What is the main message of the story “an episode of war” by stephen crane? a) people get what they deserve b) people are victims of circumstances c) good triumphs over evil d) people can control what happens to them

I'd say the answer is B, people are victims of circumstances. The lieutenant was shot and had to have his arm amputated. It isn't specified what the battle was about or what side he was on so we can't say it is A or C because it takes those certain details to come to the conclusions that people get what they deserve and good triumphs evil. Moreover, people cannot control what happens to them as we saw. The lieutenant got shot, something he wasn't controlling, and he had his arm amputated, something he clearly objected to but still had done. He had absolutely no control of anything throughout the story. Therefore, the only logical answer would be B