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Chapter 35
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The First Casualty, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Absurdity of War
Gender and Violence
Cowardice vs. Bravery
Art and War
Summary
Analysis
The truck Kingsley is riding to the frontlines takes an hour break. During this time, many of the soldiers get out of the truck to defecate together. This ritual surprises Kingsley, who has never defecated in front of anyone. While defecating, several of the men discuss the origins of the war. Some of the men are clearly more educated on the war than others, though none of them know exactly why the British are still involved.
Although The First Casualty is a serious novel with heavy themes, it also blends comedy into the mix. While this scene is yet another example of how the war dehumanizes those who fight in it, it also creates a moment of levity by placing serious discussion about the origins of the war in the mouths of men who are relieving themselves.
Active
Themes
One man, Price, speaks up to say that capitalism is the root of all wars. Many of the man tell him to shut up, though others appear interested, including Kingsley. Price insists there would be no wars if socialists were in charge because workers would have no need to fight with one another. As everyone makes their way back to the truck, Kingsley asks Price if he knows anything about Abercrombie. Price shrugs and says Abercrombie’s death means there is one less aristocrat around to steal from the working man. However, he does suspect that Abercrombie was not killed in combat and that the army is hiding something related to his death.
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