Paths Of Glory Analysis

In his 1944 speech to the 23rd Republican National Convention, President Herbert Hoover said, “Old men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die”(1). Though President Hoover was speaking of the casualties of World War II, the same reigns true for World War I. Paths of Glory is film centered on the loss of honor found in the higher ranks of the French army during World War I. It is the story of young men dying for old men’s war. Most of all, the story from Paths of Glory is that honor is not found by rank, but by values, even if it is lost by higher command. Throughout the movie, those in higher command see the path of glory as that of rank, not honor, this is exemplifled in General Mireau, Lieutenant Roget, and General Broulard. General Mireau only agrees to take the

He places the lives of his men in danger because he values rank more than his men, and when it becomes apparent that his men can not win he declares, “If those little sweethearts won’t face German bullets, they’ll face French ones”(2). At the loss of the battle, General Mireau places the loss of the battle on his soldiers, calling them cowards. To save his own hide, he allows three innocent men to be tried, convicted, and shot for the sake of his perceived glory. Of all the characters, that which displays the most cowardice in their path to glory, is Lieutenant Roget. Not only does he run from the enemy, but when it comes time to choose which of his men are to die for General Miraue, Lieutenant Roget selects the one man that could call out his own cowardice, Corporal Paris. Lieutenant Roget knows his actions would lead to a brave man’s death, but to keep his rank, he allows Corporal Paris to

While the first may lead to notoriety and wealth, it is those who walk the second that will be remembered as