In chapter 9 Leper decides to enlist in the army. After seeing a film on the ski troops, Leper is lured into enlisting. I think that it is very ironic that Leper was the first boy to enlist because he is usually quiet, and enjoys collecting snails, and spending as much time as he can in nature. Leper hadn’t really thought about the war until he saw the movie about the ski troop. Once he saw the film, he was immediately drawn into the idea of joining the war. To him, the ski troop looked like “skiers in white shrouds, winging down virgin slopes, silent as angels” (pg. 124). All wars are bloody, dark, and times of sorrow, but this film made the ski troop look like heaven to Leper. Not only is it ironic that Leper was the first boy to join the army, but it is also ironic that his image of the war was, in a way, peaceful.
Nobody thought that Leper would be one of the first boys to join the war. I thought that Brinker would be the first to enlist. I viewed Leper as quiet, nerdy, and mainly interested in nature. I pictured Brinker as strong, tough, and prepared for the war. Leper, in my mind, is the last person I would’ve expected to join the war. On page 95, Leper, describing his experience of skiing, says, “I just like to go along and see what I’m passing and enjoy myself.” This quotes shows me that Leper likes to take time to notice his surroundings. I think that during the war, Leper will have no time to notice the scenery around him. On page 93, Gene says “Leper stands out for me as the person who was most often and most emphatically taken by surprise.” This quote foreshadows what the war will be like for Leper. I think Leper will be shocked when he realizes what the war is really like.
How will Leper's decision to join the war affect the rest of the characters, and how will his enlistment affect the rest of the book?
What do you think Leper's experience be like in the war?
If Gene or Brinker had been the first to enlist in the war, how would our understanding of the book be different?
Answering your second question I don't think Leper will even have an experience in war. I say this because I don't think the army will put up with any pathetic behavior Leper will produce. The army probably wont waste there time or supplies on soldiers that are too weak which is probably how Leper will be. But if Leper does go to war I think he would probably die because he probably doesn't have the courage to shoot people and other things in war. Will Leper go over seas or will he be sent back home?
ReplyDeleteAhcene, you made a definitive statement that Leper will have any experience in the war. You also said that Leper produces pathetic behavior. I am unsure that Leper's behavior is really "pathetic." As Annie claimed, "[Leper] is usually quiet, and enjoys collecting snails, and spending as much time as he can in nature." Leper's behavior is more creative or peculiar rather than pathetic. In the army, it is very encouraged to act "normally" instead of standing out and being imaginative like Leper It will be interesting to follow Leper's internal struggles with maintaing his creative characteristics while being shaped to act a certain way in an army.
ReplyDeleteNow that Leper has gone to war, the whole book has changed because the book is not going to say much about Leper and if it does talk about Leper it will be about his experience in the war. Leper's enlistment also affects all the characters because the other characters might change their idea about the war and enlist themselves like Leper. The other thing that will affect the characters are the way they talk about Leper and now the characters don't have anyone to make fun of which will change the whole attitude of the characters. Leper’s experience in the war will be great because he will change and won't be the same nerdy Leper. The whole book would change if another character enlisted into the war first because if Gene enlisted in the war most of the book will be about his experience in the war instead of him and Finny in the Devon's school. Leper will get something valuable out of the war that will change his whole life.
ReplyDelete