pg 370-414.
In this final installment, the officers first order a full scale charge, using up the men's last ounce of energy and enthusiasm. This next act is of extreme significance to the characters and to the depth of the book. Henry and Wilson see a small group of enemy soldiers stay and honorably fight among the others who fled. they also, in the middle of action, see the enemy flag bearer wounded. they both dive, and Wilson gets the flag, which, to him, is extreme accomplishment. The other troops are driven back, and, with knowledge that there were four prisoners, the two friends rest contently. Henry, taking orders to walk back to the river, ponders his experiences of this war. He thinks about the tattered man he left behind, and his successes in battle. At last, he separates his mind from the guilt that he had experienced. Rain starts to pour, and Henry, with a self-reflecting and peaceful mind feels a "quiet manhood" inside himself. The sun breaks through the clouds.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Post 24
PGs. 331-369
In the next reading, Henry and his regiment return to a friendly fortified position. When the get there,though, their fellow soldiers mock them. They say that their last battle took place only 100 feet from the camp. Henry and Wilson look, and see that they are all right. There was a pitiful distance between their battle grounds and where they were. The kernels of the army called them "mud diggers", which roused the 304th like nothing had before. A few men came up personally to Henry and Wilson talking about their excellent battle report. The report said that they were the best fighters in the regiment. Henry and Wilson go into the battle with their regiment,with much confidence between them, march into the next battle to be defeated. Henry spectates for what seems like the entire battle, forgetting that he's part of the action too. He sees that Wilson and the lieutenant are unhurt, at least.
In the next reading, Henry and his regiment return to a friendly fortified position. When the get there,though, their fellow soldiers mock them. They say that their last battle took place only 100 feet from the camp. Henry and Wilson look, and see that they are all right. There was a pitiful distance between their battle grounds and where they were. The kernels of the army called them "mud diggers", which roused the 304th like nothing had before. A few men came up personally to Henry and Wilson talking about their excellent battle report. The report said that they were the best fighters in the regiment. Henry and Wilson go into the battle with their regiment,with much confidence between them, march into the next battle to be defeated. Henry spectates for what seems like the entire battle, forgetting that he's part of the action too. He sees that Wilson and the lieutenant are unhurt, at least.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
pgs.291-330
Henry, at the beginning of these pages, sees the "color bearer", or the flag carrier get shot, so he goes to grab the flag. Then, they see their regiment fall back towards them, after the enemy broke their charge. Safe from enemy fire, they are behind the trees, and Henry and Wilson briefly fight over who should take the flag. Henry, eventually wears his colors. Henry is only worried about getting “a fine revenge upon the officer who had referred to him and his fellows as mule drivers," but the regiment is too weak to sustain so much damage. The 304th, to Henry's surprise, puts up quite the defense, not letting their victory be an easy one. They do, eventually force the enemy to retreat. Henry and his regiment are filled with fresh enthusiasm and amazement.
Henry, at the beginning of these pages, sees the "color bearer", or the flag carrier get shot, so he goes to grab the flag. Then, they see their regiment fall back towards them, after the enemy broke their charge. Safe from enemy fire, they are behind the trees, and Henry and Wilson briefly fight over who should take the flag. Henry, eventually wears his colors. Henry is only worried about getting “a fine revenge upon the officer who had referred to him and his fellows as mule drivers," but the regiment is too weak to sustain so much damage. The 304th, to Henry's surprise, puts up quite the defense, not letting their victory be an easy one. They do, eventually force the enemy to retreat. Henry and his regiment are filled with fresh enthusiasm and amazement.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Pg 254- 290
The battle increases now and draws deeper and deeper into the woods. Jimmie Rogers, a companion of Henry's cries in pain, and Wilson and Henry go to get water from a nearby stream. While looking for this stream, they find a spot from which they can see the battle unfold. He hears his general talk about shifting around soldiers. It is said that there is need for an officer, and Henry's regiment, the 304th, is said to “fight like a lot 'a mule drivers”. They think the men don't need leadership. Henry and Wilson are totally shocked, for they think their regiment is invincible. The general then says that most of his regiment is said to be killed in a coming attack. They do not share this, but keep it to themselves, retaining a quiet resignation.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Pg 214-252
On these pages, Wilson follows Henry to a group of trenches where his comrades are rumoring about what the plans of the enemy are. Henry is welcomed back to his regiment by being "shepherded" back into the woods. The forceful push encourages Henry to talk bad about the Generals ill capacity to lead the men and win fights. Henry realizes this is bad if he wants to be thought of as a soldier and not as a fraud that he feels he is. The enemy is said to be only a few maddening minutes away. Henry is overcome with hatred for the enemy, and fires and reloads in a frenzy that takes his mind off of even thinking of retreating. He is in such a daze, that even after the battle is over, he is still firing his weapon. His leaders and fellow soldiers congratulate him, though he only seems to remember something like "falling asleep and woke to find himself a knight".
On these pages, Wilson follows Henry to a group of trenches where his comrades are rumoring about what the plans of the enemy are. Henry is welcomed back to his regiment by being "shepherded" back into the woods. The forceful push encourages Henry to talk bad about the Generals ill capacity to lead the men and win fights. Henry realizes this is bad if he wants to be thought of as a soldier and not as a fraud that he feels he is. The enemy is said to be only a few maddening minutes away. Henry is overcome with hatred for the enemy, and fires and reloads in a frenzy that takes his mind off of even thinking of retreating. He is in such a daze, that even after the battle is over, he is still firing his weapon. His leaders and fellow soldiers congratulate him, though he only seems to remember something like "falling asleep and woke to find himself a knight".
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
PG 176-213
On these pages, Henry finally gives in to his fear of being hated by his comrades, and slowly walks to the sound of gunfire. A voice comes in, "HALT". Surprised, he realizes his comrade Wilson is standing guard. with a wound on his head, he goes to see corporal to inspect the wounds. He falls asleep with a wet cloth on his wound and a cup of coffee in his hand. When he wakes up, he is startled, for it seems all the men around him are dead, but they are only sleeping. when the horn sounds they all get up and Henry is relieved to see they are okay. Near Wilson's continued care-taking, there are a group of men exchanging harsh words, but contrary to what Henry has seen Wilson act like before, he halts the fight, keeping the peace. Wilson is no longer the loud and proud soldier that he once was.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Pgs 132-175
Henry, still separated from his group, marches towards the sound of wagon wheels and footsteps. By this time, he is hungry and his body is aching, and, worst of all, he has lost his weapon. He "hovers" around the battle the footsteps are travelling towards, trying to determine the victor. If his side looses, he thinks that will rid him of his guilt for the time being, thinking of his powerful perception of the future as prophetic. He doesn't possibly see a way that the blue soldiers can lose, so he tries to come up with a story to cover up his selfishness. He can't think of any excusable answer. He then sees the men he envied earlier be swallowed by a swarm of enemy troops. Henry is frightened and grabs a fleeing man to ask what is going on. He shouts for him to let go, but Henry doesn't, so the frenzied man jabs him in the head with the butt of his rifle. A random friendly stranger then helps Henry out of the battle to find his regiment.
Henry, still separated from his group, marches towards the sound of wagon wheels and footsteps. By this time, he is hungry and his body is aching, and, worst of all, he has lost his weapon. He "hovers" around the battle the footsteps are travelling towards, trying to determine the victor. If his side looses, he thinks that will rid him of his guilt for the time being, thinking of his powerful perception of the future as prophetic. He doesn't possibly see a way that the blue soldiers can lose, so he tries to come up with a story to cover up his selfishness. He can't think of any excusable answer. He then sees the men he envied earlier be swallowed by a swarm of enemy troops. Henry is frightened and grabs a fleeing man to ask what is going on. He shouts for him to let go, but Henry doesn't, so the frenzied man jabs him in the head with the butt of his rifle. A random friendly stranger then helps Henry out of the battle to find his regiment.
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