We are Craiglockhart's success stories. Look at us. We don't remember, we don't feel, we don't think - at least beyond the confines of what's needed to do the job. By any proper civilized standard (but what does that mean now?) we are objects of horror. But our nerves are completely steady. And we are still alive.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the resilience of individuals who endure trauma, highlighting a struggle for normalcy amidst horror.
In this quote, Pat Barker portrays the psychological toll of war on soldiers, emphasizing the disconnection they experience from their own emotions and thoughts. Despite facing horrific circumstances and being deemed 'objects of horror' by civilized standards, they maintain a sense of steadiness and survival, underlining the extraordinary courage required to endure such experiences.
In practice
This quote could be used in a discussion about the psychological effects of war on soldiers.
Sometimes, in the trenches, you get the sense of something, ancient. One trench we held, it had skulls in the side, embedded, like mushrooms. It was actually easier to believe they were men from Marlborough's army, than to think they'd been alive a year ago. It was as if all the other wars had distilled themselves into this war, and that made it something you almost can't challenge. It's like a very deep voice, saying; 'Run along, little man, be glad you've survived
The ads all call me fearless, but that's just publicity. Anyone who thinks I'm not scared out of my mind whenever I do one of my stunts is crazier than I am.
The Black Panther Party stood up and said that we don't care what anybody says. We don't think fighting fire with fire is best; we think you fight fire with water best.
Behold a contest worthy of a god, a brave man matched in conflict with adversity.
The world needs heroes and it's better they be harmless men like me than villains like Hitler
Nothing has been more detrimental to me than to be considered a symbol, because I never stood for any of that... The civil rights movement thought they would do me harm over the years by disassociating themselves from me. Well, nothing in the world was more to my advantage. I was never one of them... I had my own divine mission.
The coward dies a thousand deaths, the brave but one'.... (The man who first said that) was probably a coward.... He knew a great deal about cowards but nothing about the brave. The brave dies perhaps two thousand deaths if he's intelligent. He simply doesn't mention them.
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