As a first-hand observer of the Civil War, the great American poet Walt Whitman once said: "The real war [of the spirit] will never appear in books. “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a horrific mental illness that afflicts thousands of soldiers each year. Besides being emotionally draining for the soldier, it also profoundly changes their family and family dynamics.” Soldier's Home” by Ernest Hemingway illustrates how this happens. Harold Krebs returns home after World War I. He must readjust to civilian life and relearn social norms. He also must learn about his family and their habits. The ramifications of post-traumatic stress disorder have a ripple effect on the life of not only the victim, but also those of the friends and family they relate to. Post-traumatic stress in "Soldiers Home" is exhibited in the play's main character, Harold Krebs. His life has completely changed after serving in World War I. To make matters worse, he decided to stay two years longer than...