How does Leper's story culminate, and what does it reveal about the effects of war on individuals?

• A. Leper deserts, becomes paranoid, and his breakdown reveals war's impact on identity.
• B. Leper becomes a celebrated hero.
• C. Leper moves away and forgets his experiences.
• D. Leper wins a scholarship.

Answer: (A)

The situation tests how extreme stress from war can unravel a person’s inner life and sense of self. Leper starts as a gentle, nature-loving boy, but when he enlists, the rigid, intimidating world of the military pushes him toward fear and instability. He ultimately deserts, and his mental state deteriorates into paranoia and a breakdown that makes him seem a shadow of his former self. This collapse shows that war can do more than wound bodies; it can fracture identity and sanity, revealing how deeply external conflict can reshape who a person is.

That’s why the other ideas don’t fit. He isn’t portrayed as a celebrated hero, nor does he simply move away and forget his experiences, or win a scholarship. The focus here is the psychological cost and the way war exposes the fragility of individual identity.