See the man they are fitting into the bottom slot. He is…
““See the man they are fitting into the bottom slot. He is coughing badly. No, not pneumonia. Not tuberculosis. Nothing so picturesque. Gently, gently, stretcher-bearers… he is about done. He is coughing up clots of pinky-green filth. Only his lungs, Mother and Mrs. Evans-Mawington. He is coughing well to-night. That is gas. You’ve heard of gas. Haven’t you? It burns and shrivels the lungs to… to the mess you see on the ambulance floor there. He’s about the age of Bertie, Mother. Not unlike Bertie, either, with his gentle brown eyes and fair curly hair. Bertie would look up pleading like that in between coughing up his lungs… The son you have so generously given to the War. Cough, cough, little fair-haired boy. Perhaps somewhere your mother is thinking of you… boasting of the life she has so nobly given… the life you thought was your own, but which is hers to squander as she thinks fit. ‘My boy is not a slacker, thank God.’ Cough away, little boy, cough away. What does it matter, providing your mother doesn’t have to face the shame of her son’s cowardice?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage portrays a tragic wartime scene, reflecting on suffering, sacrifice, and the indifferent cruelty of war on individuals and families.
In simple terms: War inflicts deep personal loss and moral anguish.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the human cost of conflict.
Themes
war
suffering
family
sacrifice
morality
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
Brown eyes:0
Curly hair:0
Parenting:0
Thank god:0
Little Boy:0
Bertie Mother:0
Lungs Mother:0
Mawington Coughing:0
Lungs Son:0
Boy Cough:0
When to use this quote
- historical study
- peace activism
- counseling
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
human tragedy
psychological trauma
ethical reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How does war shape personal identity?
- What responsibilities do societies have to victims?
A Different Perspective
Graphic detail may be disturbing.