Games and Glory
In the first two chapters, Jethro imagines war in a very childlike manner. For him, war is glorious and is associated with fanfares and other elements symbolizing patriotism and unity. His image of war is soon destroyed and replaced by reality because Jethro is able to see what a war really is and how it affects other people.
Perfect leaders
From the beginning of the war, Jethro is impressed by the achievements of McClellan, a commander who managed to win many battles. Because of this, Jethro imagines McClellan as being the perfect image of an army commander and the image he created around the name McClellan only gets stronger which each victory he wins.
Not so glamorous
Instead of trying to give the impression that war is something glorious, the narrator creates a realistic image of war through the description Tom offers about the battlefield. The reality is far more different than what Jethro imagines and learn instead that people die every day in horrible conditions not so much because of the battles they have but because of the horrible conditions they live in and because they are not properly clothed.
Point Prospect
Point Prospect is the place where many deserted chose to seek refuge. The image the narrator creates around the place is one that inspires fear. The soldiers who chose to flee did it with their arms and thus they became very dangerous. When Eb sneaks and meets with Jethro, he tells his younger brother that Point Prospect is a place filled with angry and violent men who don’t fear any type of authority. Because of this, Point Prospect is always associated with violence and human depravation.
