Introduction
War has a devastating effect on the health and well-being of those involved. It can lead to more fatalities and disabilities than any other significant disease. War damages communities and families and frequently interrupts nations’ social and economic growth. This paper highlights the effects of war, such as the psychological burden of war’s events, the emotional effects soldiers experience after war, and the devastating impacts of war on relatives, society, or friends of combatants as depicted by characters in Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms and Krebs in Soldier’s Home.
War in Literature
In the story A Farewell to Arms, the protagonists are psychologically burdened by the war’s horrible events, and they regard the war as pointless and a waste of time. They construct distractions through various devoid-of-meaning behaviors, such as sex and alcohol, to distract themselves from this horrible reality (Soqandi and Shiva 616). The love story between Catherine and Henry is an example of individuals seeking relief from the events of the war. Catherine has to endure the pain of losing her fiancĂ©, who was a causality of the war. To get through the loss, Catherine falls in love with Henry, who, to her, is a consolation and enables her to overcome the death of her fiancĂ©.
In Soldier’s Home, Krebs, the main character, suffers mental problems after returning from the war. Krebs is traumatized by the events he experienced during the war, and he is unable to live a decent life as he did before going to the war. He is a desensitized individual who cannot restore contact with his family members, fellow soldiers, or society. The protagonist in Soldier’s Home has been thrown into a state of psychic confusion due to the horrifying ordeal of combat (Mahmood 3). He is psychologically disturbed that he appears to be an outsider and has difficulty adjusting to his environment.
In the story Soldier’s Home, the effect of war on society is portrayed when the family members of Krebs are affected despite not taking part in the war. Krebs’s relationship with his family members is impacted by his mental condition (Mahmood 3). His mother, sister, and father are concerned about his present mental state; he is an entirely different person from the one they knew before he went to war.
Conclusion
In conclusion, war and the aftermath of war can have devastating effects on the lives of individuals. The Soldier’s Home depicts the damage that war has on individuals who have fought and survived it. It also portrays the impact of war on non-participants and members of society who might have lost family members, relatives, or friends and how conflict continues to impact their lives adversely.
Work Cited
Mahmood, Snoor Ismael. “After-effect of War on Characters in Ernest Hemingway’s” Soldier’s Home” and Katherine Mansfield’s” The Fly.” Journal of the University of Garmian 6 (2019): 3.
Soqandi, Mahnaz, and Shiva Zaheri Birgani. “Lost Hope in Hemingways A Farewell to Arms: Existentialism Study.” Britain International of Linguistics Arts and Education (BIoLAE) Journal 2.2 (2020): 616-621.