The Conscript Reaction Paper Essay Example
The Conscript Reaction Paper Essay Example

The Conscript Reaction Paper Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (598 words)
  • Published: February 3, 2018
  • Type: Essay
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According to Hall, Adequate had aspirations of becoming a hero by going to war, possibly influenced by the Habeas chiefs who despised idleness after a short respite from fighting. However, the war rumors turned out to be just that, and the Libya war was a horrendous experience for the conscripts and their families. Hall accurately depicts the war and successfully elicits sympathy for Adequate and his family, while also providing crucial details about the war.

Throughout the novel, Hall portrays the Italians as looking down on the conscripts and treating them cruelly, like dogs. The mistreatment began early on when the Italians forcefully separated the conscripts from their families without allowing them proper goodbyes. This inhumane act shows how little the Italians cared about their emotions toward conscripts. Additionally, conscripts were forced to walk on b

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urning sands without shoes, which led to foot injuries. They slept in open air while the Italians luxuriated in domineering tents. Despite having to fight alongside conscripts, it was unexpected that the Italians would treat them poorly.The conscripts being worn out from days of walking made them too weak to fight effectively in the war, which evoked sympathy in the readers towards Adequate and the other conscripts. Throughout the book, Hall never mentioned the conscripts' battle training, thereby highlighting their inexperience going into a war that wasn't even theirs. Additionally, unfamiliar terrain further disadvantaged these soldiers, and their Habeas cultural beliefs exacerbated their mistreatment at the hands of the Italians. The Habeas believed that the Italians were superior to them, further contributing to their ill treatment. Several references to God appear in the novel, such as Toucan's

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mother praying to spare him and Tea naming Adequate "God's gift" - indicating that Adequate and his family are pious people.The concept of God-fearing individuals engaging in warfare or killing others can be confusing. This goes against Adequate’s beliefs, further solidifying why he should not have gone to war. Leaving his family to join the war had detrimental effects on his well-being and that of his parents. His absence caused “darkness” within the household as he was the source of happiness for his parents. However, Adequate did not even benefit from the experience of going to war; he suffered throughout with long walks and scarce water, being treated poorly by the Italians while leaving behind a comfortable lifestyle with loving parents and readily available food and rest. The worst consequences of his departure were on his parents who constantly worried about him, leading to the mother’s death foreshadowed by her fainting when he left. Moreover, the fact that Adequate fought for another country rather than his own adds to the folly of his decision to leave for war.According to his own words, Adequate has regretted his decision to go to war, acknowledging that he must endure the consequences of his choice. In my view, Adequate's decision to join the military was pointless and unsuccessful since he was unable to attain his ambition of becoming a hero. The Conscript is a captivating historical novel that illuminates the struggles of the Habeas under Italian rule. Hail's vivid portrayal of the conscripts' hardships on their journey to battle captivates readers' attention and bolsters the novel's narrative. Adequate, who is portrayed by Hail as an ordinary person capable of

demonstrating kindness, compassion, and regret, is relatable to readers. The Conscript offers a unique perspective on African history beyond what regular textbooks provide, making it a compelling literary work. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in contemporary African writing.

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