Devin Caplow Mrs.

Warren AP English Language and Composition 20 March 2012

Introductory Paragraph In any position of widespread influence inclufing politics, journalism, leadership, art, or even fashion, a chance exists that one might find themselves doubting what for which he or she advocates. Due to changes in perspective, one's views could become fragmented or at odds, producing an immediate "gut" reaction that might contradict the conclusion one would draw with a more detached point of view; in fact a good politician, a good fashionista must be able to separate his or her immediate feelings from more rational thinking. Choosing to be a war correspondent, Ernie Pyle chose to write patriotic articles depicting the successfulness of the American military, and accepted the censorship of every article he wrote from the field. Pyle was a dedicated patriot, but the experience of D-Day's aftermath changed his perspective, challenging the strength of his patriotism with the macabre destruction and tragedy he witnessed. Pyle's statement that "They were gone forever now. And yet we could afford it" (Pyle, "The Long Thin Line of Personal Anguish" 2) shows his guttural reaction to the waste of human life that had occurred. In writing, "The awful waste and

destruction of war, even aside from the loss of human life, has always been one of its outstanding features to those who are in it," (2) Pyle extends this reaction to the expenditure of resources as well, which ironically dehumanizes the fallen soldiers. Pyle further exemplifies this dehumanization with the clinical tone of "Bibles and hand grenades. Here are the latest letters from home, with the address on each one neatly razored out - one of the security precautions enforced before the boys embarked." (2)