In the novel, the concept of war is portrayed as far from noble. Instead, it is a brutal system governed by its own unique rules and logic. Candide experiences war firsthand as a conscripted soldier—detained and coerced into fighting. War is depicted as a total squandering of resources. A recurring theme is the idea of acting "in accordance with international law," a concept that remains pertinent today. For Voltaire, through the character of Candide, this meant that soldiers were permitted to rape women and loot and destroy every village. "International law" acts as a justification for waging war. The result of war is invariably the same, with "the ground strewn with brains and severed arms and legs."