Arms and the Man Group

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kausik911
kausik911
Student
College - Junior

"What uses are cartridges in battle?"--Why does the speaker say so? What does he carry instead and why?

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Posted by kausik911 on Tuesday July 15, 2008 at 7:47 AM and tagged with arms and the man, context, story, theme.

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  1. reidalot
    reidalot Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Bluntschli is speaking to Raina in this scene as he classifies the two types of soldiers: "old ones and young ones." The young ones actually think that cartridges will save them in battle, he relates to her ironically. The old solders know that "grub" is what they must keep in their belts.

    The reality of war, he explains, is that a soldier will probably starve to death before he is shot, so an experienced soldier carries food. That is also the reason the Man (Bluntschli) eats the chocolates so quickly. Paradoxically, if the young soldiers win a battle, he further goes on to explain, it is only by mere chance, an accident of fate!

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/armsandtheman

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    Posted by reidalot on Wednesday July 16, 2008 at 5:12 AM