The captain nodded. He folded his hand -clapped hand between his two knees. And what do you think about the peace treaty? asked. The child looked at the man sitting in his breast. But he sat back with his eyes closed. Then he looked at his thumb, and finally answered, "I don't know what it was."
In Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian," a significant moment unfolds when a captain engages a child about the peace treaty. The interaction highlights a disconnect between the adult's understanding of the complexities of peace and the child's innocent ignorance. Despite the captain's inquiry, the child seems lost in his thoughts, ultimately admitting his lack of knowledge regarding the treaty.
This exchange underscores themes of innocence and the harsh realities of the world. The captain, representing authority and experience, contrasts with the child's naivety. The child's inability to comprehend the gravity of such discussions reflects a broader commentary on how war and conflict impact society and the youth who inherit the consequences.
