# XII: The Great White Temple explained — Captain Jinks, Hero

> Chapter companion for Captain Jinks, Hero by Ernest Howard Crosby.

## What happens

Sam and Cleary journey upriver toward the Imperial City, witnessing horrific atrocities and the brutal treatment of natives. They encounter an Anglian officer who casually executes a wounded old woman. Upon reaching the Imperial City, Sam oversees the looting and burning of a great temple, where he reunites with Josh Thatcher, a former townsman who revels in the war's license. As the temple burns, a falling beam crushes Sam's leg, requiring amputation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Dehumanization

Graphic depictions of corpses, child victims, casual executions, and the dehumanization of natives as 'pigtails' to be shot at will.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Ambiguity

Sam and Cleary debate the hypocrisy of war critics versus the brutal reality; Thatcher's speech highlights the double standard between civilian and military morality.

### Media Manipulation and Public Opinion

Cleary brings newspapers that criticize the army's brutality, but Sam dismisses humorists as 'mere professional jokers,' showing the clash between media and military perspectives.

## Character check-ins

### Sam Jinks

Now a colonel, Sam journeys upriver, observes war atrocities, oversees temple destruction, and is severely injured by a falling beam.

### Cleary

Accompanies Sam, criticizes the brutality and hypocrisy of the war, and reports on the media's divided opinion.

### Josh Thatcher

A sergeant from Slowburgh, revels in the war's violence and looting, contrasts his criminal past at home with his rewarded behavior in the army.

### The Doctor

Surgeon who amputates part of Sam's leg after the injury.

### Rev. Dr. Amen

Mentioned as a supporter of the war and as praising Thatcher for looting.

## Key lines

> Some of the papers criticize us a little too. They say we are acting brutally here and in the Cubapines. Of course only a few say it, but their number is increasing.

Cleary notes that a growing minority of newspapers accuse the army of brutality in the colonies.

_Reflects the theme of media manipulation and public opinion._

> I say that criminals are just soldiers who ain't got a job—who ain't had any chance at all, I says. I wasn't ever judged right, I wasn't.

Thatcher argues that the only difference between a criminal and a soldier is opportunity, not character.

_Highlights the hypocrisy and moral ambiguity of war._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/captain_jinks_hero_se/chapters/xii-the-great-white-temple
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/captain_jinks_hero_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/captain_jinks_hero_se/chapters