Powerful Imagery and Themes in The Killer Angels Essay

In The Killer Angels, Michael Shaara fictionally illustrates the historical facts of the battle at Gettysburg. Shaara gives action and words to characters of another time, and then places these players on the stage of this great battle. Through the use of powerful biblical and non-biblical imagery and themes the epic nature of the battle at Gettysburg and its characters are enhanced. Such imagery and themes, combined with Shaaras fictionalization, help to contribute to why this single battle holds such monumental significance and influence upon the lives of Americans over a century removed from its occurrence. In the Foreword, before the battle begins, Shaara starts with a list of the principle players in the upcoming†¦show more content†¦This helps to give the entire event a timeless characteristic. The Confederates tend to fill the aspects of biblical imagery and themes in more numerous ways than that of the Union side. This is due, in part, to the fact that the Confederate Army had a more unified religious belief system as well as a solid, devotional-like faith in Lee as their leader. (Shaara ix) Lee is the pinnacle of the Confederate hierarchy. He is like an angel of the Lord (Shaara 67) in the presence of his men. On the first day of battle he is prompted from within himself to ride out to merely be seen by his soldiers in the midst of battle in order to boost morale. (Shaara 112) Not only is Lee aware of the importance he holds in the eyes of his men and the strength that he gives them, but also in his weakness and weariness. He does not attribute to himself qualities that superseded God. Shaara emphatically states that Lee believed absolutely in God. (Shaara x) Lees divinity is attributed to him by his men. For instance, Longstreet conveyed to Arthur Fremantle a conversation concerning Darwins theory of evolution. He stated that even though those discussing the issue agreed that Darwins theory was probably true, one person spoke out that Lee didnt come from no ape. (Shaara 138) This implies that in the eyes of his men, Lee was viewed as being apart from mere m ortals. Although Lee aloneShow MoreRelatedHow Does Conflict Manifest Itself in Romeo and Juliet?1509 Words   |  6 Pages2, after Juliet first learns that her lover Romeo has killed her cousin Tybalt. In anger Juliet describes Romeo as a â€Å"fiend angelica!† This quote is an oxymoron because fiend means devil or Satan, while the definition of angelica is angel or honorable. Since an angel cannot also be the devil the phrase is an oxymoron. Shakespeare uses this oxymoron to display the two sides of Romeo and the conflict which Juliet has within herself. 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