I found this quotation very interesting so here is a short entry for it. Perhaps it would be fun to start a discussion since our blog is kind of lacking communication? (and I thought it might encourage other people to check on our blog more often and start making more entries).
"That was according to the rules of the service…General Campion, accepting with equanimity what German aeroplanes did to the hospitals, camps, stables, brothels, theatres, boulevards, chocolate stall, and hotels of this town would have been vastly outraged if Hun planes had dropped bombs oh his private lodgings…The rules of war!…You spare, mutually, each other’s head quarters and blow to pieces girls that are desired by six thousand men apiece” (332).
Some of the major crimes of war (during WWI and presently) is to:
- cause deliberate destruction of civilian buildings.
- attack hospitals, doctors, nurses, wounded soldiers or ambulances.
- murder, torture, and/or physically harm the civilian population
Thus, by General Campion calmly accepting these war crimes, but being upset when his property is damaged, signify the end of the English aristocratic value, Noblese Oblige. Ford seems to criticize the crumble of Noblese Oblige and the Feudal System as the military leaders, who are supposed to protect the soldiers and civilians, cares about only themselves. From Tietjen's reaction, the reader can sense that he really is the last of person who truly values Noblese Oblige.
* Thoughts? Comments? Anything to add? Other readings of this quotation??
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment