# War and Disillusionment in Calvary

> Theme guide for Calvary by Octave Mirbeau.

The Franco-Prussian War is depicted as chaotic, senseless, and dehumanizing, with soldiers driven by selfishness and despair rather than patriotism, highlighting the futility and brutality of conflict.

## Where it surfaces

- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/calvary_se/chapters/ii): The chapter vividly portrays the horrors and futility of war, from the refugees' exodus to the soldiers' fear and the general's incompetent orders.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/calvary_se/chapters/xii): The narrator's memory of killing a Prussian soldier parallels his guilt over killing Spy, showing war's lasting trauma.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/calvary_se/themes/war_and_disillusionment
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/calvary_se/themes