The Children's Campaign by Pär Lagerkvist
"The Children's Campaign" by Pär Lagerkvist presents a unique and thought-provoking narrative set in a nationalistic society where children are integral to the country's defense. The story revolves around a children's army, comprising boys aged six to fourteen, who are organized and respected as a formidable military force, while girls serve as nurses. Following an insult from a more powerful nation, the children's army is mobilized to retaliate, showcasing their efficiency and discipline as they embark on a victorious campaign.
Throughout the narrative, the children demonstrate remarkable bravery and resilience, winning numerous battles with minimal losses. The media passionately chronicles their exploits, further elevating their status as national heroes. However, the story takes a darker turn as a tragic battle results in mutual annihilation, leading to a stalemate where neither side can claim victory. Even amid hardships, the children's unwavering commitment to their cause remains evident.
As the war progresses, the children strategically adapt to their challenges and ultimately secure victory over the enemy, leading to a celebratory return home. The narrative explores themes of innocence, the burdens of nationalism, and the complexities of war, raising questions about the roles of youth in conflict and the nature of heroism. This rich tapestry of ideas invites readers to reflect on the implications of such a scenario in a broader societal context.
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The Children's Campaign by Pär Lagerkvist
First published: "Det lilla falttget," 1935 (English translation, 1954)
Type of plot: Satire
Time of work: 1978
Locale: An anonymous country
Principal Characters:
The children , who compose an army in a militaristic nationThe adults , who compose the army and the civilian population of a neighboring country
The Story
At the beginning of "The Children's Campaign," the reader is introduced to a nationalistic and militant society, in which children play an integral role in the country's defense. The children between the ages of six and fourteen constitute a highly respected and beloved children's army, which they command, train, and organize without adult intervention. The boys serve in the army corps, and the girls are allowed to volunteer as nurses.
An apparently inferior country insults, in some manner, this more powerful, unified nation, and the children's army receives permission to retaliate by launching an attack, which begins in the spring of that year.
As war is declared, the army of youths demonstrates its efficiency: Within a day, it is mobilized and ready to defend its country's honor. After a patriotic speech by the twelve-year-old commander in chief, the troops leave for the offending country, where their campaign begins victoriously.
By the summer, the children have nearly reached the enemy's capital, having won many battles and sustained comparatively few losses. Their heroism and discipline and their dedication to their mission are admired at home, where the media devotes specified times of day for reports on the progress of the popular war.
The bravery of the children is chronicled in detail: They defy death and bodily injury, and not a complaint is recorded. Moreover, the children's army is superior to the army of the enemy—a nonmilitaristic nation—in armed combat, military tactics, and troop discipline; only the physical size of the children prevents success in hand-to-hand combat and in the effective pursuit of defeated enemy forces.
As the strengths and weaknesses of the two armies are compared, it is clear that the children have important advantages: more soldiers, better organization and command, and superior skills and training. The enemy army's advantage is mainly the larger size of its soldiers, although the army's military skills do improve somewhat as the war continues.
Just before autumn, a simultaneous offensive strike results in a tragic battle in which the troops on both sides are annihilated. This battle indicates a stalemate because after it, neither army can truthfully declare victory, although both do. Both armies are forced to regroup and continue maneuvers from trenches, while the winter rains prevent further progress.
During this time, the morale of the children's army is decidedly higher than that of the enemy. The children endure great hardships, but not a complaint is uttered. Even during Christmas, the children remain dedicated to their cause, launching several attacks.
The stalemate continues until spring, when offensives are begun in preparation for the decisive battle. At one historic point in the war, the enemy discovers a weakness in the children's formation, enabling them to force a retreat of the children's army. The children, however, are able to turn this event to full advantage by encircling the advancing enemy and pressing for victory from all sides.
As the children gain the enemy's capital, the war is declared over, the children return home to a victory parade, and the troops are dismissed. A full account of the war is entered in the nation's annals, and the date of victory is to be commemorated forever after.