As the novel moves forward and he hears more and more discussion and argument about the war, from his brothers and other relations, his ideas about war being glorious or something to be celebrated or excited about are removed and he begins to understand that war is an ugly thing, and that the causes behind it are also not quite as ideal as he thought.

This is meant to mimic the understanding that many young men gain if they have to go off and fight in a war or as they grow older and realize the "glory" of war is a hollow thing and not something to be counted on or a good reason to go and fight.