1. Skepticism & Idealism
Skepticism is the doubt of the truth or something (Merriam-Webster dictionary) idealism
is the practice of forming or pursuing ideals, esp. realistically (Merriam-Webster dictionary).
Throughout the dialogue skeptism and idealism is clearly stated- playing a huge part in the union
verse the south war and in the soldiers’ lives as well as today’s society.
For starters, the Colonel (Chanbralin) in the text is an idealist. “…you’re an idealistic,
praised be” (Karain words to Chanbralin). Chanbralin then goes on to show his point of view on
slavery, color and the war. He feel as if slavery is wrong and is not necessary- that you cannot
treat a men as an object and you most definitely cannot look at men in the eyes and subject him
to his color or race instead of what he did or who he is. “… You cannot judge by race. Any who
judges by the group is a pewit. You take men at a time….”as far as the union war against the
south goes he believes it is something that should be done and won. After being asked “what
would happen if we lose the war” in return his response was “Doubt it. Wound is too deep. His
difference …if they win they’ll be two countries like France and Germany in Europe, and the
border will be armed...”
However, Karain is the skeptic soldier. He believes that you cannot blame some one or
anything other and something they control. “What matters is justice. “Tis’ way I’m here. I’ll be
treated as I deserve, not my father deserved I’m Karain.” Moving along, Karain point of view of
the war is clear he fights not to prove equality but, for the aristocracy. “It’s the aristocracy I’m
after. “The skeptic soldier does believe that slavery is wrong however, he does not believe any
race is better than another. His belief goes deeper then right or wrong- it stretches to the point of
all men regardless of race and color has good and bad in them. Whites are not the only bad

2. people because they enslave the blacks; many blacks are just as bad they fight against each other
as well as against others.
Last but not least, in today’s society we still have skeptics and idealism. People still are
skeptic and idealistic about war, slavery and racism. The main people in today’s society are
politics, the media and writers. Maya Angelo for instances, is A very famous writer and poet that
is idealistic. Some of her work is known to speak of times when people are not judged by their
color or race but by what they have accomplished.
In conclusion, although Chanbralin is idealistic and Karain is skeptic they are both union
soldiers. They fought for their belief although their reasons were very different. Karain fought
for aristocracy while, Chanbralin fought for the rights and freedom of all men. As of today’s
society, we continually progress however; we will always have skepticism and idealism in the
world; whether it is about slavery, race, or war.