"War" by Luigi Pirandello (Primary Blog Entry only)

3/17/2014

Now that you have read the short story "war" and watched the short film adaptation, please answer the following questions:
1.     How would you characterize the ending of this story… a realization, a denouement, or an epiphany?

Denouement - after the climax, a gentle restoration of relationships prior to the events in the story

Realization - where a character becomes aware of a reality in his or her life

Epiphany - a sudden, sharp realization, an awareness of a desire that can never be fulfilled, or "reality"

Explain your answer and describe its effect on the characters' different levels of denial. (100-150 words)

2.     What desires motivate the fat traveler? Explain. Are these in conflict?  (100-150 words)

3.     Why is the atmosphere of the overnight train appropriate? (100-150)

Student 11

3/17/2014 11:56:05 am

1. I would characterize the ending of the story, realization because it really didn’t hit the big guy until he was asked the question. He told everybody that basically the country owns them and they’re old enough to make their own decisions as a man. As being a man they can do whatever they want and joining the war is an honorable thing. They should look at their sons as being heroes and, if they die they will have an honorable death. But even the two front teeth and the big man covering resembled that he was hiding something. That he really didn’t think that he lost his son forever. He was talking about him being brave and dying with honor, it didn’t hit him that he will never see him and that was it there was no good ending. Word count 140
2 The desires that motivated the fat traveler are for his son to be the person that was a Hero for his country and be well known for his duties and for fighting for his country because it’s such an important thing. He wanted everybody to be joyful and happy/proud of their son for what they were doing. As they could be doing anything else but the wanted to fight and protect their country, not cry or be in sorrow because they don’t want them to die because of the war. They are in the conflict because it’s hard to let go of your son knowing that what they are doing is dangerous and might not come back alive. Even the fat traveler cried as he realize he will never see his son at the end Word count 136
3 It’s appropriate because the parents are able to relate to people that understand what they are going through and, kind of let them know that they are not alone and have somebody in the same process as them They are able to talk about it and hear other people talk about sons or nephews that are in the war, and they can console one another as they are all scared of what happen to their boys because you never know what can happen in a war. Like at the end of the story how they all had uncontrollable sobs as they figured out there’s no way hide about how you feel about your son being in the war and just have to let it out and not hold it in. Word count 131

3/17/2014 01:37:38 pm

I believe that the man had a moment of realization at the end. He was using denial as a way to cope with his sons death. The man kept convincing himself that the country owned his son and his death was justified because of his service. But, even if the boy was doing good no parent will ever be accepting of the death of their child. All the people on the train were similar. They all were using the same excuse the man was. They all hid their true feelings to a certian extent. So when the lady asked if his son was really dead he broke down because he came to the realization his child will never be back.
The fat man was motivated by knowing his son died for a cause. He has so much pride for his country that he basically thought his son was government property. He was almost scarily convincing on his view towards serving in war, as were the others. The ultimate honor was to die for country.

# 5

3/17/2014 01:42:16 pm

1-I believe at that the ending of the story the characters or at least the two main characters had a realization. They had a realization because they realized something and it become their reality. For the woman she realized that her son is really gone and she can’t really do anything about so she takes a breath because she realizes she’s still alive and she needs to live for him now, that’s my opinion.
2-I think what motivated the fat traveler is that his son was fighting for the army he was proud and he believes that he should be proud to if not he might feel as if he’s not supporting his child. These feelings are in conflict because he still hasn’t realized until the end of the story that his son is really gone. So he probably believes that to give him hope so he’s in some type of denial because he has to believe something if not he’ll fall apart like his wife.
3-The atmosphere of the train is appropriate because the train symbolizes how they transition from one point to another. Like the woman she transitions from mourning into realizing that her son is really dead or at least the concept of it. For her husband he transitions from being hopeful into crying hysterically that his son is really gone as well. For the rest of the characters as well.

Word Count 240

Student 23

3/17/2014 01:44:22 pm

I characterize the ending of the story as a realization for many reasons. Through the entire story nobody, specially the fat man, realizes that their son's can't be brought back. Throught the entire story all of the people in the train talk about their children's heroic efforts, and yet those who have already lost loved ones can't bring this to a realization. Out of all the people in the train who go through this realization, the fat man is affected the most. He is affected the most because the entire time he probably doesn't see his son's death as something that's very painful and sorrowful. In the end he comes to realize that he lost his boy and can't bring him back. Word count: 120

2)The desires that motivate the fat man are those of young men's heroic sacrifices. He constantly keeps boasting that the sacrifices his son and the other men make, are all for king and country. The fat man believes that when young men turn 20, they have many choices, and some of those are girls cigarettes, friends, and illusions. However he mentions that the call of duty from one's country's is the most important and noblest of them all. The fat man man says that when they were once young they went through the same process, of leaving their parents to answer their country's call. Word count:104

The atmosphere of the overnight train is appropriate for many reasons. The people talking in the train all have a connection and that is because they have loved ones fighting in world war one. Many of them also have another similarity, and that is that they have lost a loved one in the war. When they talk to the lady and her husband, they tell her that it is better to have two sons in the war. That way if one perishes, the other may have a chance of surviving,therefore not giving the parents the pain and grief of losing two sons. Word count: 103

Student 7

3/17/2014 05:02:39 pm

1. The ending of this story would be characterized as realization because the guy was sort of denial and didn’t want to face reality. But when that person asked the question, reality just set in and he couldn’t control his emotions at that point. Joining the war, you’re looked at as honorable according to the old man and that his son died in a good way. Not saying death is a good thing, but I’m sure he’ll rather have his son dying for his country than by dying in a robbery. Soldiers in the war are displayed and looked at as heroes or saviors of their country.
Word Count: 101
2. The desires that motivate the overweight traveler are for his son to be a great soldier and to be a hero of his country. The overweight traveler wants his son to be an honorable man. Fighting for your country is extremely important to them. There’s conflict because they can’t just forget about him. They know he lived an honorable life, but it’s still hard for them to let him go. The overweight traveler wants them to be happy about what his son did. The traveler talks about not being depressed about his son, but even he breaks down and cries after reality sets in.
Word Count: 100
3. The atmosphere of the overnight train is appropriate because the parents are able to put themselves in other people shoes that understand the significance of what is happening. It is kind of like saying, you can cry on my shoulder, sort of letting someone know that they are there to help you. Letting them know they’re not alone. They can help one another out because they are both going through the same thing. Since they are they can both relate to their similar events with their son. They just have to let it out and let their emotions free.
Word Count: 102

Student #6

3/18/2014 02:52:36 am

1. The ending of the story is one of epiphany, on man’s part. The man realizes how delusional and how far into denial he was about giving up his one and only son to war and how his son may lose his lifer, or the person who was before the war. He wanted to believe that it was their duty for them to give their son to war and they should be proud but what he didn’t think of is his son’s wellbeing. He over looked everything about his son and allowed himself to be brainwashed. While with the mother she was completely absorbed by the thought of losing her son, she tries to contain herself the best she can but then she realizes that it won’t help, there isn’t anything she can do and she isn’t the only person feeling the way she does. No one wants to lose their child but they have to accept it regardless, and even though it’s her only son at least she’s not losing multiple children over and over again like others
-179

3. 1. The atmosphere of the nighttime train ride fit well into the overall feel of the story. The darkness and silence of night would help the show how isolated and how depressed the parents are. The night being symbolism for their son being the light in their world and with him gone they are surrounded by darkness. The train can also be symbolism for them reaching epiphany;
point A being from their original “train” of thought and feeling to what they feel by the end of the story. It also sets a realistic time for one to reflect on recent events. When traveling with nothing else to do we tend to think and more likely about what affects us most recently
-121

Student 3

3/18/2014 04:05:09 am

1. The ending of this story, “War” by Luigi Pirandello would be characterized as realization. At the beginning of the story, this fat man with two missing front teeth was in denial. He refused to agree with the tiny man and his bulky wife who were mourning over their only son taken to the front. He interrupted by saying that their sons were taken for the good of the country, and that they should be proud of their sons. Later on , he realizes and drowns himself in tears when the tiny man had asked…”Is your son really dead?” (Pirandello 3). This question made him realized his son was gone forever and that he was not going to see him anymore. This brings realization in the faces of the other passengers. Word Count: 131
2. What motivated the fat traveler was his son being taken to the front. He knew his son was brave and a hero to have been in the army to defend his country. He said that if their sons die, they die happily without facing the bad side of life, so everyone should stop crying over their sons. They are in conflict because they could not let their sons go. It was a hard thing to do because they could not tell when their sons would be back or whether they are gone forever. This created somewhat an argument between the passengers. Word Count: 101
3. The atmosphere of the overnight train was appropriate because it brought the passengers from different angles and perception about the war to share and to come to an agreement. This conversation made them face reality. Other life stories of their sons and nephews taken to the front were shared. They even got to debate on their sons; whether having two sons taken to the front or only son taken to the front was to be considered more dangerous and sad. Also, they also got to learn about paternal love shared equally amongst children from the tiny man who had only a son. I see that overnight as an educative time. Word Count: 110

3/19/2014 02:53:45 am

1. I would categorize the ending of this story as a realization. It wasn’t until the fat man was asked the question, that he realized that even if his son hadn’t been dead at that moment, that he would eventually be dead. He realized that just being put on the front line was death for his son. As soon as the men were put out there, the realization hit everyone that this was the death of the young men. Everyone came to a realization that through reality that their sons on the front line would soon die, regardless. The denial he had at the beginning soon came to an end at the end of the story. 115
2. The country, and the hope and pride of his country, motivate the fat man. This creates conflict because the fat man in way at the beginning chooses his country over his son. At the end he realizes that in order to stay true to his country, his son will die. The fat man also is motivated through the pride of his son. He is so proud of his son fighting for his country that he doesn’t care that his son may end up dying. This is the fat man in denial that his son’s life may be taken in the war. 102
3. The atmosphere of the train is appropriate because the adults are all able to relate to each other. It didn’t matter that someone had two sons, nephews, and cousins in the war, or if you just had one son. Everyone understood each other and could sympathize for everyone else. They could feel the way that all of the other adults felt. Also the physical atmosphere of the train gives a sad, depressing mood which is how the family members were all feeling while sending their sons away. The atmosphere helped the reader understand how the characters who lost their family members feel. 103

Student 10

3/19/2014 09:22:41 am

The ending to the short story was a little bit of everything, but mostly realizations. It mostly has realizations because, no one will actually realize what they have until they loose them. For example, the man didn't notice that honor and pride won't bring back his son. You go to war never knowing if you're coming back and the lady understood that yet the man didn't. Desire, the desire that runs through the man is his son. He has the desire to let everyone know who his son was and how he contributed to the war and to making his country proud. Lastly, the atmosphere, the atmosphere of the train scene in the story is really tense because, everyone on that train all of them had something in common.

Student 19

3/19/2014 12:36:18 pm

1) The ending of this story was more of a realization. The man was in deep denial and could not accept his son's death. When the man was ask the question about his son, the man came into realization. He became fully aware that his son was actually dead and there was nothing he could do to bring him back. He had to face reality and accept the fact that his son was no longer by his side and gone forever. In a way his dad honors his death. His son was seen as a hero who died fighting for his country. (Word Count 102)

2) What motivated the fat traveler was how heroic his son was. He saw his son as a hero that fought for his country. He was proud to know that his son was being brave and fighting for his people. They are in conflict because it's hard for a father to let go of his son, not knowing if he'll ever come back after war. The fat traveler wants others to be proud of soldiers who risk their lives for us. They should honor their death and be proud of the accomplishment that was made. If they end up dying, they'll be dying as heroes.
(Word Count 107)

3 ) The atmosphere in the overnight train is appropriate because they all share a similar connection with one another. These people all have a love one or a love one who has died during war. These people can relate to each others feelings. These people were able to understand what one another was going through because they were dealing with the same situation. At the beginning of their conversation they were in denial of what was happening but came into realization towards the end. They were able to face reality and face the fact that these people were now gone off to war and could not do anything to bring them back and if they were to die they would die honoring their country. (Word Count 125)

Student 4

3/19/2014 04:41:40 pm

In the end of the story I believe the man that was asked if his son was really dead, had an epiphany. He suddenly realized that he would never be able to see his son again and that even though he should be proud of his son being in the military and doing it for a good cause that he truely did miss not having him around anymore. At first he denied his feelings of the loss of his son by trying to pass the same thoughts onto the woman. In the end he ended up going against what he had originally told the women and was now crying in remorse of his son that had passed.
The thing that motivated the fat man was to let his son die in glory and to think of what he was doing as making him a hero. He wanted to remember his son as someone that died for a cause and not in vain. His son had to have died for a reason and he wanted to believe that there was a specific reason as to why he would no longer be able to see his loved ones face again. His ideas are conflicted although due to him wanting his son to still be with him but he is still proud to think his son had an honorable death.
The atmosphere of the overnight train is appropriate because it is fast paced, just like the conversation. They were also basically going on a journey to discover how they feel about their relatives or children being gone. The conversation is also confined to a small group of people which allows for sharing of their deep emotions and talking about things they dreaded to have ever happened. (294)

#21

3/19/2014 06:51:57 pm

1- The ending of this story could be realization because the fat guy didn't want to face reality. He didn't wanted to believe that his only son was dead, that part of him had died, and never to return. He wanted to believe that his son was a hero, because he was fighting for his country. He realized that his son was dead when the woman asked him, "so is your son dead or alive thats when it hit him, thats when his true feelings came out and started the rain of tears of his sadness of his son's death. He believed that his son died a good way because he went to fight for his country and wanted to do what he wanted, and if that would cost him his life so be it, thats a honorable way to die. His denial was so big because he wanted to believe so bad that his son was a hero and didn't want to realize that his son was death.
2- What the fat man desires is to make, all the parents from the others soldiers realize that their son's, are hero's for going to war and fighting for their country. He wanted them to feel proud that their son's are doing something good, and f they died they died honorably. His motivation and believe was that their sons were a great worriers, that fought and they should encourage them not stop them be what they want. He just want to show them that, there is no bad way on die in a war because you die defending what you believe on, and to protect the people that you love and care about the most.
3- The atmosphere of the overnight train is appropriate because, the people talking in the train, have the same reason to be there, some for their sons, or son, or nephew, or husband, a love one, anyone that is in the army that they love and appreciate. another similarity that the have is that they have a broken heart because a love one died protecting their country, the place that they lived, in a way or another protecting them, because they don't want nothing to happen to their love one. Another reason why the atmosphere s appropriate is because they see how many other parents are like they are, like their aren't the only ones, they have people around them to understand the feeling that their having that their feeling, and that their there to help each other to survive this broken heart, sort of how the fat man did with the lady, but not how he reacted to her question.
Sorry just out of work at 11:30 didnt have time, finished it thought =)

Student 9

3/20/2014 05:01:28 pm

1. I would characterize the ending of this story as an epiphany. Even though I would characterize the ending this way, I believe this ending provided an example of realization, denouement, and epiphany. I feel like the story provided an example of realization because the husband suddenly realized that everyone was dealing with a mutual level of pain he was feeling and with him and the number of family out of war didn’t affect or alter the amount of grief each person felt. The story provided an example of denouement when the woman felt a sense of comfort after viewing the different perspectives or viewpoints the other train passengers had to share. The large woman on the bus initially showed no sense of openness towards the strangers, but after a while she seemed connected to the conversation that was taking place. The story showed an example of epiphany when the fat man suddenly came to terms with reality and accepted the fact that his son was dead. When the fat man initially spoke of his son, he spoke with pride and confidence. One the large woman asked a simple question regarding the life of the man’s son, he immediately broke down. 201
2. The desires that motivate the fat traveler are to gain a sense of pride and positivity in each family member for the soldiers instead of sorrow. The conflict that resides in this statement is the simple fact that it’s almost impossible for these loved ones to feel any sense of positivity from the truth in front of them. While each person should feel honored to have a connection to a soldier, the underlying reality that they may never come back does not provide anyone with a sense of relief, comfort, or optimism. Another conflict in this statement is an ironic reaction from the character that’s in attempt to change everyone’s outlook on war. Though the character wants to help each person in sorrow, he ends up sobbing in regards to the acceptance of his son’s death. 137
3. The atmosphere of the overnight train is appropriate because it symbolizes each person getting from one place to another in emotional sense. A regular train is known to get you from one place to another. Like a train, the conversations that each train member is engaging in are assisting them to change their thought process from one view to another. The train members were not planning to share their feelings or opinions on war, but the conversations/debates that taken place in some way assisted them to be proud and happy that their loved ones were protecting their country. Even though the conversations were considered unintentional, they ended up becoming beneficial for everyone. 113

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