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Why Men Love War

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William Broyles, Jr.: Why Men Love War (1984)

● In what way do the veterans feel a certain ambivalence towards the war, according to Broyles?
In one way, the soldiers is raised in the believe that war is a horrible thing you and you can’t like such things. In another way, the men loved being in war. It’s gives them an intoxication, that they can’t have any other way.

● How does he portray the life of a Vietnam veteran?
Invariably filled with boozy awkwardness, forced camaraderie ending in sadness and tears.

● Explain and comment on the following statement: "There were no metaphors that connected the war to everyday life." (p. 130).
Vietnam veteran why talk about everyday life it makes absolutely no sense when you’ve been in war and you’ve experienced so many things and you can’t connect war and everyday life, the difference is too big.

● Explain and comment on the following sentence: "War is the enduring condition of man …" (p. 131).
It is a male instinct to experience war at some point in his life. The text says; “There is a reason for every war and a war for every reason.” There is always an excuse for war.

● How does Broyles characterise himself? Why does he miss the war at some points?
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● Sum up the reasons Broyles gives for why men love war. In this connection, comment on the statements below. Find more statements that explain why men love war and comment on them: ◦ War is an escape from the everyday (p. 133) ◦ War is a game (p. 133) ◦ The enduring emotion of war is comradeship (p. 134) ◦ Isolation is the greatest fear in war (p. 134) ◦ War is beautiful (p. 139)
● Describe Broyles' feelings on his first encounter with the enemy (p. 134). Compare with Ambush.
● What did the Vietnam Veterans Memorial mean to the veterans according to Broyles? (pp. 135-36)
● What does Broyles say about the significance of war stories? "I have never once heard a grunt tell a reporter a war story that wasn't a lie…" (p. 136). Why is it so difficult to tell the truth?
● "And one of the most troubling reasons men love war is the love of destruction, the thrill of killing" (p. 137). Do you agree? Discuss.
● Comment on the sentence: "Language liberated us" (p. 137). What does Broyles mean? Could you give other examples from the texts you have read?
● "War is, in short a turn-on" (p. 140). Comment on this statement. What does Broyles say about war and sex? Compare with The General Goes Zapping Charlie Cong.
● How does Broyles describe and explain his attraction to the Vietnamese girl? Explain and comment on the following passage: "She was the suffering soul of war, and I was the soldier who has wounded it but would make it whole." (p. 141).
● Comment on the ending: "It's a long way from Nam, isn't it?" "Yes. And no."
● Collect evidence of the gap between veterans and civilians in the texts you have read. What are their problems in relation to re-integration and coming to terms with their experiences in Vietnam?
● Discuss how these vets seem to be haunted by the past.

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