Military obedience can mask a private rebellion against authority itself

Evidence

At heart, he’s on Lucifer’s side, Grange realized, startled by the sympathy that impelled him toward the captain, only he’s a specialist: he sees God with stars on his shoulders. — Julien Gracq, Balcony in the Forest, 258

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Julien Gracq, Balcony in the Forest, 258
• XREF: connects to: Breaking military taboo evokes a sense of sacred transgression, not mere action — Julien Gracq, Balcony in the Forest, 474; Morale influences combat power based on the military and their will, consisting of persuading the armed forces. — The role of military morale as an essential dimension of combat power; Gesture and claimed rebellion do not constitute genuine freedom. — Hilary Mantel, A Memoir of My Former Self- A Life in…, 272 (+10 more)

Broader Connections

• Subtler punishment masked sovereign power rather than making it more humane #complicates (0.42)