The Theme Of Violence In March By Geraldine Brooks

“Are there any two words in all of the English language more closely twinned than courage and cowardice?” (Brooks). In the novel March by Geraldine Brooks, March ponders this question and contemplates several of the choices he has made during his fight for African American’s equality. After experiencing the cruelty of slavery and the hardships of war, March begins struggling to get a grasp of his morals and to fully cope with his guilt. Due to his life being constantly involved with slavery and the civil war, March is surrounded by violence. These scenes of violence, March’s actions during these cruel occasions, and the outcome of his choices are instrumental pieces to the theme of this novel.

Throughout all of his existence, March encounters violence. A piece of March’s life as a juvenile was spent living on a plantation as a guest. During his time spent on the plantation March meets Grace, an African American slave whom he quickly becomes entranced by. At the request of

Brooks illustrates a deeper meaning to the book through these actions of violence, which is the struggle of making decisions and the aftereffect of them. Because of his choice to instruct a slave how to read, March suffered his first consequence of violence. During the retreat across the river, March decided to save his own neck instead of putting his neck on the line. Not only in that scenario but also in the raid at Oak Landing, March decided to save himself. Although an attempt to rescue both of these men would almost certainly caused his death, March’s conscience torments him. Lastly, in his life-threatening attempt to save the captured slaves, even this courageous act ended in destruction. March’s emotions completely shattered. He became so overwhelmed with guilt that it was irreparable.The whole novel displays raw cases of violence like these, and the effect it has on a