Significance of Lester, Schneider, and Frink

The novel’s antagonistic military characters—Lester, and Generals Frink and Schneider—symbolize the dangers of militarism. Each of the three characters allows personal ambition to influence their decisions without a thought to the consequences for others. They believe that the ends justify the means, and seek to extend their own power in the name of American hegemony, cloaking their egotism in patriotic language. Schneider’s complacency and misogyny lead to his murder by mob and Inquisition; Lester’s aggression leads to his death by fiery rift in reality; and General Frink’s heedlessness and misplaced trust turns him into a mere puppet for Gráinne. For each man, a violent approach brings violence back upon him, demonstrating that militarism, once unleashed, cannot be contained.