Posted by Jock on January 05, 2007 at 08:04:58 from 87.105.81.146 user Jock.
In Reply to: CASABIANCA posted by Ed Kiser on January 05, 2007 at 00:34:12:
The poem praises an unquestioning obedience that seems almost
unreal in today's world. But I imagine that in that very
different world such attitudes were regarded as amongst the
highest of virtues,
Unquestioning obedience is all very well and is still taught in
the armed forces, but Britain's [I use the word in the political
rather than geographical sense] Special Air Services are taught
a more complex form of obedience and authority. The mission is
all-important and its sucess has to safeguarded regardless of
the death of a commanding officer or changing circumstances.
AR seems to be teaching this devolved management style rather
than unquestioning obedience. Titty's resourcefulness when she
captures Amazon during John's absence is a good example.