Patriotism vs. fairness
Jeff’s love for his state is so strong that he is ready to go to war to fight for it and – if needed – die for it. This is his homeland, something very dear to him, this is Jeff’s whole world. When he sees how bushwhackers come to rob people of that little that they have, he decides to put an end to it. However, the young soldier soon realizes that their enemies are just ordinary people who take weapons in their hands to protect their values. Jeff’s patriotism deflates when he sees that any war is all about suffering and injustice.
Corruption in army
Corruption is a disease that that can affect any sphere. Not surprisingly, it is especially flourishing in the military; politicians, arms companies, and many others manage to make money on people’s suffering without any remorse. It is the most terrible kind of hypocrisy when two enemies agree to bury a hatchet just to get out profit from a war. Captain Asa Clardy smuggles rifles to the rebels, being perfectly aware of the fact that his actions only prolong the conflict in which so many people die. His greediness has muffled his voice of conscience. Asa Clardy is directly responsible for the terrible state his soldiers are in. However, the man doesn’t even care about it. Money is the only one value he has.
Responsibility to be a human
Sometimes we all want to run away from responsibilities, for they threaten to squash us under their weight, sometimes they are too much to endure, sometimes we all see our kindness as a weakness. Jeff’s ability to fulfill a commitment is a sign of maturity, a proof of his noble soul. Though Jeff is only a sixteen-year-old boy, but his actions speak louder than words! The young soldier refuses to put up with injustice, always sticks up for his word, and protects those who are in need. The way he takes care about dogs he meets on his way serves a reminder that neither war nor any other catastrophe frees us from obligation to behave as a human being. It seems that the battles and cruelty he has seen have no effect on him.
