First Death Themes
Dedication to Serve
Robert Cormier’s novel, After the First Death is filled with many themes and messages. Cormier attempts to relate the characters, although radically different on the surface, to common themes. The reader bears witness to Cormier developing the radically different characters in high tension environments to result in witnessing their most intimate motivation as human beings. The most prominent theme that results, patriotism, is most prominently emphasized with the characters of Ben, General Briggs, and Artkin.
Regardless of the mental trials Ben progresses through, he is still immensely patriotic. Ben is extremely committed to serving his country on the bridge, to his maximum capacity. When the Freedom Fighters torture Ben …show more content…
to try and get information about the plan of the American Government, Miro is “surprised that the boy had resisted that long a time” (Cormier 205). Ben resists divulging critical information regardless of torture, to his maximum capacity in the name of his country. Furthermore, Ben’s extreme depression and the reason he was so depressed was his impression that he had acted as a coward. We learn through General Brigg’s projection of his son that Ben could not tolerate “knowing what [he] had done [.]Knowing that [his] cowardice had served [his] country.”(Cormier 227). Ben was extremely patriotic to his country, and the fact that the thought of disappointing his country bothered him so much, shows great devotion to his country. Regardless that he said it in his father’s imagination, it is still nearly certain that Ben would be thinking this since his father said that he knew Ben thoroughly. Ben displays his attention towards his nation indirectly through Fort Delta to show his patriotism. When Ben meets with his father for the first time after the incident on the bus, the first thing he inquires “‘Was Inner Delta saved?’ ” (Cormier 84). The fact that Ben’s mind wonders directly towards the status of his country shows great passion. All in all, Ben displays patriotism time and time again.
General Briggs shows great patriotism in his actions throughout the novel. General Briggs is determined to do whatever it takes for him to save his country. Artkin thinks that the General is either, “a great patriot, or a great fool” (Cormier, 192). The General is extremely devoted to his country, so much so that he is willing to put anything and everything on the line to contribute to his country. Secondly, Ben’s father was willing to put his life, and his education on the line to be a patriot. General Briggs dropped his entire education and comfort, “in a wave of patriotism” (Cormier, 134) to serve his country when the Second World War broke out. Briggs knows that he may not survive, but it is embedded in his character to do as much as he can do to serve his country. Lastly, General Briggs openly admits his patriotism when discussing his motivations of how he handled the bus incident. Briggs elaborates that he put his son on the line, “for my country, not for myself” (Cormier, 335). Throughout the novel we hear through different situations, and different characters that General Briggs’ primary motivation is serving his country, no matter whether it harms himself or those emotionally close to him. This takes great patriotism to act in this pattern.
Thirdly, Artkin is patriotic for not his country, but his homeland.
Artkin cares deeply about his country, and thoughts involving his country consistently linger on his mind. He barely reveals his core philosophy and raw emotion to Miro, but on a rare occasion, he admitted to his longing for his homeland and that he is “forever homesick” (Cormier 19). This is extremely significant since Artkin is never emotional, so that means that when he is, his emotion is completely candid and genuine, since it is so rare. This translates to Artkin being extremely committed to his homeland, and willing to serve it in whatever capacity he can, which translates to Artkin being a patriot. Artkin values his homeland over his life. He does not care whether he lives or dies and when discussing the situation on the bus, he is indifferent towards death since “‘to die in these circumstances is the best way to serve’ ” (Cormier 114).This devotion to put his country before his wellbeing shows great loyalty or patriotism. The fact that General Briggs and Artkin are able to connect on a personal level shows a very powerful level of patriotism. General Briggs and Artkin have never met, and possess no common set of characteristics, but regardless, General Briggs “knew exactly what lengths [Artkin] was willing to go.”(Cormier 193). If an observer can agree there is a connection between these individuals, they would realize that the only thing these characters share is being a leader in their nation’s respective line of command, and that must suggest that each man must possesses a very strong dedication towards each man’s respective country. It is extremely significant that Artkin’s patriotism is so incredibly powerful to create an understanding with a complete stranger. Artkin’s great importance to the Freedom Fighters’ mission shows that his patriotism is so powerful that it inspires others. He has been a powerful, forceful, committed leader of the Freedom Fighters that even Miro thinks
that they will “never win freedom of their homeland if men like Artkin died. The world would become meaningless without him.” (Cormier 114). Artkin is so incredibly patriotic that his patriotism is critical to the Freedom Fighters continuing the mission. This shows just how patriotic Artkin is. With the various evidence presented throughout the novel, it would be reasonable to conclude that Artkin is a very patriotic cause towards serving his country, or homeland.
Patriotism is a very powerful reoccurring theme in After the First Death. Patriotism is especially evident with Ben, Artkin, and General Briggs. Each character puts everything on the line to serve what in their view is the greater good. The broader motivation of serving a greater power, and contributing to a broader purpose can relate with all the characters in the novel. After witnessing so clearly the compelling effect one theme has on characters in After the First Death, one cannot help but wonder about the role common themes have on individuals in today’s society.
Robert Cormier’s novel, After the First Death is filled with many themes and messages. Cormier attempts to relate the characters, although radically different on the surface, to common themes. The reader bears witness to Cormier developing the radically different characters in high tension environments to result in witnessing their most intimate motivation as human beings. The most prominent theme that results, patriotism, is most prominently emphasized with the characters of Ben, General Briggs, and Artkin.
Regardless of the mental trials Ben progresses through, he is still immensely patriotic. Ben is extremely committed to serving his country on the bridge, to his maximum capacity. When the Freedom Fighters torture Ben …show more content…
to try and get information about the plan of the American Government, Miro is “surprised that the boy had resisted that long a time” (Cormier 205). Ben resists divulging critical information regardless of torture, to his maximum capacity in the name of his country. Furthermore, Ben’s extreme depression and the reason he was so depressed was his impression that he had acted as a coward. We learn through General Brigg’s projection of his son that Ben could not tolerate “knowing what [he] had done [.]Knowing that [his] cowardice had served [his] country.”(Cormier 227). Ben was extremely patriotic to his country, and the fact that the thought of disappointing his country bothered him so much, shows great devotion to his country. Regardless that he said it in his father’s imagination, it is still nearly certain that Ben would be thinking this since his father said that he knew Ben thoroughly. Ben displays his attention towards his nation indirectly through Fort Delta to show his patriotism. When Ben meets with his father for the first time after the incident on the bus, the first thing he inquires “‘Was Inner Delta saved?’ ” (Cormier 84). The fact that Ben’s mind wonders directly towards the status of his country shows great passion. All in all, Ben displays patriotism time and time again.
General Briggs shows great patriotism in his actions throughout the novel. General Briggs is determined to do whatever it takes for him to save his country. Artkin thinks that the General is either, “a great patriot, or a great fool” (Cormier, 192). The General is extremely devoted to his country, so much so that he is willing to put anything and everything on the line to contribute to his country. Secondly, Ben’s father was willing to put his life, and his education on the line to be a patriot. General Briggs dropped his entire education and comfort, “in a wave of patriotism” (Cormier, 134) to serve his country when the Second World War broke out. Briggs knows that he may not survive, but it is embedded in his character to do as much as he can do to serve his country. Lastly, General Briggs openly admits his patriotism when discussing his motivations of how he handled the bus incident. Briggs elaborates that he put his son on the line, “for my country, not for myself” (Cormier, 335). Throughout the novel we hear through different situations, and different characters that General Briggs’ primary motivation is serving his country, no matter whether it harms himself or those emotionally close to him. This takes great patriotism to act in this pattern.
Thirdly, Artkin is patriotic for not his country, but his homeland.
Artkin cares deeply about his country, and thoughts involving his country consistently linger on his mind. He barely reveals his core philosophy and raw emotion to Miro, but on a rare occasion, he admitted to his longing for his homeland and that he is “forever homesick” (Cormier 19). This is extremely significant since Artkin is never emotional, so that means that when he is, his emotion is completely candid and genuine, since it is so rare. This translates to Artkin being extremely committed to his homeland, and willing to serve it in whatever capacity he can, which translates to Artkin being a patriot. Artkin values his homeland over his life. He does not care whether he lives or dies and when discussing the situation on the bus, he is indifferent towards death since “‘to die in these circumstances is the best way to serve’ ” (Cormier 114).This devotion to put his country before his wellbeing shows great loyalty or patriotism. The fact that General Briggs and Artkin are able to connect on a personal level shows a very powerful level of patriotism. General Briggs and Artkin have never met, and possess no common set of characteristics, but regardless, General Briggs “knew exactly what lengths [Artkin] was willing to go.”(Cormier 193). If an observer can agree there is a connection between these individuals, they would realize that the only thing these characters share is being a leader in their nation’s respective line of command, and that must suggest that each man must possesses a very strong dedication towards each man’s respective country. It is extremely significant that Artkin’s patriotism is so incredibly powerful to create an understanding with a complete stranger. Artkin’s great importance to the Freedom Fighters’ mission shows that his patriotism is so powerful that it inspires others. He has been a powerful, forceful, committed leader of the Freedom Fighters that even Miro thinks
that they will “never win freedom of their homeland if men like Artkin died. The world would become meaningless without him.” (Cormier 114). Artkin is so incredibly patriotic that his patriotism is critical to the Freedom Fighters continuing the mission. This shows just how patriotic Artkin is. With the various evidence presented throughout the novel, it would be reasonable to conclude that Artkin is a very patriotic cause towards serving his country, or homeland.
Patriotism is a very powerful reoccurring theme in After the First Death. Patriotism is especially evident with Ben, Artkin, and General Briggs. Each character puts everything on the line to serve what in their view is the greater good. The broader motivation of serving a greater power, and contributing to a broader purpose can relate with all the characters in the novel. After witnessing so clearly the compelling effect one theme has on characters in After the First Death, one cannot help but wonder about the role common themes have on individuals in today’s society.