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In Pirandello's "War," what are the different views that passengers articulate regarding war?

In Pirandello's "War," the different attitudes that the passengers articulate about war reflect the challenge of enduring it.


When the man and wife enter the train, they sit amongst the other passengers. The wife does not want to interact with anyone. As a result, the husband feels it is his responsibility to explain to the other passengers the source of her dejection. The other passengers do not express solidarity or support. One passenger talks about his son, who has been on the front since "the first day of the war." His view towards war is that it creates an unending sense of loss in the people who must see their loved ones sacrifice for it. This prevents him from fully identifying with the couple's predicament.


When the fat traveller enters the train, he speaks of another view towards war. He talks about how "good boys" willingly sacrifice for their country.  The fat man talks about how love of parents is secondary when a country calls for a young soldier.  He uses his own son as an example to prove his point:  



Everyone should stop crying; everyone should laugh, as I do. . . or at least thank God—as I do—because my son, before dying, sent me a message saying that he was dying satisfied at having ended his life in the best way he could have wished.



This reveals another view towards war.


The passengers espouse different views towards war. Hurt exists alongside valor and sacrifice. These reactions reflect how people react in different ways towards the war experience.

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