In "Rainbow Valley," the narrative reflects on young Jem's aspirations to become a soldier and fight in significant battles. However, this ambition seems distant, as his mother, proud of her first-born, holds a contrasting perspective. She reminisces about the past but is grateful that such fierce and brutal times of conflict have passed, allowing her sons to grow up in peace.

The mother finds solace in the idea that Jem and his siblings will not have to engage in war for historical or ancestral causes. This sentiment emphasizes a longing for a peaceful world, where the youth can pursue their dreams without the shadow of battle, highlighting both hope and the desire for a future devoid of violence.