It is ironic that Leper is the first boy to enlist because all of his actions leading up to this point have not suggested that he is at all interested in the war. In the previous chapters, Leper has been an outsider, going on walks and “just touring around” (Knowles 94) on his skis while the other boys shoveled snow off train tracks. He seemed to just do his own thing most of the time, an outsider who had no interest in war. When he sees the video of the skiers, which is propaganda made for convincing people to join the war effort, he “sat still, amazed” (Knowles 124). This is in sharp contrast to his idea from an earlier chapter that skiing is for “useful locomotion” (Knowles 94). He seems drawn by the idea that there was “nothing tainted” (Knowles 124). Because Leper was seen as an outsider who preferred to do his own thing, it was surprising and ironic when his classmates found out he had enlisted.
I agree with Katherine that it is very iconic that Leper was one of the first to enlist because he didn't seem to have interest in the war. People at Devon would also think that a person like Brinker would be someone to join first because of his bravery, not a quiet and peaceful person like Leper. "Touring. It's the way you get around the countryside in the winter. Touring skiing" (Knowles 94). As you can see Leper loves to explore nature and doesn't talk much about the war.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katherine that Leper being the first boy to enlist was both surprising and ironic. The book make it apparent that Leper was a nice, pacifistic boy that didn't seem to have any interest in joining the war. However, after watching the video about the skiers, that all changed. This shows how the government can use propaganda to trick the youth into enlisting. The government painted a picture of an easy, colorful war that could be easily won. However, many people who went out to fight in the war came back broken, like how Leper did. During Genes conversation with Leper in chapter 10, it becomes quite apparent that Leper isn't the same person he used to be. On page 146, his mom says, "Well, good heaven, the boy is ill"(Knowles, 146) All of this is very ironic and sad, as the most innocent of the boys at Devon became the first to be affected by the horrors of the war.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katherine that it is ironic and weird that Leper was the first to enlist. The things he does and the way he carries himself would make people doubt that he would be the first to enlist. He doesn't show any interest in the war, and he would be one of the last people I would expect to enlist nevermind first to do so. Like Alexa said you would think someone Brinker would be first. Someone who shows an interest in war and someone who looks like they can fit in war. Someone who is brave. Also like Graham said it is crazy how the government could turn someone like Leper to have interest in the war and to enlist. They false advertise war in a way to interest people or to give them some sort of excitement. They try to make it seem good.
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