Soldier's Heart Themes

Soldier's Heart Themes

Inner Struggle

Charley's first struggle happens at the beginning of the story when his mother encourages him to just leave the fort and walk home. Initially Charlie is not tempted, but after being at Fort Sutton for a while with no more excitement, he considers deserting, only deterred when the men are called to leave the camp.

As the reader sees Charley mature from a boy of fifteen to twenty-one, he is constantly struggling within himself. While the difference between right and wrong is generally clear, he only falters a few times from "right." The first time, he "farms" with the other soldiers. The word "farms" describes the stealing of poultry, pigs, cows and fruit from the surrounding farms for food and trade. Charley knows this is not really right, but he does it anyway with the justification that if he and his friends don't take it, the Rebs will just get...
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