When the narrator of The Killer Angels says this line amidst a Confederate surge against the Union, the audience is joined by the thoughts of Chamberlain in battle. While Chamberlain does not actually say this line [above], it feels as if it is something he would say. Michael Shaara presents us with a philosophical description of the war. He obviously intends for his thought to be the thought of Chamberlain’s character. I also believe this is how Shaara and Chamberlain surmise the war.
In this excerpt, I feel that Chamberlain recognizes what this war has done to the country. In that empty spot in the line of men, “the end had come and there were not enough men left now to fill the earth.” While Chamberlain appears to envy and enjoy the life of a soldier, we see his philosophical, teaching side shine through his character. It is through Chamberlain and Shaara’s view of this single skirmish that they synthesize their opinions about the war. The battle and the war seems meaningful but pointless at the same time. Why? Well in the end, the war will spread “like a stain” and there will be no one left, no purpose, and no foundation to build upon, even if one side does win. Immediately, Chamberlain identifies what could become of the Union and the Confederacy, although he does not share it to the audience out of a lingering fear.
Simultaneous thoughts of plugging his brother to fill the hole and thoughts of the end of a nation cloud Chamberlain’s mind and put him at a crossroads. Even though Shaara sculpts the problem as being about Chamberlain brother, I really feel that Chamberlain’s issue is with the total fall of the nation and complete destruction for both sides. The war wasn’t deemed absolutely necessary, but when the fighting began, the fate of all the men seemed sealed. The nation was going to fail. Chamberlain and Shaara’s realization, however, appears to come too late in the story. At this point in the story, Chamberlain, the Union, and the Confederacy were all at the point of no return for salvaging the country. It is interesting that Shaara chooses to insert an aspect of reason in the middle of this battle, and it really sheds light to Chamberlain’s motives and the possible outcome of the Civil War.
This is my interpretation of what Shaara says to the audience and what I think he purposefully links to Chamberlain’s rooted character. What do you guys think about this?
In this excerpt, I feel that Chamberlain recognizes what this war has done to the country. In that empty spot in the line of men, “the end had come and there were not enough men left now to fill the earth.” While Chamberlain appears to envy and enjoy the life of a soldier, we see his philosophical, teaching side shine through his character. It is through Chamberlain and Shaara’s view of this single skirmish that they synthesize their opinions about the war. The battle and the war seems meaningful but pointless at the same time. Why? Well in the end, the war will spread “like a stain” and there will be no one left, no purpose, and no foundation to build upon, even if one side does win. Immediately, Chamberlain identifies what could become of the Union and the Confederacy, although he does not share it to the audience out of a lingering fear.
Simultaneous thoughts of plugging his brother to fill the hole and thoughts of the end of a nation cloud Chamberlain’s mind and put him at a crossroads. Even though Shaara sculpts the problem as being about Chamberlain brother, I really feel that Chamberlain’s issue is with the total fall of the nation and complete destruction for both sides. The war wasn’t deemed absolutely necessary, but when the fighting began, the fate of all the men seemed sealed. The nation was going to fail. Chamberlain and Shaara’s realization, however, appears to come too late in the story. At this point in the story, Chamberlain, the Union, and the Confederacy were all at the point of no return for salvaging the country. It is interesting that Shaara chooses to insert an aspect of reason in the middle of this battle, and it really sheds light to Chamberlain’s motives and the possible outcome of the Civil War.
This is my interpretation of what Shaara says to the audience and what I think he purposefully links to Chamberlain’s rooted character. What do you guys think about this?
6 comments:
Chamberlain certainly provides a more articulate and realistic view of the war. His character is presented as somewhat of an outsider or beginner to the idea of war. He questions his appointment as a general, but nonetheless serves as a great leader on the battlefield. This emptiness comes as a result of thinking about the consequences of the war. Regardless of who wins, the confederates and union cannot just forget the events and battles that are taking place. Chamberlain realizes that this war cannot achieve victory for either side. In the end both sides not only lose their men, but leave the country divided into two bloody pieces.
This wasn't exactly the most uplifting post, but it was good.
i like your analysis of Shaara's intent in this quote, and i think you've got a good point. This is very much the sort of thing Chamberlain would say or think. On another level, i think we as readers are always in a state more like Chamberlain than the other soldiers; we have far more time to contemplate than the soldiers do.
This passage, I think, shows us that no matter how much Chamberlain may enjoy the life of a soldier, he will always be a professor at heart. He will always be more knowledgeable and thoughtful than his peers in the military and will never fully be able to accept the horrors of war. To an extent, this shows his inherent desire, that most men are born with, for peace. He has the capability, as all men do, to be pushed to violence, just as he has, but he still acknowledges the atrocities of war and prefers a more peaceful alternative.
I think that since Chamberlain is new to war he does not know how it will affect him. Both Lee and Longstreet know what war is and how it will affect them, but with Chamberlain we are able to see a different aspect to how war can affect a certain individual. I believe that Chamberlain understands that whoever wins this war has lost. Like what nick said he will always be a professor at heart, and will always have the big picture in his head. He forgets what they are fighting for at the time, but deep down he knows that the country will never be the same because of what happened and it could never de erased.
Chamberlin certainly seemed to be a general because he questioned himself. He constantly wondered why him of all people was chosen to be a general. It served him well because he was able to question his actions before carrying them out to maximize his chance of winning.
Here we see the depth of Chamberlains character. Not only is he able to lead the Union army to victory, eventually, but he is also able to understand the reality of war, and dismiss any brevity that one may think a war entails. He understands that war is gutless; an end that does not always justify the means. He realizes that war is terrible, that it releases the brutality that hides deep within us. He understands that the people who die in war do not simply return when the war ends. Very well written scott, great job.
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