Question

In addition to noting the "brutalizing process that goes on in any war (line 278), King points out that the war is making our troops become cynical because:

A. Prolonged war always causes soldiers to become cynical.
B. They know that they are fighting for the right reasons.
C. The things we claim to be fighting for are not really involved.
D. They do not have enough equipment to carry out their mission.

Answer 1

King argues that soldiers become cynical in war because the ideals they are fighting for are not truly reflected in their experiences. War's brutal reality, the obsolescence of traditional valor, and the prolonged nature of conflict contribute to this cynicism.

Step-by-step explanation:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. notes that the war's brutalizing nature contributes to the troops becoming cynical because "the things we claim to be fighting for are not really involved". This statement is aligned with option C and is bolstered by historical accounts that describe how the reality of war contrasts with the valor and heroism often proclaimed as war justifications. The extensive use of technology in war has made traditional notions of heroic combat obsolete, leading soldiers to feel disillusioned when witnessing the arbitrary nature of death and survival on the battlefield.

The resources and morale of soldiers diminish the longer the war continues. Experiences from different wars, such as the American Civil War and World War I, illustrate the erosion of initial optimism and the shift towards a war of attrition, where survival becomes a question of luck rather than skill or bravery.