Essay Questions

Show how patriotism is emphasized in Harold Keith’s Rifles for Watie.

In this novel, the love and devotion towards one’s country are highly emphasized particularly through the character Jeff. Jeff’s love and devotion to his country are so great that he is willing to go to war to fight for his country and is even ready to die. However, when Jeff comes to the realization that at the centre of war is suffering and death, his devotion somewhat diminishes.

How is corruption in the army brought out?

In the military, the aspect of corruption is particularly highlighted by the character Captain Asa Clardy who is at the centre of arms smuggling. Despite being aware of the fact that smuggling arms and rifles to the rebels will prolong the war on top of resulting in death and suffering, the captain continues smuggling them for his own benefit. He is self-centered and greedy, and he has absolutely no regard for human life.

Jeff is an emblem of responsibility. Is this assertion correct? Explain.

Even though Jeff is a young soldier aged only sixteen-years-old, he shows utmost maturity when he stands up and shows commitment to his course—protecting the people. In this line, Jeff as a soldier refuses to put up with any forms of injustice and offers protection to the people in need. In this way, the character does not shy away from his responsibility and the assertion that he is an emblem of responsibility can be argued as true.