The War Prayer

“The country was up in arms, the war was on, in every breast burned the holy fire of patriotism; the drums were beating, the bands playing, the toy pistols popping, the bunched firecrackers hissing and spluttering; on every hand and far down the receding and fading spread of roofs and balconies a fluttering wilderness of flags flashed in the sun; daily the young volunteers marched down the wide avenue gay and fine in their new uniforms, the proud fathers and mothers and sisters and sweethearts cheering them with voices choked with happy emotion as they swung by.”

Mark Twain opens the story with a description of the country’s celebrations as it prepares for war. Imagery, strengthened by alliteration and onomatopoeia, bring the story to life. References to toy pistols and firecrackers give the impression that the country is playing war, which shows how little they understand the realities of war. The sentence is also long, drawing readers in with a breathless rhythm just as the country’s citizens have been drawn into the patriotic frenzy.

“Sunday morning came—next day the battalions would leave for the front; the church was filled; the volunteers were there, their young faces alight with martial dreams—visions of the stern advance, the gathering momentum, the rushing charge, the flashing sabers, the flight of the foe, the tumult, the enveloping smoke, the fierce pursuit, the surrender!—them home from the war, bronzed heroes, welcomed, adored, submerged in golden seas of glory!”

People gather at the church and Twain provides a small glimpse into the thoughts of the soldiers. They focus only on the glory of war, with no thoughts of bloodshed and death entering their minds. They imagine their enemies fleeing the battle and surrendering rather than putting up a fight. The use of multiple exclamation points underscores the excitement of the soldiers.

“The service proceeded; a war chapter from the Old Testament was read; the first prayer was said; it was followed by an organ burst that shook the building, and with one impulse the house rose, with glowing eyes and beating hearts, and poured out that tremendous invocation […] !”

Twain describes the church’s liturgy, which includes references to the Old Testament but neglects to mention the New Testament or the idea of Christian love. The congregation standing and reciting the invocation together illustrates the lack of individuality within the church and the collective mindset of the churchgoers.