Some 'Articles of War' novels depict the military justice system as strict and unforgiving. For example, in a story, a soldier might be court - martialled quickly for disobeying an order, even if the order seemed unjust to the soldier. The novels often show that the military justice system has its own set of rules and procedures that are different from civilian justice.
Military strategy fantasy novels usually depict leadership in war in various ways. Some leaders are born into power, like in 'The Lord of the Rings' with Aragorn. He has to step up and lead the forces of good. His leadership is based on his noble lineage as well as his ability to make smart military decisions. He unites different races under his banner, which is a sign of great leadership. Other times, leaders rise from the ranks, like in 'The Wheel of Time', where Rand al'Thor starts as a simple shepherd and becomes a great military leader. He has to learn how to command armies and outwit his enemies.
Many American Civil War novels depict the war through the eyes of soldiers. For example, in 'The Red Badge of Courage', the main character's experiences, from his initial fear to his later moments of courage, show the reality of war for the common soldier. It shows how war can be chaotic and how it changes a person.
In 'fortunes of war novels', the human experience in war is depicted through the loss of innocence. Soldiers go into war with certain ideals, but the brutality they face strips away that innocence. Also, the relationships between characters are strained and changed. Friendships are tested, and new bonds are formed out of necessity. Moreover, the physical and mental toll of war is shown. Characters may be injured or suffer from post - traumatic stress, which are all aspects of the complex human experience in war.
They depict it as a system that tears the community apart. For instance, when a young African American male is wrongly convicted, it leaves his family broken and the community in shock. This is seen in various novels where the unjust incarceration of a community member has far - reaching negative impacts on the whole neighborhood.
Futuristic war novels often depict technology as highly advanced. For example, in 'Ender's Game', there are advanced battle simulators that can create realistic combat scenarios. In 'The Forever War', there's the use of FTL (faster - than - light) travel technology which affects the nature of the war. They might also show weapons like energy - based guns or powerful exoskeletons for soldiers to enhance their combat abilities.
Some Korean War novels like 'Pork Chop Hill' show the soldiers' sense of duty and loyalty. The soldiers in the story fight bravely even in the face of overwhelming odds. They are determined to hold their positions and complete their missions. This reflects the real - life soldiers' commitment during the Korean War, where they fought for their countries and for their comrades.
Novels often show women as either victims or survivors. For instance, in many stories, women are taken as captives during the war, like Briseis. They have no say in their fate initially but later find ways to assert some form of agency.
Fantasy war novels usually depict heroism in multiple ways. Firstly, heroes are shown as having exceptional skills, whether it's in combat, magic, or leadership. They lead their troops into battle against overwhelming odds. Secondly, their moral compass guides them. They fight for justice and the protection of the innocent. For instance, in 'The Lord of the Rings', Frodo's heroism lies not only in his physical journey to destroy the ring but also in his ability to resist the ring's corrupting power, which is a more internal form of heroism. Thirdly, heroes are often the ones who can unite different groups. They bridge gaps between races or factions in times of war, like Aragorn in 'The Lord of the Rings' who brings together men, elves, and dwarves.
They often show the human spirit as indomitable. In these novels, prisoners of war keep their hope alive despite the dire circumstances. For example, in 'The Great Escape', the prisoners never stop planning their escape, which shows their determination to regain freedom.
Well, in 'the great war stories', we see that civilians' mental states were severely affected. The constant fear, the loss of loved ones, and the destruction around them led to trauma. Women had to take on new roles as men went off to war, and children grew up in an environment of uncertainty and danger. Civilians also had to deal with the influx of refugees in their areas, which put a strain on already scarce resources.