Final answer:
The speaker's belief, as reflected by historical records and Sassoon's views, suggests that soldiers in war dream of a normal life amid the chaos. The harsh reality of warfare and the disillusionment regarding the idea of heroic combat are emphasized. Soldiers adapt to their circumstances but hold on to the dream of peace and a return to ordinary life. The correct option is d. Dream of a normal life when they are in war.
Step-by-step explanation:
Perceptions of Soldiers in War::
The question of what the speaker believes about soldiers in war can be approached from multiple angles based on historical contexts and literature. Sassoon's view of the war, as indicated by the passages, is far from heroic. Instead, soldiers find themselves in challenging conditions, fighting for survival rather than for glory or excitement. Soldiers adapt to fear and fight with determination when cornered ("When in desperate straits, they lose the sense of fear"), and they hold on to a stubborn front when in hostile territory. Yet, there is an undercurrent of hopelessness and a dream of normal life amid the chaos of war.
During World War I, many soldiers were drafted and came from diverse backgrounds. They were swept up by the war effort, which was perceived alternatively as a moral crusade or as a test of manhood. However, the romanticized view of war as a path from boyhood to manhood contrasted sharply with the brutal reality of mechanized warfare, where survival often depended on luck rather than skill or bravery. Sassoon and historical accounts reflect this disillusionment and the irrelevance of individual heroism in the face of new warfare technology.
Therefore, the statement that best captures the spirit of these reflections is dream of a normal life when they are in war. The overall treatment of soldiers, as suggested by these passages, sheds light on the grim and merciless nature of war. Soldiers, longing for the end of conflict and yearning for ordinary existence, contrast with the early idealistic notions of honor and bravery.