[Jerry8538]

What does this have to do with the "good times create weak men" stuff?

[eszed]

Fitzgerald's thesis in this passage is that the western powers' prosperity in the 1890s and 1910s - and, more broadly, the social capital built by their national identies across the entire 19th century - created a generation "tough" enough to endure their unspeakable mutual slaughter on the western front.

If he is correct, then it refutes the proposition that prosperous societies are "soft".

[honkycat]

Maybe you should do some studying to improve your lateral thinking, because it is extremely obvious.

[bardackx]

I didn't get it either, it might not be that obvious, or one might need extra context

[mock-possum]

rude.