you respond?

3. Williams found his true calling working with elephants in the Burmese jungle, despite the physical hardships and dangers. Have you ever felt a similar pull toward an unconventional path that others might not understand? What guided your decision?

4. Williams came of age during his experience in Burma, concluding, “I date this as the end of my being a young man” after marrying Susan (173). Looking back on your own life, can you identify a pivotal experience that marked a similar transition?

5. Po Toke’s apparent decision to kill Bandoola rather than let anyone else handle him reflects a distorted form of loyalty. Have you encountered situations where devotion became destructive? How do you distinguish between healthy and unhealthy forms of attachment?

6. Williams navigates the tension between his loyalty to Britain and his respect for the Burmese people and culture. Have you experienced similar conflicts between your cultural identity and your appreciation for another way of life?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Elephant Company unfolds against the backdrop of British colonialism in Burma. How does the book portray the power dynamics between the British administrators and Indigenous Burmese people? What insights does this give us into the nature of colonialism and its legacy?

2. During WWII, Williams’s Elephant Company became crucial to the Allied war effort, with elephants building bridges and helping refugees escape. How does this uncommon aspect of wartime history enhance our understanding of how wars are fought and won beyond traditional military narratives? How does it compare to the use of other animals, such as dogs, birds, and horses, in 20th century warfare?

3. The book depicts the gradual decline of the British Empire following WWII, with Williams realizing “the world he loved was not just disappearing; it was already gone” (282). What parallels might we draw between this imperial decline and current geopolitical shifts or institutional changes?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The book begins with Bandoola carrying a fever-stricken Williams across a dangerous river before circling back to this scene later. How does this narrative structure enhance the storytelling, and what might it symbolize about Williams’s relationship with elephants?

2. Throughout the book, elephants are portrayed with distinct personalities and emotional intelligence. How does the author balance anthropomorphism with scientific understanding of elephant behavior? Is this approach effective for telling Williams’s story?

3. The author uses contrasting imagery throughout—formal English dinners juxtaposed with wild jungle surroundings, or Williams’s devotion to elephants versus colonial attitudes toward Indigenous people. How do these contrasts contribute to the book’s themes?

4. Bandoola is named after “a courageous Burmese military hero who had fought the British in the 1820s” (71). How does this naming foreshadow developments in the narrative and contribute to the book’s exploration of colonialism and freedom?

5. The “elephant stairway” episode represents the climax of the narrative. How does this remarkable feat encapsulate the book’s major themes about human-animal cooperation, trust, and courage?

6. The author frames Williams’s journey using spiritual language, suggesting his experience with elephants represented a form of rebirth and even a religion. How does this spiritual framing affect our understanding of Williams’s relationship with the elephants?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. What might a diary entry from Po Toke’s perspective reveal about his relationship with Bandoola and his evolving views of Williams throughout their years working together?

2. The tusk Williams carried for the rest of his life represented his extraordinary bond with Bandoola. What object symbolizes your most meaningful relationship, and what story does it tell?

3. The author notes that plans to make a film about Williams’s life never materialized. Which actors would best portray the key figures in Elephant Company, and what tagline would capture the essence of this remarkable story?

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