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Charlie Anderson Essay

Decent Essays

War has tremendous influence. It quite literally changes the landscape of the world. As humans have evolved, so has war. Yet while the specifics of war evolve and change, the consequences don’t. No matter who or why or how soldiers are fighting, there will always be loss. Whether stabbed by a sword or blown apart by an IED, soldiers will still feel pain, mothers will still cry and there will still be devastation. War affects all who encounter it differently, some go mad, others face life in a wheelchair or hospital bed, very few reap the rewards that are promised. Every age and place offer examples of such individual's, expressed in a multitude of ways. Two such examples from modern American literature and film are Joe Bonham and Charlie Anderson. …show more content…

Unlike Joe, Charlie has very strong beliefs about most things, including war. The American Civil War is occurring and Charlie insists that no one in his family should join either side because the conflict doesn’t concern them. He believes that one should only fight in war if they feel strongly about the side they are on, individuals shouldn’t go off to war because that’s what society is demanding. Charlie clearly demonstrates his strong morales multiple times throughout the film. There are many recruiters, politicians and even generals who test his will and he turns them all away. It is only when his youngest son is taken by confederates that he enters the fray. While Charlie’s views of the war may be strong, they are nothing compared to his family values. Charlie puts his family above all else.. Unlike Joe Charlie listens to what those close to him have to say and values their views. Charlie still honors his late wife whereas Joe envies his dead father. He makes sure to attend church, even if he’s late and causes a ruckus, simply because it was his wife's final wish. It is only when a member of his family is swallowed by the Civil War, that he succumbs and starts fighting. And even then the Anderson’s are on no side but their own. Charlie, unlike Joe, is strong willed even before war. It is only after emerging from battle that these two men's values are transformed and bolstered to become remarkably

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