The enemy

"The Enemy" by Richard Wilson is a science fiction story from the mid-20th century that considers war and what it means to be human. By comparing past and present conflicts, the story asks if it is ever right to kill in battle. Taking place in a bleak future, the story looks at how war can make soldiers seem less human and the mental harm it causes. A sergeant and a lieutenant are the main characters, watching over the battlefield. The sergeant thinks about how terrible it is to kill the enemy, showing he cares and doesn't want to fully accept violence. The soldiers talk about how the enemy soldiers are in some way safe or "frozen", bringing up big questions about life and death during wartime. As they struggle with the awful things happening around them, the story shows the inner battles of soldiers and how they struggle with the need to be human while also at war.