Then came the matter of food. For ten hours he picked grains of rice off the floor and collected pasta, sugar, and individual tea leaves. He would not eat anything that had been tainted with blood, and was left with less than a third of his rations. Some things-powdered cocoa, for example-were uncollectible, or had risen on the wind. He had kerosene enough for one pot of boiling water and one hour of lamplight each day. Some of his blankets had bullet holes.
In "A Soldier of the Great War" by Mark Helprin, the protagonist spends ten exhausting hours scavenging for food, meticulously picking grains of rice, collecting pasta, sugar, and tea leaves off the ground. His strict principles prevent him from consuming anything associated with blood, which drastically reduces his available rations to less than one-third. He encounters significant challenges, as some food items, like powdered cocoa, are irretrievable, either scattered by the wind or simply too contaminated.
Additionally, he has limited resources, managing only enough kerosene for one pot of boiling water daily and an hour of light from his lamp. The harsh realities of war are highlighted by the condition of his blankets, which bear the marks of bullets, reflecting the dangers and deprivation of his surroundings. This stark portrayal emphasizes the struggle for survival amidst the chaos of conflict.
