The Thin Red Line Essay Research Paper

freeze up he presses himself on and on.

In the middle of the novel, a great role of sacrifice

and cunning is played. Captain James Stein shows a major

amount of intelligence and persistence as he refuses orders

from his superiors. “I will not drive my men to suicide,”

he retires and pulls out of command. His decision to

disobey orders makes him risk his job and life to save his

men. His emotional stability adds comfort to those around

him making easier times. He tries dreadfully hard to keep

everyone together to pull through to destroy the enemy

bunker. He uses all he’s got with low water supplies and

eyes shutting from exhaustion. Even when he’s dismissed he

remains close to his army “as they are my sons”. He carries

them with him always. His fearlessness and encouragement

will live on in all of the men, even in his absence.

As the war stretches on, the men stretch on, so does

their need for stability and strength, emotionally and

physically. “Who lit this flame in us, the war can put it

out…” “…I was a prisoner, but it set me free,” Private

John cries out. He displays his time of glory and truth as

he runs ahead. He peeks through the tall grasses, and is

the first, on his own, to see the enemy bunker. His thirst

for victory drives him to lead men in beating down the enemy

lines. If he had not kept calm and instead had allowed his

emotions to get the better of him through the field of death

they wouldn’t have conquered the Japanese. Fight or be

beaten down, “don’t lose what’s the good in us, touch the

glory…” His courage was admired even by his superiors.

What he did took great self-confidence and will power.

In conclusion, the expression of loyalty to country and

strong hearts is continued in each page. In the theme “only

the courageous and emotionally strong-willed survive” true

bravery is defined. Each surviving man’s composure and guts

lives through them especially at the hardest times. To

exist is to suffer.