His use of hyperbole also illuminates what Twain believes to be the foolishness of war, especially the foolishness of patriotism and religion in relation to war.
Type of Satirical Technique: Hypocrisy Examples: The multiple mentions of praying serve as examples of the use of hypocrisy. As an example, the congregated masses in the church pray, Twain saying, “Then came the ‘long’ prayer” (para. 5 ).For instance, when the old man comes into the church readying for war “Bearing a message from Almighty God,” he starts a prayer, “Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth into battle,” finishing, he says, “O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead” (para. 11 ).
Link to argument: Most religions of the world were founded on the principle of peace. Thus, by incorporating hypocrisy, Twain is asserting that incorporating religion in war (and war itself) is