Different Sides Same Blood Quotes

Different sides, Same Blood

Nobel Prize Nominee, G. K. Chesterton, presents us with an idea that illustrates an essential aspect of war; the motivations of soldiers. Such motivations are frequently overlooked or perverted. In this quote, "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." The quote defines the motives of soldiers in war, which is easily paralleled to Code Talkers by Joseph Bruchac. The protagonist of the book Ned Begay is a Navajo code talker for the U. S Navy. His allies are constantly dying around him. Despite this, he bears no ill will towards the enemy soldiers; understanding that just like him, they have to fight out of a desire to protect not harm. Quite contrary

The government does things like this frequently during war, deceiving their citizens for their benefit. Manipulating their desire to protect their people to get them to enlist, a desire shared by soldiers on both sides. Thus, through the lens of this quote, the motives of soldiers have been to not harm others as portrayed by egregious governments, but to protect something.

Code Talkers magnifies the true desires of a soldier. Doing so by displaying World War 2 through the eyes of Navajo Navy Code Talker Ned Begay. Through him, we see throughout the book how American soldiers feel toward their enemies. Evidently, seen through a quote from a marine upon seeing Japanese prisoners, “They were pathetic, small men who looked lost and sad. Not monsters at all” (Bruchac 97). Pathetic and lost men; Are these words used to describe those you hate, despise, and desire nothing more for them but the destruction of their people? No, they charter such

It details a republican engaging in a skirmish with another sniper. Where he narrowly kills his enemy but when inspecting the enemy's body it turns out to be his brother. This connects with the message from Code Talkers of soldiers wanting to protect not harm. He ended up killing his brother because of the war. The same war he despises and curses as seen in this quote “cursing the war, cursing himself, cursing everybody”(O’Hearly 2). To further add onto this, this was after seeing his enemy's body fall to the ground. From this, it's explicit that even before knowing it was his brother's body, he still hated that he had to commit this act. As shown by how he curses himself along with war. He despises himself just as he does the war. Signifying that he doesn’t relish in death, that he detests the war. But has to fight to protect something. Whether it be ideals, morals, or perhaps simply by a dastardly twist of fate he wanted to protect his family. Indistinguishable from the Japanese soldiers on Okinawa mentioned in Code Talkers. Tricked and indoctrinated into believing that fighting and dying in the battle was the only way to protect their families. They were made to laid down their lives, as is communicated by this quote “Their warrior's code of Bushido required them to always follow five rules of combat. 1. Obey without question or hesitation [...], 5. Never surrender”( Soldiers weren’t allowed to