Why is war so much like a practical joke? she thinks. Hiding behind bushes, leaping out, with not much difference between Boo! and Bang! except the blood. The loser falls over with a scream, followed with a foolish expression, mouth agape, eyes akimbo. Those old biblical kings, setting their feet on conquered necks, stringing up rival kings on trees, rejoicing in piles of heads – there was an element of childish glee in all of that. Maybe it's what drove Crake on, thinks Toby. Maybe he wanted to end it. Cut that part out of us: the grinning, elemental malice. Begin us anew.
Toby reflects on the absurdity of war, comparing it to a practical joke where the excitement of surprise can quickly turn deadly. She notes how the chaotic nature of conflict often resembles a childish game, with one side emerging as the victor while the other faces grim consequences. The imagery of defeat evokes a sense of foolishness, with defeated enemies left in a state of shock, highlighting the absurd harshness of...
