Wringer

War is an important motif throughout the novel. When Palmer LaRue is nine-years-old, he believes the most valuable possession in his parents’ house is his father’s toy soldiers. They have been passed down to each boy in the family for generations, and Palmer anticipates the day he will inherit them. These toy soldiers symbolize maturity for Palmer, because he knows his father will only trust him with the prized toys when he’s old enough to take care of them.

When Palmer thinks of soldiers in Chapter 5, he considers the honor and respect that “comes to soldiers who survive great battles” (22). He likens himself to a soldier when he receives The Treatment from Farquar, because he believes the pain will lead to respect and honor from his peers. This war imagery is enhanced by the “World War I canon,” (22) which is where Palmer first receives The Treatment.

Palmer’s views about the toy soldiers and war begin to change between his ninth and tenth birthdays. By the time he’s ten, he realizes Farquar’s abuse doesn’t equal honor and respect. This is around the same time he buries his once beloved toy soldiers in the backyard. His change of heart stems from his relationship with Nipper. He’s always hated the Family Fest pigeon shooting, but after loving Nipper, he no longer thinks about 5,000 pigeons being killed during the shooting—he thinks about 5,000 Nippers dying. The pigeon shooting feels more personal than ever since loving Nipper, and Palmer views the event like an unfair war against an innocent population who cannot defend themselves.