War and Peace: "Platoon" (1986) by Oliver Stone

2/24/2013

Just as Chris and the platoon are divided between Elias and Barnes, viewers also feel somewhat divided. You feel compelled to side with Elias because he is jaded and righteous and seems to care about his men, but you can't help but admire Barnes' hardiness, his determination to win the war and ability to survive.

After our class discussion about allegory, the Christ figure and Machiavelli, as well as the inability of humans to be purely good or evil, you understand that this is a decision that is not as easy as one might hope.

Imagine that you are a soldier in this platoon. Who do you follow, Sgt. Barnes or Sgt. Elias? Take into consideration all factors: survival, morality, reality of the war environment, psychological effects of the war, constant extreme stress, and any other factors that would affect your decision. Explain your decision in a thoughtful and well supported blog entry (at least 2 full paragraphs).

Once you have posted your blog entry, please respond to a classmate's blog entry. This response should be at least a paragraph in length.

MDHeartless

2/25/2013 09:16:46 am

I would fallow Sgt. Elias, mainly because he has a higher sense of morals. He believes in a greater cause, he doesn’t do things for himself, but for others. He would hive his life for me before putting me in harm’s way. He is a savior, not a warrior, I’m the opposite, but I believe that I would have to balance out the odds by siding with Elias. If I friend Elias he could teach me better morals than what I already have, without changing who I am. In Sgt. Barnes’s eyes I’m just a disposable grunt, a pawn in a country sized chess game, an expendable war clone. No different from anyone else.

Mark O

2/25/2013 01:10:49 pm

As a new member to the platoon. I would rather follow Sgt. Barnes. Even though he is a tough leader and rather think of himself than his team soldiers. Sgt Barnes is all about survival and winning the war. Myself In a time like theirs I wouldn't think all about morals and pity. As a soldier I am there is fight and to follow my leaders orders. Like the men did in the movie in Barnes troop. I probably wouldn't let the stress get to me because I would have one thing on my mind which is protecting my life and help protecting my fellow soldiers.

Claudia

3/1/2013 04:17:43 am

I understand what you are trying to say with Barnes being all about winning and survival. Barnes was killing people mother's, and father's and even children people who had no control over the war. In my opinon Barnes is a monster and how I see it if I was on a team with him he might kill me next.

Shariff Daddy Lewis

3/1/2013 03:47:06 pm

Dear mark
I do not agree with your choice to choose Sgt Barnes over Sgt Elias. I have to say you did make some valid point., Sgt Barnes is a great soldier, but Sgt Elias is what I like to call a Warrior, he is honest,smart,respected not because of his actions but because of his skills and wisdom. Sgt Elias is not blinded with rage and his mission(to win the war). Barnes is the type of man that will risk his entire squads life in order to kill one man, and that's not the kind of guy i would want to follow.

Cassandra K

2/25/2013 02:09:50 pm

If I was a soldier of the Platoon I would definitely side with Sgt Elias because of the fact that he was basically the good guy. I cannot see myself acting like Barnes, selfish and cold hearted because of the person I am and how I was raised. I do not have the strength to do the illegal killings that Barnes has done nor can I be heartless like Barnes was. I believe that Barnes way of handling things only hurt the Platoon because the more harm they did to the innocent, the bigger of a target they were. It will be hard to move on when the war is over knowing that I did bad and illegal things while in the Platoon.
Elias cared more about his men, it is better to have a leader that cares about you rather than a leader who can care less if you die or not. I would feel better and a little less stressed out knowing that my leader cares about the Platoon’s safety. I would rather just get the job done right rather than to get the job done illegally. Elias’s morals are similar to mine; he is able to separate right from wrong. With Elias it is not only about killing, it is about building trust within the Platoon and having each other’s back. If I was to join the Platoon that’s the type of environment and people that I would like to be around.

Talyia Robinson

2/25/2013 02:59:46 pm

Even though I sided with Sgt. Barnes I understand where you are coming from. By reading your explanation on which side you would side on, makes me reconsider the decision I would have made. I do disagree on some parts with you though because you wouldn’t want to save other people while putting yourself in risk to die. I think everybody can say that they care about their life and we as humans would do everything to keep ourselves alive. Sgt Elias is a role model but I do still think that Sgt. Barnes is the right choice as in to save yourself.

Talyia Robinson

2/25/2013 02:54:46 pm

If I was a soldier in the platoon I would follow Sgt. Barnes. The reason for this is because his intentions are to survive the war. I am a caring person but I would rather save myself in the war then to risk my life to death to save another soldier. I would try to help my soldiers the best that I can but I will not stay back if they are injured or in a risky situation. Soldiers enter the war in their decision and they should be independent and to accomplish their main goal to survive.
During the war the opponents want to kill you to either get revenge or take your land. You have to fight for what you believe and keep hold of your ground. Many people also stress over the fact of survival but they do they best that they can to defeat the enemies. Sgt. Elias is a kind generous guy and I do respect him for his interests but survival is the key in the war.

Cassandra K

2/26/2013 12:46:18 am

I chose to side with Sgt. Elias but I understand why you would chose Barnes because of his determination to win. I agree that your life comes first so you wouldn’t really care about the enemy’s you just want to do your job. I would want to protect my life also as much as possible; being emotional will not help you when you’re in a war. Sometimes you have to do the dirty work to get the job done, you can’t always be nice. Your argument was very persuasive, I like it.

MDHeartless

2/26/2013 07:11:41 am

I understand why you would side with Sgt. Barnes, but as a follower of Elias I have noticed that Barnes isn’t all about survival. Sgt. Barnes told O’Neil without hesitation, “everybody got to die sometime”, even Barnes. When Barnes killed Elias he didn’t do it for survival, he did it to win. Sgt. Barnes’s biggest goal isn’t survival, it’s to win. If he wanted to survive he would not have told Chris to shoot him in the end. He would plead for Chris to help, but like he said, “everybody got to die sometime”.

MDHeartless

2/26/2013 07:12:18 am

Ruben Mendoza

2/28/2013 11:50:32 pm

I chose to be with Elias in the platoon, because I personally felt that Barnes lets the whole “warrior” mentality thing get to his head. He sort of lost his morals as a man and overall as a human in my eyes. He’s somebody that I wouldn’t trust behind my back because he’s so dangerous; I look at it from an angle that if he could kill one of his own soldiers because he felt that he wasn’t the toughest warrior he can do the same to me. At the same time I definitely understand where you’re coming from because as a soldier volunteering for the war you know what you’re getting your self into, and if you aren’t fit for it then don’t join. Barnes also has good in him as well he’ll do anything to get the victory for his country. I just feel he will even betray his own men just to win.

Chante'

2/25/2013 02:56:17 pm

I would much rather follow sargent elias because he was not nearly as cold hearted at sgt barnes. The things that sgr barnes did I wouldn't be able to do. Sgr elias was a good leader & always knew the right thing to do. He cared about all of his men & sgt barnes was too self indulged for me.

K.Hazel

2/25/2013 05:50:40 pm

If I was a soldier I would have to follow Sgt.Barnes because even if he does see me as nothing less but a pawn but in the end he is only trying to survive. Sometimes you have to survive by any means necessary. Yes, Elias is forgiving but sometimes being too forgiving can get you killed especially in war you have to always be on the lookout. Sgt.Barnes understands this and though the things he does is questionable he still intends to make out alive,this type of mentality is what you need to have when in battle because you knew what you signed up for and you also knew it wasn't going to be easy.

Kirkland Harris

2/26/2013 03:13:16 am

I wouldnt follow barnes for the fact he is not loyal. He tried to kill to of his soilders.He was not justified for what he did to Elias. What if you are following him and he trys to kill you next because he feels that you are starting to see the war in a different way.

Kaytlyn

2/25/2013 11:35:01 pm

If I was a soldier, I would follow Sgt. Barnes. I would follow him because he is a warrior and he is determined to survive the Vietnam War. Sgt. Elias on the other hand, is someone who is more concerned about peace. Although peace is a good thing, you need to be strong in the war and not be afraid to kill somebody.

K.Hazel

2/28/2013 04:10:33 am

I agree with this statement because if you you sign up for war you are not going there to make peace, you will gradually but the first action of war is to defeat the enemy and you cant go about doing that by trying to wage peace first because the results can be fatal.

luiszam14

3/1/2013 06:01:27 am

im desagree with kaylyn. beacuse branes might be a good warior but he doesnt care about his soldiers. barnes is soo smart when he goes to battles. beacuse he know how to fight them , he knows how the enemy move and everything. he only cares about him self and win this battle with or not his soldiers.

Danielle Nunez

2/25/2013 11:36:21 pm

If i was a soilder in the platoon i would side with Sgt. Elias. I would side with him becuase he was a good person at heart and didnt care about onlky his survival but his mens also. Barnes was too mean, cold hearted, selfish, and he was simply shaddy. Elias cared so much more then Barnes for his men and thats how a leader should be. Caring for everyone not only themselvges because if Barnes hadn't notice this is a TEAM effort. They all fight for and with eachother, which is something i think Elias realized mush faster then Barnes.

Kirkland Harris

2/26/2013 03:10:19 am

I would Follow Sgt. Elias because he cared about others. He didnt just kill for no reason. If he felt threating then he killed. When Barnes was killing people in the village for no reason he was the only one that step up to barnes.
I believe Sgt. Elias is a better leader then Barnes. The reason why is because Elias justified his doing.Sgt. Barnes killed to frighten people while Elias killed to protect his self. Elias is also more trustworthy because he wouldnt harm or lie to his own soilders. Sgt. Barnes tried to kill soilders that he believed had a heart and cared for the enemy.

Melissa K

2/28/2013 04:12:20 am

If I was a soldier I would follow Sgt. Elias. I would follow him because he is trustworthy. He didn't kill just anyone. He only killed for protection and not just because he felt like it. He also cared about others.
I wouldn't follow Barnes because he is pretty much the opposite. Unlike Elias, he is not trustworthy. He kills out of rage instead of protection. He is also self centered. He only worries about himself and he doesn't seem to care about anyone else.

Eddie B

2/28/2013 04:20:06 am

I would say I would follow Sgt. Elias because he is a person you can trust and if you was in trouble he would help you out alot, and he is the person that will be on your side. I'll say he doesnt care about nobody and he worry about the people he trust. He never trust the enemy.

Ruben Mendoza

2/28/2013 04:29:05 am

If I was at war in the platoon fighting the Vietnam war I would definitely be on Elias side. I have many reasons why I will roll with Elias. My first reason is because not only is Elias a good fighter, he has good personality traits to go with him. For instance Elias is what we call a philosopher. He’s a philosopher because he holds himself to a certain standard. Elias is a man of good morals and is a true leader, you can rely on him troops in the platoon refer to him as jesus. I think that alone says a lot about the man.
Barnes isnt a good character, he has this thing of being a warrior. He takes it way to serious and he lost his morals. He thinks being a warrior is just going around killing everybody. I understand and respect his war mentality because you are there for a fighting purpose, but the overall look of it is that you’re still a human being and squeezing off on innocent people isn’t “human like” at all. Another reason why I wouldn’t roll with Barnes is because what if he ever thinks I’m not a “warrior” and decides to kill me. That’s not somebody that I think anybody will want to be around.

John Vargas

2/28/2013 05:10:31 am

John Vargas
English IV
2/28/13
If I were a new member to the platoon, I would personally, and most likely follow SGT. Elias. I would follow sgt Elias because he has a good sense of humor. From what I seen from the movie Elias is a good person it also shows that he has a very big heart. Elias is a leader I would definitely follow him. He helps to survive at the end of the war not to die. I would not follow Barnes for the fact that he killed Elias. while Elias was trying to help the platoon in a positive way. Barnes killed Elias and lies to Chris about it when he questioned him.

Claudia

3/1/2013 04:00:27 am

If I was a soldier in the Platoon I would defiantly side with Sgt. Elias he was actually a good guy. Barnes was very cold hearted did not have any remorse for human life. Elias knew that even though he was at war with the people of Vietnam they were still human beans and some of the people couldn’t control the war so they weren’t at fault. Barnes was a maniac and I believe killing people became an addiction for him he was very pleased with killing and bring evil to people lives. Elias had morals while Barnes didn’t have any.

Sharif Daddy Lewis

3/1/2013 04:10:43 am

As a new recruit of this platoon I would rather follow after sgt.Elias. Sgt Elias is a type of guy who is honest and trustworthy. And if I were to engage the enemy I would have a sense of safety, knowing that sgt. elias is not blinded with the mission and rage. Sgt. Elias is also a very talented soilder with plenty of experience.

luiszam14

3/1/2013 05:50:02 am

i would go with alias. beacuse i think he is a good leader and he respect his soldier and other people. like even if the enemy he wouldnt treat them bad.elias alwayas was doing the right thing thats why barnes.elias its a good soldier.

barnes might be a good warior but he doesnt care about his soldiers. he killed elias and he try to kill chris.

Carlos Montalvo

3/3/2013 11:51:21 pm

I would follow Elias simply because he has MORALS and because he's a respectful leader who seems to always do good. Elias is also very humorous and has a very big heart.

Carlos Montalvo (part 2)

3/3/2013 11:54:42 pm

Elias seems to know what he's doing in every situation as well. Sure the other guy has a willind a devoted determination to survive but he's willing to lose ppl and not have so much care for them. But a good leader is one who shows leadership with love.

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