the children's crusade

"The eight ridiculous Dresdeners ascertained that these hundred ridiculous creatures really were American fighting men fresh from the front. They smiled , and then they laughed. Their terror evaporated. There was nothing to be afraid of. Here were more crippled human beings, more fools like themselves." 
pg. 191


In this passage and chapter as a whole, Vonnegut makes clear the toll that war has taken on these young men. I think this passage is one of many moments in the novel that exemplifies the subtitle of the book, The Children's Crusade. It seems that Vonnegut is constantly trying to show us the juxtaposition of the romanticized ideals of war against the harsh reality of it. The image of war and soldiers evokes a certain sense of heroism, strength, courage and dignity but I think Vonnegut really wants us to see how that isn't the reality. These men are reduced to mere boys and are often stripped of their dignity and courage. There is a sense of unfulfilled goals or dreams. Historically, the Children's Crusade is remembered as a voyage carried out by a great number of adolescents in medieval times who claim they were on a mission from God to convert Muslims to Christianity. However, most all of the crusaders died in shipwrecks or were captured and sold into slavery. I think this idea, being the subtitle, is incredibly evident and important to the novel as a whole. These soldiers were sent on this heroic voyage to save the world but it seems that along the way, Vonnegut would argue that more was lost in regards in terms of dignity, mental health, and human lives than was gained.

Q: Do you think this passage exemplifies the subtitle The Children's Crusade? Or, do you think he meant something else by it?

Annie Baker