"Just Before the War with the Eskimos" and Downton Abbey

J. D. Salinger's "Just Before the War with the Eskimos" provides a glimpse into the lives of those affected one way or another by World War II. Similarily, the second season of the British show, Downton Abbey, also depicts post-war life for the Crawley family and their staff. Despite being set in the World War I time period instead, Downton Abbey reminds me of Salinger’s stories because the show also deals with several war-related issues like that of a soldier’s honor and society’s view of war.

In Downton Abbey, the Dowager Countess of Grantham (played by Maggie Smith and otherwise known to the legions of Harry Potter fans as Professor McGonagall) uses her influence to prevent one of the Crawley family’s footman, William, from being drafted. But for the sake of honor and to silence those who call him a coward for not fighting, William goes on to fight in the war. After being seriously wounded by an explosion, William dies, but dies a hero. His widow will later reap the benefit of being a soldier’s wife, and he will forever be remembered as one who died while fighting valiantly. This causes me to question how honorable it is to fight in a war and the consequences it would bring. To serve in a war is a manly thing to do, and even with the possibility of losing one’s life, it may seem worth it in the end by gaining the respect of others and being remembered as a hero.

Contrastingly, Franklin in “Just Before the War with the Eskimos” does not serve in the war, but instead works in an airplane factory. Every time Ginnie mentions anything to do with war, he fidgets and belittles it. When Ginnie mentions how someone is lieutenant commander in the Navy, Franklin sarcastically responds and tries to shift the topic of conversation. Franklin is portrayed as a coward and he even feels the need to explain his situation to Ginnie by saying it’s because of a heart condition so she will sympathize for him.

When a war breaks out, the pressures of society cause many people to enlist in order to gain the respect of others. Rather than spend their whole life viewed as a coward, they would rather risk their lives and fight in the war. But as seen in the case of Franklin, those who don’t enlist seem attacked by peers and societal pressures around them to explain their situation. He even tells Ginnie of the Eskimo war being fought with old men in order to make fighting seem comical instead of respectful. But most of the time, war is portrayed to be dangerous and so life changing that it will, in the words of the Disney Mulan song, “make a man out of you”, almost as if it is a coming of age activity. People enter wars as immature little boys, and if they do somehow make it out alive, will come out if it as a man who has experienced and witnessed the horrors of war.

Most of us are people who aim to please, whether it is in the context of family, work, or school. In both "Just Before the War with the Eskimos" and Downton Abbey, the characters want to please those around them and gain respect from their peers. The idea of wanting to evoke a manly man image instead of a wimp and coward who stays home can be seen in both William and Franklin, whether they participate in war or not.

Putting myself in those shoes, I am not sure what I would choose to do. Enlisting in a war is an individual’s choice but impacts other people as well. Though I hate the thought of war and worry what witnessing all those gory images would do to me, I would most likely succumb like William and end up enlisting due to pressures from society and peers. At least I will be remembered as a hero should I lose my life. And even if it is a mundane death, I will have tried. Should I decide to not enlist, those I care for would also be dragged down with me and have to endure harsh judgment from others as well. The responsibility I feel for them is enough to persuade me to join.

Downton Abbey-William Enlisting

Disney Mulan Song