Characters and strong association Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Characters and strong association - Essay Example All of these things are dependent on the setting of the novel and they shape the man that Robert was at the beginning of the novel and the man that he had become at the end. At the beginning of The Wars, we find out that Robert has just enlisted in the army because he wants to escape the feelings of guilt that he has after his sister’s death. We also learn that Robert is opposed to the war in some ways, but he feels as though enlisting is the only way to escape the feelings that he has, as well as the accusations that his own mother has been making against him. Therefore, it is the setting at the family’s house that initially turns Robert into a soldier, but also what has made him into such a compassionate character. As the story continues, Robert begins to develop an extremely short temper, as he lashes out at others and sees his relationship with his mother completely disintegrate. He also pushes his father away, as although they get along, they have differing opinions on a number of things and cannot be together all the time. The wartime setting also adds to this anger, as Robert feels as though human lives are not highly regarded during a war and he sees the worst that humanity has to offer everyday. When Robert kills the German soldier, even though the soldier let him and his troops lives, we can still see how unnatural this role is for Robert, but it is a role that the setting has forced him into. As the novel draws to a close, we see Robert drift towards madness, as he is unable to come to grips with all of the horrible things that he has experienced. He wishes that someone could teach him to be a killer because he does not understand how other people can do it so easily. At this point we can see the psychological damage that the war has done to Robert, as it has completely changed the person that he is and he never gets the chance to be himself again, as he dies as a result of injuries sustained in a fire. This novel shows the