Mortality is like the cold. It cannot be altered by human conceit or solidarity, and at the end you will be on your knees, in shock and amazement, and then you'll have only one sword, one shield, one great thing to carry you through." Alessandro waited to hear what that was, but his father would not say. "If you don't discover it yourself, it will be nothing more than an exhortation from me.
In "A Soldier of the Great War" by Mark Helprin, the theme of mortality is vividly compared to coldness, emphasizing its unchangeable nature. The protagonist, Alessandro, reflects on how human arrogance and solidarity cannot alter the reality of death. It suggests that when faced with mortality, individuals will ultimately be struck by a profound sense of shock and amazement at the fragility of life. This realization brings one down to their knees in humility, confronting the inevitable truth of existence.
Alessandro's father emphasizes that each person must discover their own source of strength or purpose to navigate life's challenges. He suggests that without this personal journey, any guidance he offers will merely be an empty call to action. The father’s words imply that true understanding and resilience come from within, and it is essential for Alessandro to seek out his own "sword" and "shield" to face the trials of life and death effectively.
