Course Quote by Michael Herr
““And they were killers. Of course they were; what would anyone expect them to be?””
About This Quote
Source Book: Dispatches by Michael Herr, 1977
It highlights that violence is expected of those in war, reflecting fatalistic acceptance of brutality.
In simple terms: War normalizes killing.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge harmful expectations.
Themes
war
morality
human nature
Mood
grim
reflective
Type
critical
historical
When to use this quote
- military service
- conflict zones
- media coverage
Key Concepts
Fatalism
dehumanization
Questions to Reflect On
- How does expectation shape behavior?
- Can we change narratives about violence?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook individual agency and moral choice.
![“Going out at night the medics gave you pills, Dexedrine breath like dead snakes kept too long in a jar. [...] I knew one 4th division Lurp who took his pills by the fistful, downs from the left pocket of his tiger suit and ups from the right, one to cut the trail for him and the other to send him…” quote by Michael Herr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4d2/michael-herr-21675_too-long_going-out-at-night-the-medics-gave-you-p_1189943.jpg)
