Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
What war has always been is a puberty ceremony. It's a very rough one, but you went away a boy and came back a man, maybe with an eye missing or whatever but godammit you were a man and people had to call you a man thereafter.
Summary
This quote portrays war as a transformative experience that marks a transition from boyhood to manhood. Despite the harshness and challenges of war, it asserts that soldiers return as men, having grown and matured through the crucible of conflict. It suggests that war strips away innocence, replacing it with the realities and responsibilities of adulthood, even if it comes at a considerable cost. The quote highlights how the experience of war profoundly shapes an individual's identity and commands societal recognition and respect.