Notice the youth's uncertainty about the courage of the other men. Why does he feel their reactions are so important? What is the significance of his questions about the possibility of running away from the battle?
Henry views the other men's reactions as important because their reactions could validate his own fear. If the other soldiers, and even veterans, had ever thought about running away due to fear than he would be able to rationalize his thoughts. However, since Henry only joined the war for recognition rather than out of passion, his fear is one that is different than most other soldiers and really can not be compared to their worries. Henry is concerned that his fear is not "heroic" and if other men tell him that being afraid is alright than Henry can better live with his cowardice, and could still believe in his dream of becoming a hero. The significance of his questions about the possibility of running away from the battle could be the same reason why Henry felt that the other men's reactions were so important. He needed reassurance that what he was thinking of doing was either common or cowardly. Another significance would be that Henry wanted to know how the other men felt about fighting because he knew that he did not belong there. The only reason why he was there was to become a sort of hero, rather than being there to fight to protect his country. Henry knew that the lack of courage and his constant thoughts of running away came from the fact that he enlisted in the war for all the wrong reasons.
Levi J. Henry decided to enlist in the army because he figured that everyone else was doing it and all the news he heard about the war was happy and all about victories. Henry figured that he could go into war because it was a popular thing to do and become a hero, but never contemplated what could happen to him in a war. He begins to realize that there is danger in war as he listens to his mother's speech because he becomes slightly irritated because he begins to feel the fear and regret of enlisting. Henry quietly contemplates his thoughts of running away in battle and comes to decide that he might possibly run away. He joined the war to fit in and do what many other people are doing, so it only makes sense that Henry would want to fit in with the popular view of the other soldiers. If they all had thoughts about running away in battle, then Henry would feel like he fit in well. When he finds out that not all of the soldiers think about running away, he is scared and feels alone because he is a misfit and joined the war because he wanted to fit in. Henry thought that by joining a war he would be a hero and fit in with everyone, but he is actually scared of battle now and regrets joining the war in the first place.
Also there isn't an anonymous option to use to comment as, so it won't let anyone post unless you make a google account or something.
I have to also agree with Miranda and Levi because the other men's reactions help him depict weither or not he wants to actually fight. He is having some dount about why he enlisted. Levi makes a good point about his mother's speech. He was getting annoyed but at the same time she was also right. He doesn't really fit in with the other people because he has thoughts of running away and the others don't. He is confused on which way to go.
Sarah M. I agree with Miranda and Levi. It would be hard to argue against the fact that Henry went to war to not only be patriotic, but to become a hero. Mirand has a good point about how Henry enlisted in the war for all the wrong reasons. Levi also points out the fact that Henry joined to become a hero and fit in with everyone else. Only when war seemed eminent did he begin to question his own motives.
Austin G. The youth feels that the reactions of other men are so important because his courage matches up different to the others. Most of the soldiers or men are willing to fight and risk their lives where the youth feels uncertain whether he should really be out in the middle of battle. The significance of his questions of running away from the battle shows that he was not ready to handle the trama of war. In the beginning the youth was curious about warfare and he wanted to see the blood or brutality of war not expecting what it would be like. While he is amongst battle he realizes that warfare is not what some may think it is and one should think about and reflect on decisions before making quick assumptions.
Henry joined the war because he always dreamed of fighting and he always pictured himself in a sort of struggle, but he was not truly passionate about the military. Once enlisted and living in the camps he becomes kind of a shadow. He doesn't speak much to the other soldiers. I believe the reason for this is because most of the time he is trying to listen in and observe their actions, so that he knows what will be okay for him to do and what will not be okay for him to do. I think he feels that their emotions are so important because of his own fear. "His emotions made him feel strange in the presence of men who talked excitedly of a prospective battle (487)..." I think he feels that he needs to prove himself to the others and act just like them. He hides his emotions inside while going along with the other men’s' emotions, until he is able to read them and make his own choices based from that. I think his questions about running away are significant because, I think that is what he plans to do, but he wants to see what others would think of him if that is the choice that he makes.
I totally agree with Miranda, Levi, and Caiti. They make some really good points and I kind of have the same view as them. Henry, the young soldier is concerned that he will run when he finally faces a conflict. He wants to be a hero, but his fears nag at him, making him doubt his own courage. While Henry lies in his tent Jim, the tall soldier, and another soldier, the loud soldier, both come in his tent, still arguing about the rumor of the army moving. Jim offers both of them evidence that they are about to move out the cavalry have moved out. Henry nervously asks Jim how he thinks their regiment will do and gets the vague answer that they will do well, probably. Henry then asks if he thinks any of them will run when faced with a fight. Jim is confident that they will fight, because they are from good stock; however, there is no way to tell they have not been under fire yet. Henry finally asks Jim if he would run from the battle. Jim speculates that he might, especially if a whole group began to run. "But if everybody was a-standing and a-fighting, why, I'd stand and fight," he adds. These words comfort Henry. I think that Henry wanted to know how the other men feel because he was starting to realize that he did not want to be there anymore and he came for the wrong reasons. The news papers made war sound like fun and that everyone was a hero. “One night, as he lay in bed, the winds had carried to him the clangoring of the church bell as some enthusiast jerked the rope frantically to tell the twisted news of a great battle. This voice of the people rejoicing in the night had made him shiver in a prolonged ecstasy of excitement. Later, he had gone down to his mother's room and had spoken thus: “Ma, I'm going to enlist.” Henry wanted to be a hero so that was his main reason for signing up. “(Page 481) As he perceived this fact it occurred to him that he had never wished to come to the war. He had not enlisted of his free will. He had been dragged by the merciless government. And now they were taking him out to be slaughtered.”(Page 494) I think that a theme in this book will be facing your fears. Henry wants to be a hero but he is scared to go into battle. Since he does not want to face his fears, he asks around if people will run from the battle. I think that in a big battle Henry will run from battle and all he will be thinking about is how people think of him. I feel that, Henry will think everyone will judge him as a coward.
Sarah G. I agree with Mashayla. She says how Henry always pictured himself in some kind of struggle and how he always wanted to fight. I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into because the war turned out to not be as good as he thought. He tries to be like everyone else but still only worries about the future.
Ryann N. Henry's definition of courage,glory,heros and battle is purely based on his knowledge of Ancient Greek War Heros, because he has never known battle for himself. He thinks that because men have lost their natural animal instinct for battle and that the new age lifestyle has made them soft; that they are ill-equipped for battle and have no "courage". Henry believes the militia and himself can earn back their pride is in the heat of battle. In the flash back of Washington; when things were going good Henry felt confident, but when he got a chance to fight or when things just got tough he doubted his persistence. Being inexperienced leads a man to fear and doubt until ultimately they chicken out. When any one is in doubt they look for reassurance. In chapter 3 my question is; What is a "blue demonstration" supposed to mean? Secondly the men are eager to fight but Henry immediately thinks about his chances if he ran. He is weary when it seems that this is a suicide mission. Chapter 4 really was an awakening to the men and Henry when he seriously decides whether to fight or run. He continues to question his courage. Although when in the heat of battle he thrives as well as the rest of the men in chapter 5. Although as soon as their captain goes down the men immediately retreat and no one steps up to lead. It's a disappointing let down after that fantastic effort. As Henry sees the perseverance of nature and its reluctance to this tragic event; he gains a sense of surprise and victory.
Henry is only in the war for his own selfish reasons of being Patriotic and to being a hero.When Henry faces reality he turns to the men in the battle,but when he hears their responses he ends up feeling more of a coward becuse the other men are willing to fight and die for their country,while Henry is thinking of escape plans. The men enlisted for legitament reasons,but Henry only enlisted for his own selfish reasons,and now he is left thinking about his decision.
Tyler c. Henry joined the war because it seems like the "cool thing to do". Henry sought the conformity that the war brought. Henry wanted to be a hero in the war, and since his mother didn't want him to join the war, he felt that he had to become some kind of hero, just so he can make his mother proud. Henry wanted to distinguish himself in society. He felt that the only way for him to do this was to join the war and become a leader in the war. Many other of the youth joined for these very same reasons as henry did. These reasons were not the right reasons for them to join the war. These boys will be unfit soldiers, because they haven't fully matured at this time and react off of split decisions and don't take the time to think about the consequences of these ideas. Their intentions were right, but most of them weren't mentally prepared to fight at this time. Both the other men and the youth had differing views of war, and their reasons for joining the war were different as well. Their courage was unmatched by the other mens. The other men are certain of their abilities, and confident. They know they wouldn't run away during battle, and would die in battle if they had to. They are truly selfless and would die in order to save one of their own. As for the youth, they are uncertain in their abilities and skills. They truly aren't mature enough to realize that they could die any day in the war. They would be most likely to run away in battle, because they aren't truly selfless enough to die for one another.
Haley Larson I would agree with Miranda and Levi. Henry thinks that if others are having similar thoughts to his and that they over came them, that he could do the same. He wanted to join the army to be seen as a hero, but he didn’t take into account about the possibilities of other circumstances that could happen why he was at war. He wanted to fit in when he first joined the war but realized that it wasn’t exactly what he expected it to be.
Jason Phelps Miranda makes a good point. The youth feels that their reactions are important because they have a lot more experience with what they are doing and he realized that enlisting in the army isn't as heroic as he thought it was going to be. The other mens reactions also determines how he feels about being in the war and how he will react in being in battle.
Bree R. I also agree with Miranda and Levi. It almost seems like when Henry decides to enlist its really because he is bored just sitting around at home with his mother, not because he wants to go fight and help our country and when his mother gives him that speech it gives him a reality check that he didn't want. I also agree that he asks those questions of the other men because they are really questions for himself, will he run away? How will he react to all the fighting? Miranda pretty much nailed it on the head with her response, Henry is in the war for all the wrong reasons, and he is using the other men to justify some of the ways he feels, and like Levi said, when none of the other men run away Henry starts to realize he is the outcast on the battlefield
Bree R. (I posted my own response before posting my response to the responses, but for some reason it didn't post, and I didn't realize it untill my second post did post) I think that Henry is getting bored with his everyday life and is just looking for something to do, so he gets the bright idea to enlist in the army. Without putting much thought into it he jumps right in and figures it shouldn't be much of a problem. When his mother gives him her speech before he is about to leave, Henry starts to realize that maybe, just maybe, this wasn't the right choice, but it's too late for him to change his mind and in a way he wants to prove his mother wrong. When he gets there and the fighting starts I think he becomes more shell shocked to actuall battle than he thought he would be and all of a sudden he is questioning why he is even there at all. This is why the other mens reactions become so important to him. If none of the other men in his group run away, that means Henry can't either, that scares him and he doesn't want to be the coward of the group. I think he questions all the men about what they will do when they get out there because he is really questioning what he himself will do and he just wants to see if any of the other men will do the same thing. Once he finds out that he is about the only one that would run away given everybody else did, I think he seriously starts to regret enlisting in the first place and wishes he would have just listened to his gut after his moms speech and stayed home.
Tim M. I would have to agree with Miranda’s thinking. The youth looks for the reactions of the older men is important to him and it’s what drives him. With these reassurances it gives logic to his thoughts. When the question comes up about running away from battle the youth needs the reassurance of the men to justify his thinking. Without this he may not be able to be a hero in their eyes or anyones. I would have to also agree with Tyler that he joined the army because he thought it was the cool thing to do and a real soldier doesn’t join because he thinks that its cool but that it’s the right thing to do and to defend his country not to become a hero. This idea is similar to today’s “metal chasers” which are men in the military who try for metals and are more concerned with “winning” metals than serving their country.
Henry views the other men's reactions as important because their reactions could validate his own fear. If the other soldiers, and even veterans, had ever thought about running away due to fear than he would be able to rationalize his thoughts. However, since Henry only joined the war for recognition rather than out of passion, his fear is one that is different than most other soldiers and really can not be compared to their worries. Henry is concerned that his fear is not "heroic" and if other men tell him that being afraid is alright than Henry can better live with his cowardice, and could still believe in his dream of becoming a hero.
ReplyDeleteThe significance of his questions about the possibility of running away from the battle could be the same reason why Henry felt that the other men's reactions were so important. He needed reassurance that what he was thinking of doing was either common or cowardly. Another significance would be that Henry wanted to know how the other men felt about fighting because he knew that he did not belong there. The only reason why he was there was to become a sort of hero, rather than being there to fight to protect his country.
Henry knew that the lack of courage and his constant thoughts of running away came from the fact that he enlisted in the war for all the wrong reasons.
Levi J.
ReplyDeleteHenry decided to enlist in the army because he figured that everyone else was doing it and all the news he heard about the war was happy and all about victories. Henry figured that he could go into war because it was a popular thing to do and become a hero, but never contemplated what could happen to him in a war. He begins to realize that there is danger in war as he listens to his mother's speech because he becomes slightly irritated because he begins to feel the fear and regret of enlisting. Henry quietly contemplates his thoughts of running away in battle and comes to decide that he might possibly run away. He joined the war to fit in and do what many other people are doing, so it only makes sense that Henry would want to fit in with the popular view of the other soldiers. If they all had thoughts about running away in battle, then Henry would feel like he fit in well. When he finds out that not all of the soldiers think about running away, he is scared and feels alone because he is a misfit and joined the war because he wanted to fit in. Henry thought that by joining a war he would be a hero and fit in with everyone, but he is actually scared of battle now and regrets joining the war in the first place.
Also there isn't an anonymous option to use to comment as, so it won't let anyone post unless you make a google account or something.
I have to also agree with Miranda and Levi because the other men's reactions help him depict weither or not he wants to actually fight. He is having some dount about why he enlisted. Levi makes a good point about his mother's speech. He was getting annoyed but at the same time she was also right. He doesn't really fit in with the other people because he has thoughts of running away and the others don't. He is confused on which way to go.
ReplyDeleteSarah M.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Miranda and Levi. It would be hard to argue against the fact that Henry went to war to not only be patriotic, but to become a hero. Mirand has a good point about how Henry enlisted in the war for all the wrong reasons. Levi also points out the fact that Henry joined to become a hero and fit in with everyone else. Only when war seemed eminent did he begin to question his own motives.
Austin G.
ReplyDeleteThe youth feels that the reactions of other men are so important because his courage matches up different to the others. Most of the soldiers or men are willing to fight and risk their lives where the youth feels uncertain whether he should really be out in the middle of battle.
The significance of his questions of running away from the battle shows that he was not ready to handle the trama of war. In the beginning the youth was curious about warfare and he wanted to see the blood or brutality of war not expecting what it would be like. While he is amongst battle he realizes that warfare is not what some may think it is and one should think about and reflect on decisions before making quick assumptions.
Mashayla C.
ReplyDeleteHenry joined the war because he always dreamed of fighting and he always pictured himself in a sort of struggle, but he was not truly passionate about the military. Once enlisted and living in the camps he becomes kind of a shadow. He doesn't speak much to the other soldiers. I believe the reason for this is because most of the time he is trying to listen in and observe their actions, so that he knows what will be okay for him to do and what will not be okay for him to do. I think he feels that their emotions are so important because of his own fear. "His emotions made him feel strange in the presence of men who talked excitedly of a prospective battle (487)..." I think he feels that he needs to prove himself to the others and act just like them. He hides his emotions inside while going along with the other men’s' emotions, until he is able to read them and make his own choices based from that. I think his questions about running away are significant because, I think that is what he plans to do, but he wants to see what others would think of him if that is the choice that he makes.
I totally agree with Miranda, Levi, and Caiti. They make some really good points and I kind of have the same view as them.
ReplyDeleteHenry, the young soldier is concerned that he will run when he finally faces a conflict. He wants to be a hero, but his fears nag at him, making him doubt his own courage. While Henry lies in his tent Jim, the tall soldier, and another soldier, the loud soldier, both come in his tent, still arguing about the rumor of the army moving. Jim offers both of them evidence that they are about to move out the cavalry have moved out. Henry nervously asks Jim how he thinks their regiment will do and gets the vague answer that they will do well, probably. Henry then asks if he thinks any of them will run when faced with a fight. Jim is confident that they will fight, because they are from good stock; however, there is no way to tell they have not been under fire yet. Henry finally asks Jim if he would run from the battle. Jim speculates that he might, especially if a whole group began to run. "But if everybody was a-standing and a-fighting, why, I'd stand and fight," he adds. These words comfort Henry. I think that Henry wanted to know how the other men feel because he was starting to realize that he did not want to be there anymore and he came for the wrong reasons. The news papers made war sound like fun and that everyone was a hero. “One night, as he lay in bed, the winds had carried to him the clangoring of the church bell as some enthusiast jerked the rope frantically to tell the twisted news of a great battle. This voice of the people rejoicing in the night had made him shiver in a prolonged ecstasy of excitement. Later, he had gone down to his mother's room and had spoken thus: “Ma, I'm going to enlist.” Henry wanted to be a hero so that was his main reason for signing up. “(Page 481) As he perceived this fact it occurred to him that he had never wished to come to the war. He had not enlisted of his free will. He had been dragged by the merciless government. And now they were taking him out to be slaughtered.”(Page 494)
I think that a theme in this book will be facing your fears. Henry wants to be a hero but he is scared to go into battle. Since he does not want to face his fears, he asks around if people will run from the battle. I think that in a big battle Henry will run from battle and all he will be thinking about is how people think of him. I feel that, Henry will think everyone will judge him as a coward.
Sarah G.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mashayla. She says how Henry always pictured himself in some kind of struggle and how he always wanted to fight. I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into because the war turned out to not be as good as he thought. He tries to be like everyone else but still only worries about the future.
Ryann N.
ReplyDeleteHenry's definition of courage,glory,heros and battle is purely based on his knowledge of Ancient Greek War Heros, because he has never known battle for himself. He thinks that because men have lost their natural animal instinct for battle and that the new age lifestyle has made them soft; that they are ill-equipped for battle and have no "courage". Henry believes the militia and himself can earn back their pride is in the heat of battle. In the flash back of Washington; when things were going good Henry felt confident, but when he got a chance to fight or when things just got tough he doubted his persistence. Being inexperienced leads a man to fear and doubt until ultimately they chicken out. When any one is in doubt they look for reassurance. In chapter 3 my question is; What is a "blue demonstration" supposed to mean? Secondly the men are eager to fight but Henry immediately thinks about his chances if he ran. He is weary when it seems that this is a suicide mission. Chapter 4 really was an awakening to the men and Henry when he seriously decides whether to fight or run. He continues to question his courage. Although when in the heat of battle he thrives as well as the rest of the men in chapter 5. Although as soon as their captain goes down the men immediately retreat and no one steps up to lead. It's a disappointing let down after that fantastic effort. As Henry sees the perseverance of nature and its reluctance to this tragic event; he gains a sense of surprise and victory.
Keep asking questions. I appreciate these thoughtful responses. Students, any help for Ryann's questions?
ReplyDeleteKeep posting!
Vee C
ReplyDeleteI agree with Miranda G,
Henry is only in the war for his own selfish reasons of being Patriotic and to being a hero.When Henry faces reality he turns to the men in the battle,but when he hears their responses he ends up feeling more of a coward becuse the other men are willing to fight and die for their country,while Henry is thinking of escape plans. The men enlisted for legitament reasons,but Henry only enlisted for his own selfish reasons,and now he is left thinking about his decision.
Tyler c.
ReplyDeleteHenry joined the war because it seems like the "cool thing to do". Henry sought the conformity that the war brought. Henry wanted to be a hero in the war, and since his mother didn't want him to join the war, he felt that he had to become some kind of hero, just so he can make his mother proud.
Henry wanted to distinguish himself in society. He felt that the only way for him to do this was to join the war and become a leader in the war.
Many other of the youth joined for these very same reasons as henry did. These reasons were not the right reasons for them to join the war. These boys will be unfit soldiers, because they haven't fully matured at this time and react off of split decisions and don't take the time to think about the consequences of these ideas. Their intentions were right, but most of them weren't mentally prepared to fight at this time.
Both the other men and the youth had differing views of war, and their reasons for joining the war were different as well. Their courage was unmatched by the other mens. The other men are certain of their abilities, and confident. They know they wouldn't run away during battle, and would die in battle if they had to. They are truly selfless and would die in order to save one of their own. As for the youth, they are uncertain in their abilities and skills. They truly aren't mature enough to realize that they could die any day in the war. They would be most likely to run away in battle, because they aren't truly selfless enough to die for one another.
Haley Larson
ReplyDeleteI would agree with Miranda and Levi. Henry thinks that if others are having similar thoughts to his and that they over came them, that he could do the same. He wanted to join the army to be seen as a hero, but he didn’t take into account about the possibilities of other circumstances that could happen why he was at war. He wanted to fit in when he first joined the war but realized that it wasn’t exactly what he expected it to be.
Jason Phelps
ReplyDeleteMiranda makes a good point. The youth feels that their reactions are important because they have a lot more experience with what they are doing and he realized that enlisting in the army isn't as heroic as he thought it was going to be. The other mens reactions also determines how he feels about being in the war and how he will react in being in battle.
Bree R.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Miranda and Levi. It almost seems like when Henry decides to enlist its really because he is bored just sitting around at home with his mother, not because he wants to go fight and help our country and when his mother gives him that speech it gives him a reality check that he didn't want. I also agree that he asks those questions of the other men because they are really questions for himself, will he run away? How will he react to all the fighting? Miranda pretty much nailed it on the head with her response, Henry is in the war for all the wrong reasons, and he is using the other men to justify some of the ways he feels, and like Levi said, when none of the other men run away Henry starts to realize he is the outcast on the battlefield
Bree R.
ReplyDelete(I posted my own response before posting my response to the responses, but for some reason it didn't post, and I didn't realize it untill my second post did post)
I think that Henry is getting bored with his everyday life and is just looking for something to do, so he gets the bright idea to enlist in the army. Without putting much thought into it he jumps right in and figures it shouldn't be much of a problem. When his mother gives him her speech before he is about to leave, Henry starts to realize that maybe, just maybe, this wasn't the right choice, but it's too late for him to change his mind and in a way he wants to prove his mother wrong. When he gets there and the fighting starts I think he becomes more shell shocked to actuall battle than he thought he would be and all of a sudden he is questioning why he is even there at all. This is why the other mens reactions become so important to him. If none of the other men in his group run away, that means Henry can't either, that scares him and he doesn't want to be the coward of the group. I think he questions all the men about what they will do when they get out there because he is really questioning what he himself will do and he just wants to see if any of the other men will do the same thing. Once he finds out that he is about the only one that would run away given everybody else did, I think he seriously starts to regret enlisting in the first place and wishes he would have just listened to his gut after his moms speech and stayed home.
Tim M.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Miranda’s thinking. The youth looks for the reactions of the older men is important to him and it’s what drives him. With these reassurances it gives logic to his thoughts. When the question comes up about running away from battle the youth needs the reassurance of the men to justify his thinking. Without this he may not be able to be a hero in their eyes or anyones. I would have to also agree with Tyler that he joined the army because he thought it was the cool thing to do and a real soldier doesn’t join because he thinks that its cool but that it’s the right thing to do and to defend his country not to become a hero. This idea is similar to today’s “metal chasers” which are men in the military who try for metals and are more concerned with “winning” metals than serving their country.