he beginning of the war encouraged civilians to be patriotic and nationalistic. The book started out with France declaring war on Germany. Dartemont described the scene as the entire town being excited for war and celebrating on the streets. He signed up for the war as a result of public pressure; it was what everyone expected from young men. The nation was expected to have an infatuation for war considering the pride they had in their country. Dartemont recalled a time where he witnessed an old man get beat-up in a cafe because he didn’t stand for the national anthem. When this man didn’t stand, a group of men started harassing him and soon everyone in the cafe was kicking him and beating him, several people claiming he was a German spy. They
