Morality In Xavier's Obsession

Finally, the obsessive nature of humans in war creates a merciless environment where morality is ultimately lost. Xavier's obsession with Elijah leads him down a dangerous path towards war and absolute corruption. Elijah and Xavier have been best friends since childhood, they are inseparable. However, the dependence that Xavier feels towards Elijah is not necessarily reciprocated. Xavier conveys that he entered to the war because of Elijah, to “protect him. It is what [he] do[es], what [he] ha[s] always tried to do” (58). By consuming his thoughts with Elijah instead of himself, Xavier is able to justify his acts of cruelty. By preoccupying his time and his thoughts with his friend rather than himself Xavier is now able to behave how he wants …show more content…
When Elijah was young he felt remorse for his kills and he abided by the Native American traditions of conserving the body. Now he is reckless and has a total disregard for the sanctity of life and what it means to be a killer. His morals have been blurred and he no longer knows where the line of sanity and madness meet. Elijah is consumed entirely by his obsession and does only as he pleases. To expand upon the point of obsession, Grey Eyes’ thoughts and actions are dominated by morphine and the fantasy world that it takes him to; this causes him to be a risk to everyone in his group. Grey Eyes is described by Xavier as “the one who is a liar [and a] prisoner of the medicine they call morphine [...] he is a bad one and his actions will lead [everyone] to trouble” (65). Greys Eyes’ obsession with morphine allows him to escape to a fantasy world where he has no responsibilities. In the real world however he does have obligations that end up not being taken care of, leading the group to danger. Grey Eyes does not take any responsibility for his actions like a civil person would. He allows chaos and madness to breed around him. Due to his lack of action, his group