The Storytellers of War

Most war stories are very similar to one another in that they depict the tragedy and horror of war and death. Such is the case with Twain's War Prayer, Salinger's A Perfect Day for Bananafish, and Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line, an adaptation of the novel written by James Jones. All three represent cruelty and catastrophe.

The War Prayer is a look on what is actually achieved with victory. Set as the civil war is raging across the country, this short story takes place in a church where the constituents are in the action of praying, under the supervision of the minister, for their loved ones to come home victorious. At this time, a man, resembling what many might believe God to look like, enters the congregation and begins to preach a magnificent sermon, attempting to bring enlightenment to his listeners as to what they are actually praying for, the death of their fellow humans, and at one time, their countrymen.

Of course, the people believe him to be insane and disregard the message, however, the purpose of the oratory is for the reader to understand it. One side cannot truly be good and the other evil. In war, all humans are equal, as in death, and no one person's life is valued above another. The Thin Red Line does something very similar in its war scenes. Malick depicts both sides, American and Japanese, as equals fighting for survival. He does not make the enemy evil, as many war movies do, nor is there any sign of some sort of ethnocentricity between these two competing forces.

While The War Prayer addresses the idea of war as horror, it does not address the mental challenges faced by the individual, more specifically, the soldier, experienced during and after the war. In The Thin Red Line, various characters throughout the movie narrate their emotions, whether loneliness, fear, pain, and so on. Other times, no narration is necessary and can plainly be seen by the emotions displayed by the actors. When a soldier sends two men to his death, the camera pans back to him and the audience can clearly see his face contort into a painful, melancholy expression.

In A Perfect Day for Bananafish, Mark Twain does not expressly state the feelings of his main character, Seymour, as was done in The Thin Red Line.. However, he does show the toll war has taken on him through his actions and the reactions of those around him. His mother-in-law thinks that he is crazy and constantly worries for her daughter's life, assuming Seymour to be dangerous. Although his wife is not afraid, she does admit that his behavior is different and irrational after his return. In the end, his burden is too heavy and he solves his problem with suicide.

Although the three stories are quite different plot wise, they are very similar thematically. None of them are optimistic of war and all attempt to bring the tragedy, heartbreak, and misfortune that war entails to the eyes of the reader. Thus, after reading such as story, one is left with the hope that one never has to experience such a thing.

As far as my own personal opinion is concerned, I doubt that anyone would say that they love war. Although I find that in certain situations it is a necessary evil, I'd like to think that everything possible is done to avoid it. These days, when a government or a ruler declares war, they are not seen riding alongside their troops to the battlefront as did Napoleon or Alexander. These days, they are seen sitting on a comfortable sofa in their ranch house counting the money saved and lost with each loss of life they face.

There are certain situations where, as a common people, we must fight against those who suppress the rights of others, whether this be in Germany, Africa, or wherever else. When we begin to fight, however, to satisfy some sort of imperialistic or economic dreams, its no longer cause but blind ambition. When we fight for revenge or for alliances, we are no longer fighting the right battle.

When a war is started to bring a dictator out of power who kills those people within his own borders, that's one thing. But when the world plunges into war because of prearranged alliances after one crazed Serb shoots a bullet through the head of an heir apparent instead of punishing the insane aggressor, going to war becomes a ludicrous concept. The idea of millions dying for a man already six feet under is not a concept that I can grasp.

Personally, no matter what the cause of war, I would not like to be put in a situation where I am at the frontlines with a gun pointed at another person, no matter his nationality, race, or religion. Although I cannot see myself forsaking my duties to my country in the event of a national draft, I, at the same time, cannot see myself becoming the reaper who brings death to those who live with me on this planet.

So while you'd never find me saying that war is a good thing, you may find me saying that it is an essential one at times. Though I'd be hard pressed to abet it, I would never disregard it. Even when I find it necessary, I always hope for a minimum loss of lives on both sides. For many of those who fight under a cruel leader did nothing wrong, but fight out of necessity of survival. Who are we to have the power to take their lives? Are we so superior? Are we always right? Is that what grants us the right to be the victor, the vanquisher of evil, and in the process bring death to those who we feel in death would serve the greater good? I don't believe so.