Another thing I noticed the gratuitous use of in this book was the Three Soldier Stereotypes. These are the only characters ever used for someone in the military. It bugs me, because as far as I can tell, soldiers are people too, complete with personalities. But in literature, soldiers are always one of the following:
- The Faceless Grunt, identical in every way to thousands exactly like him. Will follow the least sensical orders mindlessly. Is usually found in the company of a few hundred others. Average rank: Private First Class.
- The Tender Patriot, who loves God, his girlfriend, and his nation, who doesn’t really believe in the causes behind the current war but fights anyway because his comrades-in-arms are depending on him. Is usually a primary character. Average rank: Corporal.
- The Evil Plotter, who uses his rank to manipulate politics and world events because he likes to be evil. Nearly always misappropriates funds to line his own pockets. Is usually a villain. Average rank: General.
It’d be really nice to come across a novel, or even a piece of nonfiction, that cast even one soldier as something other than one of those. I know they exist, but every one I’ve ever seen which tries to cast people as individuals first, soldiers second has been a war story. What I’m wishing for is to be reading something unrelated, a piece of fiction that I picked up because I haven’t read it before with a plot that isn’t just about the details of some war or battle, and see soldiers who are people.
What are the chances of that happening, though?
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