Jul 8, 2009 4
The Lords of Discipline
Author: Pat Conroy
Pages: 576
Year Published: 1980
I first read The Lords of Discipline in my senior year of high school as an assignment. Although we were normally given a couple of weeks or so as the class worked through the book, I believe I had read it in three days. I distinctly remember being told I couldn’t answer anymore questions because it was believed I would spoil the book for everyone else. What can I say. I was a scalawag.
The Lords of Discipline is the story of Will McLean, a senior private at the Carolina Military Institute (standing in for the prestigious and controversial Citadel) during 1967 – the year in which CMI will admit its first black cadet in the school’s history. A buildungsroman, the culture and milieu is based on Conroy’s own experiences as a cadet at the Citadel, while the plot is fiction. However, it’s a story of loyalty and betrayal, at its heart as well as, in some parts, a scathing commentary of military culture itself.
I had not read the book in twenty years, since I graduated from high school. At the time, it was the plot and the background which enthralled me. I was heavily into military culture at the time, steadfastly planning to enter into a ROTC program once I reached college. (I was already a four year veteran of my school’s NJROTC program.) Conroy’s novel, interestingly enough, was held in high regard by a lot of the core members and we all enjoyed the camaraderie felt by Will towards his roommates in particular. At the time I remember identifying with Will in the same way a lot of teenagers identified with Holden Caulfield.
Twenty years later, reading the novel brings back all the bittersweet memories of those days, but on top of all that comes another wonderful realization – Pat Conroy can write like a son of a bitch. This book is one of those rare gems that is a pleasure to read purely for the sake of the prose alone. Even if you’re not into military culture, or 1960’s Southern social issues, it’s still worth the read simply because there are few enough writers of this quality to begin with, you might as well read something by all of them. It’s really stunning.
However, the core of a novel is story and a well-told story it is. Will and his roommates go through hell and back in their senior year and some of the individual scenes are just wonderful. A particular favorite occurs at a carnival. I would say more, but I honestly wouldn’t want to spoil it. Conroy has a master’s control over pacing and characterization, allowing the story to build to its final climax, rather than forcing it. When the end comes, it feels very natural, instead of crafted.
The Lords of Discipline will be one of those books I recommend to just about anyone. I’d forgotten about it, honestly, for a long time, but having found it once again, it gains a high place on my shelf. Right now, that will be occupied by the dog-eared, spine-broken, well-loved paperback I was given in school. One day, it might be a better edition. If not, it will serve.
-K



