In the poem, “The Battle of Maldon,” an anonymous poet describes a fearsome battle between the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons. Told entirely from the English perspective, the poem sings countless praises of the Anglo-Saxons, depicting them as heroes commanding their souls to God and sacrificing themselves to advance a greater cause. The speaker depicts war as a heroic endeavor, begetting camaraderie, bravery, loyalty, and perseverance. Soldiers are passionate about the cause, fighting for romantic notions of patriotism and honor, and even as they die, they voice their defiance and love for their country and their Lord. The idealized view of war presented in this poem was prevalent throughout the world for centuries, but the arrival of World
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In the book, after Frederic returns to the front from his leave, he describes the military operations in his absence, "It evidently made no difference whether I was there or not... the whole thing seemed to run better while I was away" (AFTA 14). Frederic's view that his efforts make "no difference" to the war and that the military operations "run better" when he is "away" indicates his alienation from the war effort, which seems to run more efficiently in his absence. Frederic's observation reveals that he feels inconsequential and burdensome to the war and his fellow soldiers, contrasting with the romantic perspective, in which every single soldier is considered a hero. According to Marc Hewson, "This spark of doubt about the value of his military status makes him vulnerable to other potentially devastating questions about himself and is at least partially responsible for his desertion in Book Three" (Hewson 7). Frederic’s “doubt” about his “military status” clearly contradicts the romantic notion of soldiers’ unwavering dedication to their country and to the war. Frederic’s “desertion,” which, according to Hewson, results from this uncertainty, further challenges the supposed gloriousness of war; rather than show determination and defiance till the end, a soldier …show more content…
Not only does Hemingway depict Frederic’s inner alienation from the war, but he also depicts Frederic’s separation through his interactions with Italians. When Frederic is in the hospital in Milan, and a rude barber comes in to shave him, the porter describes, "He doesn't understand very well, and he thought I said you were an Austrian officer" (AFTA 79). This interaction is significant because Frederic is thought to be an "Austrian," the enemy, by an Italian, one of the people whom he serves and protects by fighting in the war. Frederic is disrespected by someone whom he risks his life for by fighting in the war, undermining the romantic notion of soldiers achieving reverence from ordinary people for engaging in war. Hemingway additionally depicts Frederic’s withdrawal from the Italians through his interactions with non-Italians. When describing his pistol, Frederic says, "The ridiculousness of carrying a pistol came all over me and I soon forgot it and carried it flopping against the small of my back with no feeling at all except a vague sort of shame when I met English-speaking people" (AFTA 25). The "pistol" is an instrument of war, symbolic of Frederic's involvement with the Italians during World War I. However, Frederic has "no feeling at all" when
In the book, after Frederic returns to the front from his leave, he describes the military operations in his absence, "It evidently made no difference whether I was there or not... the whole thing seemed to run better while I was away" (AFTA 14). Frederic's view that his efforts make "no difference" to the war and that the military operations "run better" when he is "away" indicates his alienation from the war effort, which seems to run more efficiently in his absence. Frederic's observation reveals that he feels inconsequential and burdensome to the war and his fellow soldiers, contrasting with the romantic perspective, in which every single soldier is considered a hero. According to Marc Hewson, "This spark of doubt about the value of his military status makes him vulnerable to other potentially devastating questions about himself and is at least partially responsible for his desertion in Book Three" (Hewson 7). Frederic’s “doubt” about his “military status” clearly contradicts the romantic notion of soldiers’ unwavering dedication to their country and to the war. Frederic’s “desertion,” which, according to Hewson, results from this uncertainty, further challenges the supposed gloriousness of war; rather than show determination and defiance till the end, a soldier …show more content…
Not only does Hemingway depict Frederic’s inner alienation from the war, but he also depicts Frederic’s separation through his interactions with Italians. When Frederic is in the hospital in Milan, and a rude barber comes in to shave him, the porter describes, "He doesn't understand very well, and he thought I said you were an Austrian officer" (AFTA 79). This interaction is significant because Frederic is thought to be an "Austrian," the enemy, by an Italian, one of the people whom he serves and protects by fighting in the war. Frederic is disrespected by someone whom he risks his life for by fighting in the war, undermining the romantic notion of soldiers achieving reverence from ordinary people for engaging in war. Hemingway additionally depicts Frederic’s withdrawal from the Italians through his interactions with non-Italians. When describing his pistol, Frederic says, "The ridiculousness of carrying a pistol came all over me and I soon forgot it and carried it flopping against the small of my back with no feeling at all except a vague sort of shame when I met English-speaking people" (AFTA 25). The "pistol" is an instrument of war, symbolic of Frederic's involvement with the Italians during World War I. However, Frederic has "no feeling at all" when