Vladimir Nabokov's Quotation Analysis

In the quotation the author shows that war is majestic.

In the quotation the author portrays war as something majestic.

In the text, the heroic image of a general on a horse is described. In the quotation the author describes such image as an “historical image.” Usually, pictures of war are heroic and show the honorable and impressive image of a soldier. Therefore, Ambrose Bierce uses this term to describe the heroic image of the General saluting his aide. The word “gazing” is used when describing a very serious and steady look. In this case, the gazing from the general is a determined looked. The term used to describe the General’s look is usually seen in paintings or photographs; therefore, the author is portraying the resplendent and picture like side of war. The words “galloped furiously” show war as something honorable and impressive. When a horse is galloping it reaches its top speed. When linked with furiously the term shows that the aide is galloping with energy and violent passion. In the text the aide “gallops furiously” to perform his job showing the aide’s heroism during war.