It has often been described as an anti-militarist and an anti-war novel, but March maintained that the content was based on truth and should be viewed as an affirmation of life.
Teosta on usein sanottu sodanvastaiseksi romaaniksi, mutta March itse sanoi, että sisältö perustuu todellisuuteen ja sitä on pidettävä elämän puolustuspuheena.