Nisar 1

Ummay Hani Nisar

Dr. Shaheena Ayub Bhatti

War and Literature

Wars are Seething Struggles, Not Object Lessons

Haruki Murakami says in his novel: "Listen up - there's no war that will end all wars”

(2002). The beginning of a war suggests the grave reality of another war and this war translates

into the next one. As the language of one war seeps into the following war, even though people

know that the imitations and stories of war may not be true. Resemblance between the actual

events and then their descriptions may not be uncanny. Therefore, wars are seething struggles,

not object lessons. This statement is taken from an article “Literature of the Forever War”,

authored by Elizabeth D. Samet published in New York Times in 2016. In addition to this, the

very statement has been used in Samet’s book Looking for the Good War: American Amnesia

and the Violent pursuit of Happiness that was made public to the readers in 2021. She is not only

a literature professor but also taught soldiers of a military institute who were going to participate

in war. This book was influenced by her time there.

In the context of war, "seething struggles" refers to the intense and fierce nature of

conflicts, marked by a boiling undercurrent of complex emotions, violence, and turmoil. It

suggests that wars are not simply isolated events, but ongoing struggles that penetrate deep into

the fabric of society, leaving lasting scars and profound impacts. The term "seething" conveys

the notion of an intense simmering or brewing, reflecting the deep emotions and passions that

drive individuals and nations engaged in war. These emotions can include anger, fear,

desperation, and a myriad of other intense feelings that fuel conflict. Furthermore, "seething

struggles" implies that wars are not static or isolated incidents, but rather dynamic and
 Nisar 2

continuously evolving struggles. They involve multiple parties with conflicting interests,

profound power dynamics, and ever-changing battlefronts. These struggles are often

characterized by a web of complex causes and motivations, such as political ideologies, resource

disputes, territorial claims, or disputes over identity or beliefs. As the term "seething" suggests,

the nature of these struggles can be tumultuous, chaotic, and unpredictable. They can result in

far-reaching consequences, including loss of life, displacement of populations, destruction of

infrastructure, and the long-term social, economic, and psychological effects felt by generations

to come.

Wars does not provide object lessons suggests that the lessons learned from one war

cannot be applied directly to another. This is because each war is unique and has its own set of

circumstances and factors that contribute to its outcome. While history can provide valuable

insights and guidance, it is important to approach each war with an open mind and a willingness

to adapt to the situation at hand. It is also important to keep in mind that war is a complex and

often unpredictable phenomenon, and there are no easy solutions or quick fixes. Therefore, it is

crucial to gain a deep understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities that each war

presents, rather than simply relying on past experiences. By doing so, we can increase our

chances of achieving a successful outcome and minimizing the costs and consequences of war.

Ultimately, the phrase reminds us that we must be cautious in our approach to war and be

prepared to learn and adapt as we navigate the challenges and complexities of conflict.

It is a sad reality that humanity has been plagued with war and conflict throughout

history. Since the end of World War I, there have been numerous wars fought across the world,

each with its own unique circumstances and consequences.

One of the first major conflicts after World War I was the Spanish Civil War, which

lasted from 1936 to 1939. It was fought between the Spanish Republicans and the Nationalists,

and ultimately resulted in the establishment of a fascist dictatorship under General Francisco

Franco. The Second World War followed shortly after, lasting from 1939 to 1945. It was a global

war fought between the Axis Powers (led by Germany, Japan, and Italy) and the Allied Powers

(led by the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain). The war ended with the defeat of

the Axis Powers and the establishment of the United Nations. The Korean War began in 1950

and lasted for three years. It was fought between North Korea (supported by China and the

Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by the United States and other UN countries). The

war ended in a ceasefire, with the two Koreas still technically at war to this day. The Vietnam

War was fought from 1954 to 1975 between North Vietnam (supported by the Soviet Union and

China) and South Vietnam (supported by the United States). The war ended with the unification

of Vietnam under communist rule. The Gulf War began in 1990 and lasted for only a few

months. It was fought between a coalition of countries led by the United States and Iraq, which

had invaded Kuwait. The coalition forces were successful in driving Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.

The War in Afghanistan began in 2001 and is still ongoing today. It was a response to the

September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States and has been fought between the Afghan

government (supported by the United States and other NATO countries) and Taliban insurgents.

The Iraq War began in 2003 and lasted for several years. It was fought between a coalition of

countries led by the United States and Iraq, which was accused of possessing weapons of mass

destruction. The war ended with the capture and execution of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

These are just a few examples of the many wars that have been fought since World War I. Each

one has left its mark on the world in different ways and serves as a reminder of the devastating
 Nisar 4

consequences of conflict. It is our hope that one day, humanity will find a way to put an end to

war and work towards a more peaceful future.

War is a brutal and unforgiving reality for soldiers, as portrayed in Erich Maria

Remarque's novel, All Quiet on the Western Front. The book highlights the physical and

emotional toll war takes on soldiers, as they are forced to witness and participate in atrocities that

haunt them long after the fighting ends. As one character in the novel observes, “We are all lost,

there is nothing but misery left for us” (Remarque 1928). The soldiers in the book struggle to

maintain their humanity in the face of constant violence, and the toll of war is evident in their

physical and mental deterioration. Remarque's vivid descriptions of the horrors of war illustrate

the senseless destruction and loss of life that occur on the battlefield. As one soldier reflects, “I

am young, I am twenty years old; yet I know nothing of life but despair, death, fear, and fatuous

superficiality cast over an abyss of sorrow” (Remarque 1928). The reality of war, as depicted in

All Quiet on the Western Front, is a stark reminder of the devastating toll that conflict can take

on those who are forced to fight.

Confusion and conflicted feelings are often experienced by the soldiers on the battle

ground as they are obligated to follow the orders of the authorities, even in cases where they are

aware that the instructions will result in dire consequences. The battlefield is a place of great

sacrifice and bravery. Soldiers are faced with the difficult task of following orders to the letter,

even when it may lead to their demise. Yet, they charge headfirst into the fray with unflinching

eyes, displaying courage and selflessness that is truly inspirational. Alfred Lord Tennyson's

poem, The Charge of the Light Brigade, perfectly captures the valor and heroism displayed by

soldiers who are forced to obey their superiors' commands. They charge into the jaws of death in

foreign lands, knowing that their fate is sealed, yet they charge on undeterred for the honor of
 Nisar 5

their country. Their loyalty to their nation and their duty to their men is what drives them

forward, as they face the lion's den. Theirs is not to reason why, theirs is but to do and die, as

they thunder towards the enemy, letting out a battle cry. For they know that in the end, it is not

the outcome that counts, but the valor and heroism that they display that truly amounts. We must

never forget the sacrifice that these brave soldiers have made for our freedom and the safety of

our nation. Let us honor these brave souls who gave their lives fighting for a cause that they

believed in with all their might. They are the true heroes who inspire us to be better and remind

us that in the face of adversity, we must never falter.

The war depicted in Ken Follett's, Eye of the Needle is a heart-wrenching tale of the

intense emotions and sufferings experienced by the characters involved. The characters are

forced to face the harsh realities of war, and their lives are forever changed as a result. One of the

most striking passages in the novel is when the protagonist, Henry Faber, reflects on the horrors

of war: “No one who had not been through it could imagine the horror of the trenches: the mud,

the rats, the stench, the constant fear of death” (Follet 1978). This quote perfectly captures the

emotional weight of the war, as the characters are constantly struggling to survive in an

environment that is both physically and emotionally draining. Throughout the novel, the

characters are forced to confront the devastating consequences of war. The toll it takes on their

relationships, their mental health, and their overall sense of well-being is palpable. As one

character notes, “Everything is different now. Nothing will ever be the same again” (Follet

1978). This sentiment is echoed throughout the novel, as the characters struggle to come to terms

with the trauma they have experienced. Despite the intense emotions and sufferings that the

characters experience, there are also moments of hope and resilience. As one character notes,
 Nisar 6

“We have to keep going, no matter what. We have to believe that things will get better” (Follet

1978). This sentiment is a testament to the human spirit, and the resilience that we are capable of

even in the darkest of circumstances. Eye of the Needle is a powerful reminder of the intense

emotions and sufferings that are inherent in war. Through its vivid portrayal of the characters and

their struggles, it offers a compelling and emotional look at the toll that war takes on those who

are forced to endure it.

The Vietnam War was a time of incredible hardship and emotional burden for soldiers.

The novel The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien gives us a glimpse into the inner lives of

these soldiers. One of the most striking passages in the book describes the weight of the things

they carried, both literally and figuratively. O'Brien writes, “They carried all the emotional

baggage of men who might die. Grief, terror, love, longing--these were intangibles, but the

intangibles had their own mass and specific gravity, they had tangible weight” (Brian 1990). This

passage perfectly captures the heavy emotional burden that soldiers carried with them every day.

Another quote that highlights the emotional struggles of soldiers during the Vietnam War comes

from the character Kiowa. He says, “You don't know what a man's gonna say or do until you're

out there. And then it's too late” (Brian 1990). This quote speaks to the unpredictability and

danger of war, and the toll it takes on soldiers who must constantly be on guard. The Things

They Carried is a powerful reminder of the emotional trauma experienced by soldiers during the

Vietnam War. The book serves as a tribute to the men who served and a call for greater

understanding of the sacrifices they made.

In the bleak darkness of the battlefield, the stench of death hung heavy in the air. The

cacophony of artillery fire drowned out the desperate cries of the wounded, while the heavens

wept as if mourning the souls lost to the ravages of war. Billy Pilgrim, a hapless soldier,
 Nisar 7

wandered through this surreal landscape, a mere pawn in the game of destiny. He had become

unstuck in time, flitting between moments of horror and chaos, witnessing the devastation of

Dresden and countless other tragedies unfold before his bewildered eyes. “Listen: We are here

on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you any different!” (Vonnegut 1969). These words

from Billy's creator, Kurt Vonnegut, seemed like a cruel joke amidst the nightmarish reality of

war. How could anyone find solace in absurdity when surrounded by such grotesque brutality?

The once-vibrant city of Dresden lay in ruins, its grandeur reduced to a desolate wasteland. Fire

had engulfed its beauty, leaving behind nothing but ashes and despair. Billy could hear the

anguished screams of mothers searching for their children, their voices blending with the sobs of

orphaned souls. Amid the chaos, Billy found himself face to face with the grim reaper, death

personified. “Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt,” (Vonnegut 1969) he muttered, a

mantra to shield his sanity from the horrors he bore witness to. But it was a thin veil, torn apart

by the reality of severed limbs and mangled bodies that surrounded him. Through the ashen haze,

Billy saw the futile dance of war, where men fought and died, unaware of the bigger picture. "So

it goes," he whispered, a weary acknowledgment of the ceaseless cycle of violence and suffering

that plagued humanity. In those moments of despair, Billy yearned to be unstuck in time once

more, to escape the horrors that haunted him. But time, like war, waits for no one. And as he

continued to drift through the chaos, the weight of witnessing such brutality etched itself into his

soul, leaving scars that time could never heal. War, with its unrelenting horrors and

unfathomable chaos, had changed Billy Pilgrim forever. And as he trudged through the

battlefield, he knew that he would never be able to forget the haunting images that would forever

haunt his existence. “And so it goes” (Vonnegut 1969).

In the aftermath of war, the struggles of families left behind weighed heavy on their

hearts, much like the burdens borne by those in combat. In the novel Sand Queen, by Helen

Benedict, the emotional toll on families of captured soldiers resonates with haunting truths. As

the war raged on, families found themselves imprisoned in a relentless cycle of uncertainty. “We

go to bed at night not knowing if he's dead or alive,” a mother lamented, capturing the constant

dread that gripped their souls (Benedict 2011). They clung to fragments of hope, praying for any

news of their loved ones, “I want something, not just to wait and not know,” they pleaded

(Benedict 2011). The absence of their dear ones cast a dark shadow over their daily lives.

Children, who once played with laughter echoing through the streets, now bore somber

expressions. Their innocence was stolen, and they navigated a world painted with the colors of

war. “I see the fear in the children's eyes, the way they stop playing at the sound of an

explosion,” a father observed, witnessing the price his children paid for a conflict they never

asked for (Benedict 2011). The families of captured soldiers were subjected to a relentless

struggle with bureaucracy, an intricate web of red tape that held their hopes captive. As they

pursued information about their loved ones, they encountered a heart-wrenching truth, “They

said I have to wait for a report from a board. Nobody knows when that will be” (Benedict 2011).

The anguish of waiting, coupled with the uncertainty of their fate, tested the limits of their

strength. In their desperation, they sought solace and connection with others who understood

their pain. They formed a tight-knit community, bound by a shared struggle. “We stick together.

We're all we have,” they whispered, finding refuge in each other's presence (Benedict 2011). The

burden on the families was not just emotional but also financial. As the war claimed the lives and

abilities of young soldiers, families were left to grapple with the aftermath. “A lot of them come

back so damaged that their families have to take care of them,” a mother confessed, as the weight
 Nisar 9

of her son's injuries took a toll on her family's well-being (Benedict 2011). Through the poignant

pages of Sand Queen, the author reveals the untold stories of families left to bear the

consequences of war. Their struggles were hidden beneath the headlines, overshadowed by the

chaos of battle. Yet, their resilience and unwavering love for their missing or wounded soldiers

exemplify the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

In Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, the futility and

senselessness of war are brought to the forefront, as the novel weaves a poignant tale of loss and

grief in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. As the story unfolds, the devastating impact of

war becomes evident, leaving families shattered and lives forever changed. The protagonist,

Oskar, grapples with the loss of his father in the World Trade Center, and the void left behind

highlights the true cost of conflict. “I wish I had died with them,” Oskar confesses, a sentiment

echoing the anguish of countless others who lost their loved ones to the merciless hands of war

(Foer 2005). Throughout the narrative, Foer intersperses powerful lines that illuminate the

futility of violence and the devastating consequences it begets. “Why didn't they just say 'we

don't like you, so we're going to kill you'?” Oskar questions, expressing the absurdity of war's

justifications (Foer 2005). The novel relentlessly confronts the idea that war is the means to an

end, laying bare the irrationality that lies beneath such claims. In the aftermath of the attacks,

Oskar's grandparents share their harrowing experiences of war. His grandfather recounts his

survival of the Dresden bombings, where thousands of innocent lives were sacrificed in a

senseless act of destruction. “It was Dresden that was the worst,” he confesses, evoking the

horrors of war that transcend time and generations (Foer 2005). Foer delves into the psyche of

characters who bear the weight of wartime traumas, revealing the lasting scars left by violence.

Oskar's grandmother clings to a picture of her deceased husband, believing it to be the only
 Nisar 10

tangible remnant of his existence. “It was just a picture of him, but there was nothing else of him

that was left,” she reveals, encapsulating the emptiness war leaves in its wake (Foer 2005).

Through Oskar's quest to find the lock that matches a mysterious key left behind by his father,

the novel explores the search for meaning amidst the chaos. As Oskar meets people who have

been touched by war in different ways, the senselessness of the conflict becomes more

pronounced. “Why do things have to be so complicated?”he wonders, grappling with the

intricacies of a world torn apart by conflict (Foer 2005). In Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,

Jonathan Safran Foer crafts a powerful narrative that drives home the futility and senselessness

of war. Through raw emotions and haunting reflections, the novel serves as a stark reminder that

the true cost of war is measured not just in lives lost, but also in the irreparable damage inflicted

on the human soul and the shattered fragments of once-whole families left to piece their lives

back together.

In The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the absence of any constructive or educational

purpose in wars is starkly portrayed, as the novel explores the devastating impact of conflict on

the lives of its characters. The story is set against the backdrop of Afghanistan, a country torn

apart by decades of conflict and war. As the protagonist, Amir, reflects on his childhood, he

recalls the innocence lost to the ravages of violence. “I became what I am today at the age of

twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975,” Amir reminisces, marking the beginning

of a tumultuous journey defined by the scars of war (Hosseini 2003). The Soviet invasion of

Afghanistan in the late 1970s serves as a turning point in the novel, disrupting the lives of its

characters and plunging them into chaos. Hosseini's portrayal of the invasion depicts a senseless

act of aggression, devoid of any constructive or educational purpose. The violence that ensues

only deepens the wounds inflicted upon the nation and its people. As Amir and his father escape
 Nisar 11

to America to seek refuge, the specter of war continues to haunt them. The absence of any

constructive purpose in the conflict becomes evident in the sense of displacement and loss

experienced by the Afghan immigrants. “We were leaving Afghanistan. We - the Afghan people

- had to leave our homes and our lives,” Amir's father, Baba, laments, highlighting the

heartrending consequences of war on families and communities (Hosseini 2003). Hosseini

weaves a tale of guilt and redemption, using the kite-fighting tournament as a metaphor for the

destructive nature of wars. “For you, a thousand times over,” Hassan, Amir's loyal friend and

servant, says as he retrieves the last fallen kite, symbolizing the sacrifice and loyalty that wars

often demand (Hosseini 2003). Yet, the novel underscores that these sacrifices do not serve any

educational or constructive purpose; they are merely testaments to the brutal realities of war. The

Taliban's rise to power further exemplifies the void of any meaningful purpose in the conflict. As

they impose their strict rule, the education system suffers, and the young generation is denied the

opportunity to learn and grow. “When the Taliban closed the schools, they said it was because of

the fighting. But my father once told me that the real reason was to weaken the educated

population,” explains a character named Farid, exposing the deliberate deprivation of knowledge

and progress for ulterior motives (Hosseini 2003). Hosseini delves into the lives of characters

like Sohrab, a victim of the Taliban's tyranny, whose tragic fate reflects the brutality and

senselessness of war. Sohrab's haunting silence and withdrawn demeanor serve as poignant

reminders of the trauma endured by the innocent victims caught in the crossfire. Through The

Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini crafts a heartrending narrative that lays bare the absence of any

constructive or educational purpose in wars. The novel underscores that conflicts only perpetuate

suffering and destruction, leaving families shattered, communities in turmoil, and a generation
 Nisar 12

deprived of opportunities for growth and enlightenment. It serves as a poignant plea to recognize

the human cost of war and the urgent need for peace and reconciliation.

To summarize, the literature written in response to wars fought in the 20th and 21st

centuries unequivocally proves that wars are seething struggles, not object lessons. The

narratives of suffering, loss, and the erosion of humanity depicted in these works shatter any

illusions of wars serving educational or constructive purposes. Instead, they serve as poignant

reminders of the urgent need for peaceful resolutions to conflicts, and a call to strive for a world

where wars are relegated to the pages of history, replaced by compassion, understanding, and

dialogue. Literature stands as a witness to the toll of war and a testament to the resilience of the

human spirit amid the darkness of conflict.

Works Cited

Samet, Elizabeth D. “Literature of the Forever War.” The New York Times, 12 Aug. 2016,

www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/books/review/literature-of-the-forever-war.html.

---. Looking for the Good War: American Amnesia and the Violent Pursuit of Happiness. Farrar,

Straus and Giroux, 2021.

Remarque, Erich Maria. All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel. Random House Trade

Paperbacks, 1996.

Tennyson, Alfred. The Charge of the Light Brigade and Other Poems. Courier Corporation,

1992.

Follett, Ken. Eye of the Needle: A Novel. 1978.

O’Brien, Tim. The Things They Carried. 1998.

Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse-Five: A Novel. Dial Press Trade Paperback, 1969.

Benedict, Helen. Sand Queen: A Novel. Soho Press, 2011.

Foer, Jonathan Safran. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Penguin UK, 2006.

Linnell, Rhonda. The Kite Runner: Khaled Hosseini Smartstudy English Guide. 2005.