The Theme Of Loss Of Innocence In Two Soldiers

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.

Young Robert Ross feels responsible for his hydrocephalic sister, Rowena. Because of Robert’s indiscreet behaviour, Rowena dies: “It was Robert’s fault; Robert was her guardian and he was locked in his bedroom” (Findley 16). She represents purity and innocence. When Robert is suddenly ripped from that innocence connection it leaves him feeling confused, distraught and guilty. His last connection ends when Robert witness her rabbits’ murder. Her passing motivates Robert to start being a man by acting responsibly. Faulkner’s young boy loses his innocence more abruptly when his older brother, Pete, joins the army. The young boy now learns about the war. His little brother wonders about that decision: “I still couldn’t understand where [Pacific Ocean, place of war] was,” (Faulkner, 35). His lack of knowledge reveals his naiveté. The child realizes that he needs to open his eyes to reality. Both authors take the same approach in seeing the protagonists face adversity.

Robert and the young boy mature by overcoming the issues they encounter. Robert enlists in World War One, where soldiers are attacked by gas. None of the men has a mask. Robert, however, remembers that ammonia neutralizes chlorine. He commands his men to urinate on a piece of cloth then use it as a mask. “‘Put your mask on, Corporal Bates’ ” (Findley 123). Robert learns how to protect himself and others. His strategy is successful and shows that he is maturing and demonstrating a sense of responsibility. In comparison, the little boy leaves his house alone to join his brother, and the army. When he arrives in Memphis, he asks where he can enlist. Then the people starts attacking the young boy. He says: “One of the other fellers grabbed me from behind, and I hit at him with the knife, but I couldn’t reach him,” (Faulkner 43). The boy uses a pocket-knife to defend himself. He quickly understands the world in ugly, new ways. This situation shows he is maturing and portraits a sense of protection. Both characters come upon challenges that alter their perception of the world and their roles in it.

It is difficult to mature based on one incident alone.

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

journey.

Innocence is lost through experience but maturity is difficult to find. Robert and the young boy lose their innocence early and search for ways to overcome it. Although they face tough issues they cannot grow up overnight. Therefore, maturity should not be hurried. It needs to be a process that is enjoyed slowly and over a long term. Work Cited
Faulkner, William. “Two Soldiers”. Toronto: The Canadian Publishers, 1998. Print
Findley, Timothy. The Wars. Toronto: Penguin Group, 2005. Print