About the Author: Luigi Pirandello
Luigi Pirandello (1867–1936) was a distinguished Italian writer who made significant contributions to modern literature:
- Multi-talented writer: He was a dramatist, novelist, poet, and short story writer
- Innovation in drama: Famous for revolutionizing modern theater with works like "Six Characters in Search of an Author" (1921)
- Nobel Prize winner: Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1934
- Prolific writer: Created hundreds of short stories, novels, and numerous plays
- Famous collection: His plays were published under the collective title "Maschere nude" (Naked Masks) between 1918 and 1935
Pirandello is known for exploring complex human psychology and the nature of reality in his works.
Story Summary
"War" is set during wartime when a train stops at Fabriano station. Passengers traveling to see their sons off to war share their grief and different perspectives on loss. The story focuses on how people cope with the pain of potentially losing their children to war, culminating in a powerful moment when reality breaks through one man's emotional defenses.
Character Analysis
The Mourning Woman
- Dressed in deep mourning, representing visible grief
- Overwhelmed by the prospect of losing her only son
- Represents raw, honest emotion
Her Husband
- Small, thin, weak man with a death-white face
- Tries to be polite and explain their situation
- Shows helplessness in comforting his wife
The Stout Man
- Red-faced with bloodshot eyes
- Initially appears strong and philosophical about loss
- Breaks down when forced to confront reality
- Represents denial as a coping mechanism
Detailed Answers to "While We Read" Questions
a. Why did the passengers have to stop at Fabriano?
The passengers traveling from Rome by night express had to stop at the small station of Fabriano until dawn because they needed to continue their journey on an old-fashioned local train to Sulmona. This was a necessary transfer point on their route.
b. Describe the physical appearance of the woman's husband.
The woman's husband was:
- A tiny, thin, and weak man
- Had a death-white face
- Small, bright eyes
- Looked shy and uneasy
- Appeared frail and exhausted
c. Why was the woman upset?
The woman was upset because:
- Her only son, aged twenty, was being sent to war
- She and her husband had devoted their entire lives to him
- They had broken up their home in Sulmona to follow him to Rome for his studies
- They received sudden news that he would leave for the war front in three days
- She felt helpless and devastated about potentially losing her child
d. Why was the old couple going to Sulmona?
The old couple was going to Sulmona to see their son off before he left for the war front. They had received a telegram from him saying he was due to leave in three days.
e. How did the woman react when her husband explained their situation?
The woman reacted by:
- Twisting and wriggling in her seat
- Growling like a wild animal at times
- Feeling certain that others wouldn't sympathize with her plight
- Hiding her face by pulling up her coat collar
- Showing signs of emotional distress and agitation
f. 'Parental love is not like bread....' What does the speaker mean by this?
The speaker means that parental love cannot be divided or shared in portions like bread. A parent doesn't love each child less if they have more children. Instead, parents give their complete, undivided love to each child regardless of how many children they have. The love is not split but multiplied - each child receives the full measure of parental love.
g. Why did the other passengers stare at the stout man?
The other passengers stared at the stout man because:
- His appearance was striking - red-faced with bloodshot, bulging eyes
- He interrupted the conversation with forceful opinions
- He seemed to radiate inner violence and uncontrolled vitality
- His passionate outburst about children and country was intense and commanding attention
h. According to the stout man, what is stronger than the love of Country for older people?
According to the stout man, for older people, the love for their children is stronger than their love of Country. He argues that while patriotism remains important as people age, the parental bond becomes the stronger force.
i. Why did the passengers suddenly become silent?
The passengers became silent because the stout man's words resonated deeply with them. His question about whether any parent wouldn't gladly take their son's place at the war front struck at the heart of every parent's feelings, making them reflect on their own willingness to sacrifice for their children.
j. What message did the stout man's son pass on before his death?
The stout man's son sent a message saying he was dying satisfied, having ended his life in the best way he could have wished - serving his country heroically. The son expressed contentment with his sacrifice for the nation.
k. Why didn't the stout man wear mourning for his dead son?
The stout man didn't wear mourning because he claimed his son died happy and satisfied, fulfilling his duty to the country. He believed that since his son died contentedly, there was no reason to mourn. However, this was likely his way of denying his grief.
l. Why did the woman feel stunned by the stout man's words?
The woman felt stunned because:
- She realized she might be wrong in her overwhelming grief
- She saw that other parents seemed able to accept their children's fate
- She felt she couldn't rise to the "height" of other parents who appeared resigned
- She was amazed by the stout man's apparent ability to cope with his loss
- It opened her eyes to a different perspective on sacrifice and loss
m. Why did the other passengers congratulate the stout man?
The other passengers congratulated the stout man because they admired his apparent strength and stoic acceptance of his son's death. They praised him for speaking bravely about his child's heroic sacrifice and for seemingly handling his grief with dignity and patriotic pride.
n. What was the stout man's reaction to the woman's question?
When the woman asked "Then...is your son really dead?", the stout man:
- Stared at her with his bulging, watery eyes
- Tried to answer but words failed him
- Looked at her for a long time
- Suddenly realized the reality of his son's death
- His face contracted and became horribly distorted
- Broke into uncontrollable, heart-breaking sobs
- This showed that her simple question shattered his emotional defenses
Answers to "Let's Rewind" Questions
1. Why were the passengers in the train distressed?
The passengers were distressed because they were all parents dealing with the pain of having their sons at war. Each family faced the possibility of losing their children, creating a shared atmosphere of anxiety, grief, and helplessness.
2. Why, in your opinion, did the woman ask the stout man if his son was really dead?
The woman asked this question because:
- She was confused by his seemingly cheerful acceptance of his son's death
- She couldn't understand how someone could be so composed about such a loss
- Her question was innocent but penetrating - it forced him to confront reality
- She may have sensed that his philosophical acceptance was a mask for his true feelings
3. Why did the stout man break down at the end of the story?
The stout man broke down because:
- The woman's simple question forced him to face the reality he had been denying
- He had been using philosophy and patriotic rhetoric to avoid confronting his grief
- Her direct question "Is your son really dead?" made him realize his son was truly gone forever
- His emotional defenses crumbled when confronted with the stark truth
- He could no longer maintain his facade of strength and acceptance
4. The other passengers were amazed to see the stout man break down. How would you respond in such a situation?
In such a situation, I would:
- Show compassion and understanding rather than amazement
- Recognize that grief affects everyone differently
- Offer comfort through presence rather than words
- Understand that his breakdown was natural and human
- Respect his need to express his true emotions
- Perhaps offer practical help like a handkerchief or quiet support
5. What does the story tell us about the different ways in which people cope with grief and loss?
The story reveals several coping mechanisms:
- Denial: The stout man initially denied his grief through philosophical arguments
- Rationalization: Using patriotic duty to justify and accept loss
- Open expression: The woman showed her grief openly through tears and distress
- Quiet resignation: Some passengers accepted their fate with subdued sadness
- Comparison: People tried to measure their suffering against others
- Eventual breakdown: Even the strongest facades eventually crumble under emotional pressure
6. Pirandello's story presents nationalism and questions its value. How should nationalism be widened to promote cooperation?
To promote cooperation rather than competition, nationalism should be redefined as:
Positive Nationalism:
- Love for one's country that doesn't diminish respect for others
- Pride in cultural heritage while appreciating diversity
- Working for national progress through international cooperation
- Supporting global peace and understanding
Examples from the story:
- The stout man's son died "for his country," but this sacrifice could be redirected toward international peacekeeping
- Parents' love transcends national boundaries - all parents suffer equally
A unified world would ensure:
- Reduced conflicts and wars
- Better resource sharing and environmental protection
- Collective solutions to global challenges
- Preservation of cultural diversity within unity
- Focus on human progress rather than national competition
Recent examples:
- International cooperation during COVID-19 pandemic
- Climate change requiring global action
- Space exploration as international collaboration
- United Nations peacekeeping efforts
Key Themes
- The Reality of War: Shows how war affects ordinary families
- Grief and Denial: Explores different ways people handle loss
- Parental Love: Demonstrates the universal nature of parental sacrifice
- Nationalism vs. Humanity: Questions blind patriotism
- Truth and Illusion: How people create illusions to cope with pain
Literary Techniques
- Dialogue: Reveals character through conversation
- Irony: The stout man's breakdown contradicts his earlier strength
- Symbolism: The train journey represents life's difficult passages
- Character foils: Different characters represent different coping mechanisms
- Climax: The woman's simple question creates the story's turning point
Message and Relevance
Pirandello's "War" remains relevant because it:
- Shows the human cost of conflict
- Explores universal themes of loss and grief
- Questions the glorification of war
- Emphasizes the importance of honest emotional expression
- Reminds us that behind every conflict are real people with real pain
Extended Learning Activities
Speech Writing (Hiroshima Day)
When preparing a speech for Hiroshima Day, consider:
- The innocent victims of war
- The lasting impact of conflict on families
- The need for peaceful resolution of disputes
- Learning from history to prevent future tragedies
Debate Topic: Technology and Warfare
Arguments for safer future:
- Better communication prevents misunderstandings
- International oversight of weapons
- Precision reduces civilian casualties
Arguments for increased danger:
- More destructive weapons
- Cyber warfare vulnerabilities
- Autonomous weapons reduce human control