Throughout human existence, countless wars have been waged. From the Mongolian invasion of China in 1205 to the French Revolution in 1789, it is clear that war has shaped humanity and morality into present-day standards. There is a no bigger example of war's effect on morality, perhaps, than the Second World War. Not only was it the bloodiest war, but it also plunged the world into a moral dilemma due to Nazi Germany's unethical treatment of the Jewish people. Never before has a war been so filled with morally charged opinions and ideas. The exuberance can be felt in the literature of the time, as it is felt in "The Destructors" by Graham Greene. Often acknowledged as Greene’s best work, the story follows the Wormsley Common Gang in the ruins
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An example would be the parts played by the woman in the veil and the soldiers in Okri's "In the Shadow of War." When Omovo looks out the window, he comes across a woman who the soldiers are looking for. Later, the soldiers tell Omovo that "[the woman with the veil] is a spy. She helps our enemies" (Okri 11). Further on in the story, Omovo learns that the woman is aiding refugees, or "children with kwashiorkor stomachs and women wearing rags", by providing them with food and other provisions (Okri 12). By offering disagreeing descriptions, the author paints an incredibly vague and enigmatic picture. As pointed out by Robeson, "By the end of the story, readers do not know whether the woman is indeed a spy or simply a humanitarian" (Okri 12). The soldiers in “In the Shadow of War” are similarly contradictory in that they are also showcased in two vastly different ways: the heroes and defenders of justice, yet the oppressors of a beaten down, vulnerable people. The role of the woman in the veil and the soldiers is unknown because they have the capability of becoming both. While opposing in nature, the portrayals offered are simply two sides of one coin. The true role of these characters is determined by the interpretation of the reader, which reflects on the moral behavior during wartime. It is up to individual citizens to decide what is correct and what is incorrect, as well as to deal with the confusion that might ensue. These contradicting characters showcase the mixed and confused opinions on morality present in times of
An example would be the parts played by the woman in the veil and the soldiers in Okri's "In the Shadow of War." When Omovo looks out the window, he comes across a woman who the soldiers are looking for. Later, the soldiers tell Omovo that "[the woman with the veil] is a spy. She helps our enemies" (Okri 11). Further on in the story, Omovo learns that the woman is aiding refugees, or "children with kwashiorkor stomachs and women wearing rags", by providing them with food and other provisions (Okri 12). By offering disagreeing descriptions, the author paints an incredibly vague and enigmatic picture. As pointed out by Robeson, "By the end of the story, readers do not know whether the woman is indeed a spy or simply a humanitarian" (Okri 12). The soldiers in “In the Shadow of War” are similarly contradictory in that they are also showcased in two vastly different ways: the heroes and defenders of justice, yet the oppressors of a beaten down, vulnerable people. The role of the woman in the veil and the soldiers is unknown because they have the capability of becoming both. While opposing in nature, the portrayals offered are simply two sides of one coin. The true role of these characters is determined by the interpretation of the reader, which reflects on the moral behavior during wartime. It is up to individual citizens to decide what is correct and what is incorrect, as well as to deal with the confusion that might ensue. These contradicting characters showcase the mixed and confused opinions on morality present in times of