Question H

[Jonetta]

Sebastian mentions "the seductive power of violence" several times in this story. What do you think he means?

[Charlene]

In the case of soldiers who had seen, or committed, atrocities during war, the return home might have left their appetites whetted by violence and the adrenaline rush that battle caused.

[Lauren]

It is easy for some, especially men who have been into battle as Charlene says, to give into their baser instincts of which violence is certainly one.

[Veronica]

What Charlene and Lauren said. I would only add that part of the seductiveness of violence is just how easy it is to allow anger for something completely unrelated to fuel it. In Sebastian's case he's allowing his anger over his own personal losses to fuel and/or add to his anger over the situation with these murders.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

I agree with you all. When you are put in a high stress situation and are expected to kill and then return to civilian life it is hard (I would imagine) to switch back.

[Jonetta]

I've often wondered what it does to the psyche after returning home from war where killing was sanctioned and now it's not. I'd imagine that it takes a lot for most soldiers to have to take that first life, creating some place mentally to come to terms with that. Then to come home and switch off a mental gear. When Sebastian talks about seductive power of violence, I thought he was referring to his own mental place and self management. He may have experienced something, seen something in himself that he found troubling.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

My late great-uncle fought in the India-Pakistan war and he never talked much about it but he did mention that not being in a hostile environment made him anxious. He felt like he could switch the soldier side off completely so it unsettled him that he was not sure how he would react in normal situations. When he retired from the Indian Army he mostly travelled trying to keep himself busy he said. (My mom's dad died really young and he was the eldest so his 3 brothers took on his 7 kids and young widow as they all lived together on a huge farm).

[Jonetta]

Sounds an awful lot like PTSD, though it didn't have a name back then.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

Yes...that is what I thought too, Jonetta. No, they didn't and no resources in villages even now.

[Veronica]

The PTSD issue is one where I actually think the author could do more in the story. There is mention here and there of the nightmares that Sebastian has but there isn't any mention of flashbacks, increased irritability, difficulty concentrating or maintaining focus. His sleep is poor so that's there. I guess the author didn't want to make Sebastian too prickly.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life)]

Veronica wrote: "The PTSD issue is one where I actually think the author could do more in the story. There is mention here and there of the nightmares that Sebastian has but there isn't any mention of flashbacks, i..."

Good point, Veronica! Maybe these issues will come more later and she is introducing them slowly? Like you I feel like there is more to say on it.