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(Wake Island burning after American bomb attacks)
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After the American victory at Wake Island, many of the crew members become convinced that the war will end shortly and that it will be easy to defeat the rest of the Japanese. Louie is not as convinced of an easy and early win. One member, however, "predicted that Japan might be finished within the year, and Phil overheard men talking about going home" (Hillenbrand 81). Many of the members are taking a positive outlook on their position in the war. These Americans have a notable amount of hope, but they are also mistaken for thinking that winning the war will be an easy tasks. Most of the men are ignorant of how difficult it will be to achieve that. While it is good that the men show signs of having an incredible amount of hope, I wonder if their hope will begin to fade away as the war drags on, and they realize that fighting in a war is not as easy as they originally expected? Do you think it is better to be more aware of the actual reality of the war like Louie or to build a massive amount of hope and optimism like some of the other members do?
I definitely think hope begins to fade as the war drags on. It is everyone's job to pick one another up when this happens.The light becomes smaller as they move deeper into the war and endure more obstacles. I also think it is better to be aware of the reality of the war compared to having more optimism. However, I do think you need that optimism as a way to keep battling and not giving up. If you had no hope, then what are you doing? There should be a good balance between reality, optimism, and hope. I think Louie has this balance.
ReplyDeleteThe optimism of an easy wins definitely fades as the book continues. Louie notes that men just keep dying. His roommates and the people living next to him seem to die one after another and the deaths don't stop. Once Japan follows the attack at Wake Island with an attack of their own I think the men realize that a victory will not be easy. I disagree however, that Louie truly sees the reality of war. I think he recognizes that the victory will not be easy, but he is still confident that the US will win. In addition, when Louie and Phil are missing on the raft after the plane crash, they are both confident that they will live and be rescued. They picture and discuss their futures which is an act that may be considered one of false hope. I think it is okay to have a massive amount of hope because that is what keeps you going in a situation like war. Without hope you may be tempted to give up so it may not always be a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI think I agree more with Kazi that Louie has a good balance of reality hope and optimism. He is able to realize that at any moment his life could be over or that his plane could be lost like many of the others. and also realizes that things are not going to just happen or come easy. But he also is very optimistic and confident that the United States will win, as Claire sated before. But I also agree with Claire that the hope is what keeps them going in a situation like war. If the don't believe that they will survive I believe their chances of surviving are much less than if they believe that they will. I think its all about how a person looks at a situation.
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