Krebs desires to "live alone without consequences" because he is disillusioned by the insincerity he encounters upon returning home from World War I. He finds people uninterested in the harsh truths of war, compelling him to fabricate stories, which leads to shame and disinterest in life. To avoid the complications and dishonesty of relationships, he seeks a solitary, truthful existence, free from societal expectations and emotional entanglements, ultimately deciding to leave home to achieve this.

Krebs's war experiences in "Soldier's Home" are evident through his emotional detachment and inability to reconnect with his community and family. Although Hemingway does not detail the trauma, Krebs's alienation is clear. He embellishes stories for attention, avoids relationships, and expresses a lack of love, indicating his internal struggles. His disinterest in life, such as not wanting a girlfriend or job, reflects the lasting impact of his war experiences.

Krebs reacts to his hometown's lack of hero greetings by feeling alienated and compelled to lie about his war experiences. Upon his return, he finds that the community's interest in the war has waned, and they are uninterested in his true experiences. This indifference forces Krebs to fabricate stories to satisfy their expectations, causing him internal distress and leading to a life of isolation and emotional detachment, ultimately damaging his relationship with his mother.

Krebs' statement in "Soldier's Home" reflects his emotional detachment and struggle to adapt post-war. The war taught him to suppress feelings, leaving him emotionally disconnected, viewing relationships, especially with women, as unnecessarily complicated. He longs for the simplicity of wartime encounters without emotional ties. At home, he avoids the effort of forming connections, even with family, indicating his inability to love or engage deeply. This detachment underscores his preference for male camaraderie over romantic pursuits.

Krebs's mother embodies the community's traditional values, expecting her son to fulfill conventional roles such as a breadwinner and a faithful follower of God. She is unaware of the profound changes in Krebs due to his war experiences, as she treats him like a dependent child. However, Krebs has rejected these values, including his faith, and is disinterested in local expectations like marriage, as he now questions previously accepted norms.

Krebs avoids discussing his battles because his hometown's perception of war differs significantly from his reality. The townspeople, influenced by exaggerated atrocity stories, expect sensational accounts, which forces Krebs to lie to be heard. This dishonesty conflicts with his need for authenticity, a key trait of Hemingway's "Lost Generation" characters. Thus, Krebs chooses silence to maintain his integrity, even as he struggles with the pressures of conforming to societal expectations.

Harold Krebs feels emotionally isolated from girls upon returning from World War I, as he finds the effort required to engage with them too complicated and not worth the trouble. Disillusioned by his war experiences, he prefers simplicity and authenticity, avoiding the "intrigue and politics" of dating. Observing but not interacting with girls, he remains detached, content with solitude, as he cannot relate to their world, which contrasts sharply with his wartime experiences.

"Soldier's Home" illustrates the profound impact of war on young veterans, exemplified by Harold Krebs who returns home struggling with disillusionment and alienation. The war's horrors leave him disengaged and unwilling to face life's responsibilities, contrasting sharply with his peers. This reflects the theme that war can irreversibly alter young individuals, making it impossible for them to reintegrate into their pre-war lives and values, as suggested by Thomas Wolfe's idea that "you can't go home again."

Krebs avoids discussing the battles of Belleau Wood, Soissons, Champagne, St. Mihiel, and the Argonne due to the townspeople's disinterest and his own possible PTSD. The community has moved on from the war, leaving Krebs without an audience for his stories. Additionally, his reluctance may stem from trauma, as PTSD can cause withdrawal, negative thoughts, and a loss of interest in previously meaningful activities, hindering his ability to talk about his experiences.

Krebs' inability to pray with his mother in "Soldier's Home" is directly connected to his war experience, which has left him emotionally detached and spiritually disillusioned. The trauma and disillusionment of combat have eroded his faith, making it difficult for him to engage in acts of devotion or find solace in religion.