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The conflict in Gods and Generals has developed since the last post. There's not much besides conflict to write about, this far in the book. As soon as a good opportunity arrives to do anything else, I'll oblige.
The conflict remains mostly external, being a novel on the Civil War. At around 25% through the book, the opening shots of the Civil War are just about to start, at Fort Sumter. Robert E. Lee is at the office of the aging General Winfield Scott. Scott is giving Lee the situation after he was relieved from duty in Texas. "'[President Lincoln] knows this?' 'Of course. This is his game: politics. The army can't fire the first shot, and so far, nothing violent has happened.' 'But General, if the fort is fired on, the army will respond. They will have to.'...'Colonel Lee, there is a great deal more at stake here than honor.'" (Shaara 100-101) The country is holding its breath; everyone knows that there will definitely be fighting. There is already a rebellion, there was already the John Brown incident, and there was already the highly controversial election and ideals of Lincoln. Now, everyone is waiting for someone to fire. And we, today, in 2014, know that there will be plenty of blood spilled. This tragic story continues to The Killer Angels, with the Battle of Gettysburg, where Colonel Lee is General Lee, and had aged considerably.
The external conflict is bound to happen, considering the circumstances that 1800's America's populace found themselves in. "Who knows, Colonel -- moral outragem the love of country [...] People like to get inflamed, get their dander up, and the problem is, it's too easy. It's too easy to make up a speech in New York and scream about killing rebels when you don't have to look 'em in the eye. Hell, Colonel, you've seen men die. It's not something to get fired up to enjoy.' [...] '...men who just want to fight, to strike out at something, you can see it in their eyes.'" (Shaara 99) People on both sides of America are a powder barrel, and the sparks are about to shine. People in the 1800's are eagerly awaiting blood to be spilled, and those not aquainted with war do not realize the regret they will feel.
Another conflict is the internal conflict of Lee. (He's getting a lot of attention, I know. He's probably going to be the main character out of the four main characters.) Lee's internal conflict this time is not about slavery of others but his own state. Lee aligns himself with the South, yet his homeland is Virginia. Lee wishes not to fire upon his home state, should the time come. Although Virginia isn't necessarily a Northern state (there was slavery in Virginia), there was no talk of secession as there was in places like Texas and South Carolina. And this Civil War was the Union against the Confederacy, those who seceeded and those who didn't...although it basically turns out to also be who allows slavery and who doesn't. Secession started with Lincoln's policies of no slavery. Those who seceeded were upset; their way of life was threatened, and they were scared of losing it. So they seceeded and the war started.
Lee may align himself with the South, but also believes in emancipation. He is split between two ideals. "'I believe in emancipation, but I believe it is ultimately in God's hands. I do not agree with the radicals of the deep South. And, I must say, General, I also do not agree with the talk in the North, the calls for radical aboltion....'" (Shaara 98) Lee is more of a neutral figure within the war, but knows he must pick a side soon.
The external conflict is bound to happen, considering the circumstances that 1800's America's populace found themselves in. "Who knows, Colonel -- moral outragem the love of country [...] People like to get inflamed, get their dander up, and the problem is, it's too easy. It's too easy to make up a speech in New York and scream about killing rebels when you don't have to look 'em in the eye. Hell, Colonel, you've seen men die. It's not something to get fired up to enjoy.' [...] '...men who just want to fight, to strike out at something, you can see it in their eyes.'" (Shaara 99) People on both sides of America are a powder barrel, and the sparks are about to shine. People in the 1800's are eagerly awaiting blood to be spilled, and those not aquainted with war do not realize the regret they will feel.
Another conflict is the internal conflict of Lee. (He's getting a lot of attention, I know. He's probably going to be the main character out of the four main characters.) Lee's internal conflict this time is not about slavery of others but his own state. Lee aligns himself with the South, yet his homeland is Virginia. Lee wishes not to fire upon his home state, should the time come. Although Virginia isn't necessarily a Northern state (there was slavery in Virginia), there was no talk of secession as there was in places like Texas and South Carolina. And this Civil War was the Union against the Confederacy, those who seceeded and those who didn't...although it basically turns out to also be who allows slavery and who doesn't. Secession started with Lincoln's policies of no slavery. Those who seceeded were upset; their way of life was threatened, and they were scared of losing it. So they seceeded and the war started.
Lee may align himself with the South, but also believes in emancipation. He is split between two ideals. "'I believe in emancipation, but I believe it is ultimately in God's hands. I do not agree with the radicals of the deep South. And, I must say, General, I also do not agree with the talk in the North, the calls for radical aboltion....'" (Shaara 98) Lee is more of a neutral figure within the war, but knows he must pick a side soon.
Hey David!
ReplyDeleteI really like this blog post. I am not really into these kinds of books in general, but you made the book sound good! I would work on developing your voice a little more throughout your blog posts. Other than that, really good!
I liked how you talked about the different types of conflicts rather than focusing on one the whole post. I think if you added more voice, it would sound absolutely amazing. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great analysis of conflict! I really enjoyed your blog post. I love reading historical fiction, so I will definitely give this book a try. Thanks!
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