The era of the Civil War was a time of strongly held beliefs, deep emotions, and grandiose actions. By today's standards, some of it may seem trite or excessive, but for that time, it was sincere. Some of the themes in this area are
Class structure: Class distinctions are very strong, especially in the South. It is an aristocratic structure where gentlemen are an exclusive club, and to be a Virginian is the best. They are refined, wealthy, powerful, and ruled by a code of chivalry. Honor is everything, and a man would die to save or recover his honor. This theme figures prominently in many of the Southern characters in the story, especially Armistead, Garnett, and Pickett. It is also something the Englishman, Fremantle, recognizes at once and admires for its closeness to England.
The North is just the opposite. The class constraints of the Old World are despised and rejected. Instead, the culture is composed of immigrants seeking freedom from that world. They want only the chance to be judged for who they are and what they can do, not who their father was. The character of Kilrain portrays this very strongly, as does Buford, whose comments and observations about "gentlemen" and their methods of battle, are laced with sarcasm.
