War In 'My Brother Sam Is Dead'

The world has been prospering from war for a long time. But, we do not always see the problems it causes. For instance, it tears families apart, it clashes generations, and finally it shows us principal versus reality. So, if war brings more bad things than good it defeats the purpose of even having a war in the first place. The authors of My Brother Sam is Dead also feels that war is pointless and unnecessary. War would be considered futile for many reasons including the fact that it splits families up. “Get out. And don’t come back until you come dressed as my son, not as a stranger.” (Collier and Collier 22). This quote from the book is representing how war split the Meeker family up. If it was not for the war Sam and Mr. Meeker would not

“You don’t understand, father, you just don’t understand. If they won’t let us be free, we have to fight.” (Collier and Collier 7). This quote is Sam telling his father that the Patriots are right and that he wants to go fight for them. The war was making this thing happen a lot. The older generation with more experience is on the Red Coats team since they do not like fighting in the first place. The older generation has been to war and knows how bad and dreadful it is to see all the people die. While the younger generation is excited to fight not knowing what is to come. “In war, the dead pay the debts of the living.” (Collier and Collier 167). This was said by Mr. Meeker showing how he felt that in war people had to die just to teach the living a lesson. This again is showing that Mr. Meeker the older generation disagreed with Sam Meeker the younger generation. War has a result of a Clash of generations which makes war unworth

“Sir, It’s worth dying to be free.” “That made Father shout.” “Free? Free to do what, Sam? Free to mock your king? To shoot your neighbor?To make a mess out of thousands of lives? Where have you been getting these ideas?” (Collier and Collier 7). Sam’s idea or “principle” is to be free without realising the reality like Mr. Meeker describes that freedom is not really a good thing. In fact, Sam’s idea of freedom is actually killing and disorder. Sam has to face his principal of everyone being free and getting what they want with the reality that life does not have true freedom. “It’s not the money, it’s the principle” “Principal, Sam? You may know principle, Sam but I know war. Have you ever seen a dear friend lying in the grass with the top of his skull off and his brains sliding out of them like wet oats? Have you ever looked into the eyes of a man with his throat cut and the blood pouring out between his fingers, knowing that there was nothing he could do, in five minutes he would be dead, yet still trying to beg for grace and not being able because his wind pipe was cut in two? Have you ever heard a man shriek when he felt a bayonet go through the middle of his back? I have, Sam, I have.” (Collier and Collier 21). This quote is Mr. Meeker explaining to Sam that war is not just all fun and you win with no cost. War really is if you win then people die, if you lose