After I’ve read Soldiers Home by Ernest Himgway, i felt a lot of frustration towards Krebs, I also felt a little sympathetic, but mainly frustrated. in the story, it shows how hard it id for him to adjust to normal life after returning from World War one. For me what really stood out was how disconnected he was from everyone and everything in the town, and how he felt disconnected from his family and himself. The war shows how it changed him and how he cant explain that but no one around him understood that.
Honestly i thought the relationship between him and his mother was a really emotional part. She wanted him to go back to being the person he was before war, but how can he? When she asks if he loved her and he says no, it doesnt feel cruel it just feels like hes too numb and tired to pretend, or to love anyone. Which made me feel quite upset, it shows how bad trauma can affect someones ability to care about their loved ones and really connect with them.
Another thing that stood out was krebs avoiding all commitments, if its with girls, a job, or conversations. It just seemed like he wanted peace and quiet after everything thats happened in the war, the world just keept pushing him to move on with everything eventhough hes not ready.
Overall the story made me think about how hard it can be for the soldiers to return after all the trauma and line work theyve done. How everyone wants him and everyone else to get over it so quick but they physically cant. A very quiet story, leaving a strong impression.
I totally agree about feeling frustrated and also sympathetic with Krebs! It’s hard to completely dislike him, since we know that he has been affected by the war and has PTSD. But is trauma really an excuse for your behaviour and actions? And is it fair to completely disregard relationships and connection, especially connections from before the war, just because you feel different now?
Your response explains Krebs’ situation really clearly. I liked how you described his disconnection from his family and his town, because that really shows how much the war changed him. The part you mentioned about his mother stood out to me too , that moment felt emotional, and you explained it in a thoughtful way. You also made a good point about him avoiding commitments, showing how the world wants him to move on even though he isn’t ready. well done
You did a good job on the writing but you should include line citations to help with ideas.
Your explaining about how you felt reading the story was really interesting. What I liked was how you mentioned the things that stood out to you.