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"We do not wish to look too closely at what happens to the soldier’s body in war. The perpetuation war requires “averting our eyes” from the victim; avoiding looking at the dead or mutilated bodies
"The son of Douglas Haig, the British Commander responsible for the disastrous Battle of the Somme, reports that the General “felt it was his duty to refrain from visiting the casualty stations because these visits made him physically ill.” The French Commander Joffre, after pinning a military decoration on a blinded soldier, said to his Staff: “I mustn’t be shown any more such spectacles. I would no longer have the courage to give the order to attack.
“War is a ritual in which bodies of soldiers are given over to society to maintain the unity of the nation & preserving its sacred ideals. We want our “beautiful” ideals, but don’t wish to look too closely at the soldier’s mutilated body."
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