The third chapter began to examine the contrasts between the American and British armies. The British Redcoats were very much prepared and experienced, not at all like the American army, and were being ordered by General William Howe, But dissimilar to in the American army were a solder could just climb in the positions taking into account their abilities on the war zone, British soldiers could pay to climb to higher ranks. A major misstep of the British army was that they disparaged the American soldiers so they thought it would be a simple win. Indeed, even their own particular general did not take the war as serious as he ought to have, investing more energy and time in relaxation exercises, for example, watching plays as opposed to conceiving
In conclusion, Robert Middlekauff has proven his argument for why men in the American Revolution fought. He believed that soldier’s beliefs were portrayed through their fighting. He claims that the soldiers used their relationships with their comrades to help them through the fighting and to endure the violence. Middlekauff also points out their responsibility of the soldiers to protect their families as well as their country. He makes an argument to show that soldiers fought because of strong feelings of responsibility and independence. He discredits theories that mock the important values of the American soldiers such as
Generals Die in Bed certainly demonstrates that war is futile and the soldiers suffer both emotionally and physically. Charles Yale Harrison presents a distressing account of the soldiers fighting in the Western front, constantly suffering and eventually abandoning hope for an end to the horrors that they experience daily. The ‘boys’ who went to war became ‘sunk in misery’. We view the war from the perspective of a young soldier who remains nameless. The narrator’s experience displays the futility and horror of war and the despair the soldiers suffered. There is no glory in
“Which in the field developed into the finest thing that arose out of the war - comradeship,” (Remarque 27). Throughout the war, soldiers depend on each other to be able to live another day. Through small acts of kindness, sorrow from loss, and never leaving one behind emerges the theme of comradeship, which is clearly represented in the novel, All Quiet On The Western Front.”
Chapter 2 sums up the war in a different fashion, showing the contrast between the uselessness of past knowledge and the “raw and emotional skills necessary” in the trenches (20). The duties imposed on the camp by Corporal Himmelstoss symbolize the hours of work and duties done before enlistment that mean nothing during the war. Being “put through every conceivable refinement of parade ground soldiering” shows how schoolbook tasks were diligently performed only for fear of how society would perceive the boys if they were to do otherwise (26). Himmelstoss himself is the embodiment of previous responsibilities that only make the men “howl with rage” at present (26). The death of Kemmerich goes hand in hand with the death of innocence, Kemmerich’s shiny boots being the small glimpse of hope that keeps the men going. Baumer receives saveloy, hot tea, and rum from Muller for salvaging the boots. In return for giving Muller a sense of hope, Baumer receives a more needed sense of comfort and satisfaction. His hunger, one “greater than comes from the belly alone” (33), is thus satisfied. Chapter 7 directly reinforces this transition from an old life into a new one. Baumer “feels an attraction” to the
The topic of war is hard to imagine from the perspective of one who hasn't experienced it. Literature makes it accessible for the reader to explore the themes of war. Owen and Remarque both dipcik what war was like for one who has never gone through it. Men in both All Quiet on the Western Front and “Dulce Et Decorum” experience betrayal of youth, horrors of war and feelings of camaraderie.
One thing in the story that shocked me is how different our perception of the Revolutionary War is from the reality. An example of this was how ill trained the American army was at the beginning of the war. The army was undisciplined, disobedient, and motivated only by their paychecks. Many perceive the soldiers as valiant, zealous men, but it wasn’t until much later in the war that the soldiers rose to the occasion and became the warriors that we remember today.
This quote in the first chapter of the book sets the overall tone. The author Tim O’Brien uses his language through out the book in an extremely straightforward manner. He does not sugar coat the way going to war and being in a war is. He does not use stories of heroes,
(Impossibility) (TR) Let us say that the vastly outnumbered Americans defeated their foes, (RQ) why would the British infantry march out in the open? (GT) It is quite impossible that a general would risk the lives of his militia by bringing them out into the open. (RQ) If a grand, highly decorated general of war was known for demolishing large French armies with ease, then how could he and his men loose to a motley mob of soldiers? (ST)
“1776” is a story of war. This book chronicles the year 1776 and the different battles that took place during the year. Instead of exploring the political changes the year oversaw, Pulitzer Prize winner, David McCullough explores in a different perspective on the battles that occurred during the year. From battle strategies, to the lives of Major Generals, McCullough takes you through the story in a more realistic and factual perspective. “1776” offers an intimate look into the military aspects of the revolutionary war which creates a more lively and engaging literature. McCullough opens the book in London, where King George III appears on behalf of his people to announce war with the North American colonies. American patriots sought to overthrow British government that overexerted its power and pressed the American colonists, which manifested in the former taxes and troops. The American colonists began to protest and riot, which increased tension, eventually leading to the Battle of Lexington and Concord,
In his narrative Redcoats and Rebels: The American Revolution Through British Eyes, Christopher Hibbert portrays the sequence of events that happened in the American revolution from a British perspective. The author’s main idea in this narrative is to demonstrate the war from a different point of view and to emphasize the narratives from a British audience. Mr. Hibbert’s subject in this matter of the book, illustrates the life of the American people and the British loyalist representing both sides of the war. The author’s main purpose for writing this book was to not only show how the Americans won the war, but to also show the British defeat in their battle against the colonist from their standpoint. The memorandum that Mr. Hibbert displays in this narrative is the life of the British loyalist and how they viewed their loss of the war from their own perspective instead of an American viewpoint. The reason being is because, as students we have only been taught from of an American standpoint of the battle being won, and never from the British approach of losing the American Revolution and how it came about in doing so.
The Americans are shown as weak, while the British are shown as capable of pushing the American army back. This allows the author to convey the message that the British army is stronger than
It’s February 11, 1775, and the people of the New York are readying themselves for something dreadful. Crisis newspaper along with many other sources are conversing the upcoming feud between the U.S. and Great Britain under king George III. Such newspapers, address the subjects in America, addressing the current situation prior to the outbreak of the revolutionary war. Crisis newspaper questions the logic of the current status of altercation between the two countries. Crisis states, “Englishmen surely cannot be found to execute so diabolical a deed, to embrue their hands in innocent blood, and fight against their friends and country.” As one of the many adopted newspapers, you can tell that a war is coming just by reading the expressions of the authors. It reminds me about the time I watched Braveheart with my father.
The courage and virtue of the British soldier is epitomized by the character Scud East. When East and Flashman overhear plans by Russia to invade India, East insists on a mission across a hundred miles of snowy enemy territory to inform the British command: “ ‘What have we got to lose, except our lives?’ ” (164). When pressed over the details over this almost suicide mission East continues: “ ‘We both speak enough Russian to pass!’ ” (163).
Anxiety subdues his confidence as the prospect of a decisive victory dims with each passing minute. He tries to process his subordinate's failure, while looking at the fleeting figures of Prussian and Russian soldiers through his spyglass, but comes to a single conclusion, disappointment. "He dare fail me in the heat of battle!" He barks at his staff.
Gordon woke with a start. His dreams had been interrupted by violent icy sweats since the day of the Somme. Nothing , not even the cacophonous sound of dropping shells could compare to that day. He was just a boy back then. His hair was golden and swayed with the innocent breeze of the wind just like he was innocent to war and annihilation. Dazzling blue eyes shone full of naivety, the naivety of a child. But now his hair was tarnished by mud and blood; his eyes were darkened by the bloodshed of battle. Dirt splattered across his wide set nose and dark black bags hung like heavy weights around his eyes. His scintillating personality was lost to the terror of combat. At home he was considered handsome, here he was just another face.