Harold Krebs is a dynamic character because he goes through a change as a result of his confrontation with his mother at the end of the story. Throughout most of "Soldier's Home," Krebs, a World War I veteran, just wants his life to "go smoothly" and would like to avoid life's "consequences" after witnessing the horrors of battle. These consequences involve interpersonal relationships and, although he is interested in looking at the girls of his small Oklahoma town, he is unwilling to engage in the type of activity which would lead to a relationship:
But he would not go through all the talking. He did not want one badly enough. He liked to look at them all, though. It was not worth it.
Harold also avoids any meaningful emotional commitment to his family. When his sister says that Harold is her "beau," he is vague and noncommittal. She also says that if he doesn't go to her baseball game, he doesn't really love her. In the story's climax, Harold is confronted by his mother over his lack of initiative and general apathy about life. When he claims he doesn't love her, she emotionally blackmails him by breaking down and crying. This scene seems to change Harold. He is forced to abandon a life without commitment. In the story's final words, Harold is poised to get on with his life and a return to love and "consequences." His statement that he would attend his sister's game is symbolic of this return and a definite change in his character.
He wanted his life to go smoothly. It had just gotten going that way. Well, that was all over now, anyway. He would go over to the schoolyard and watch Helen play indoor baseball.
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