The Theme Of Loss Of Innocence In Two Soldiers

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Chelsea Hong
Ms Sims
ENG 3UI
16 January 2015 Loss of Innocence and Maturity in The Wars by Timothy Findley and William Faulkner’s “Two Soldiers” Innocence is often lost in childhood. Maturity is gained through experience which takes time. This idea is featured in The Wars by Timothy Findley, and in William Faulkner’s “Two Soldiers.” In the “Two Soldiers” the young boy is unnamed. Faulkner wants all readers to relate to the character. Timothy Findley names his protagonist but also reveals how his innocence is eroded during war. Both authors focus on maturity through adversity as innocence is lost in wartime environments, which changes the heroes’ lives forever.

To grow mentally and emotionally the central characters lose their innocence. …show more content…

Robert and the young boy learn more lessons as they continue. Their results show that maturity is an ongoing process. People grow emotionally, and mentally throughout their lives. When there are hundreds of horses stuck in an abandoned train, Robert tries to free them. When the soldiers try to catch Robert, he shoots at them. Therefore, Major Mickle commands his men to set the barn, that Robert is in, on fire. Robert is badly burned and soon arrested. The hospital’s prognosis is dire. One of the hospital staff explains Roberts condition: “…there was virtually no hope that he would ever walk or see or be capable of judgment again” (Findley 195). Although Robert learns how to protect others he is incapable of protecting himself. This suggests that he acts immaturely because he fails to consider the consequences in advance. Robert is never fully mature which ultimately brings about his death. This is mirrored in the young boy’s life. After the incident at the camp, a soldier gives him a ride. The boy thinks to himself: “I begun to cry. I never knowed I was fixing to, and I couldn't stop it. I set there by that soldier, crying. We was going too fast,” (Faulkner 46). The boy realizes that he is not equipped for maturity; there are many more experiences yet to come. He gains some self-control and experience but faces up to the fact that he is a child. This disappoints him. He mentions that they are going fast; he is distracted from his purpose. The passage indicates that it is only about him again. He is not concerned about his brother as much. Both characters lapse into immaturity; it is part of the

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