How does the first half of "The War Prayer" function to support Twain's purpose?
A. The narrator has a flippant and sarcastic tone, similar to Twain's attitude toward the concept of "war prayers"
B. The solemn tone lays the groundwork for a serious and detailed proposal for getting out of the war.
C. The stranger's speech points out the hypocrisy of the prayer, which reflects Twain's own opinions of the public conversation about war.
D. The pastor's speech skips over the realities of war in the name o patriotism, which shows how Twain feels about public conversations regarding war.
D. The pastor's speech skips over the realities of war in the name of patriotism, which shows how Twain feels about public conversations regarding war.
In "The War Prayer," the first half portrays a pastor leading a congregation in a prayer for victory in war. However, this prayer omits the cruel realities of what that victory would entail. It skips over the pain, suffering, and death that would occur as a result. This reflects Twain's critical perspective on how the public, driven by fervent patriotism, often overlooks the harsh consequences of war when offering support or prayers for their nation's success. This part of the story establishes the setting and the prevailing attitude towards war, which is later juxtaposed with the message of the stranger, forcing the reader to confront the grim implications of their seemingly innocent wishes.