The first scene opens with Colonel Robert Shaw, who appears regretful in delivering some news about wage deduction to his battalion. He is evidently discontent with the news, discreetly asking if anything can be done and sympathising with his unit. Different from him, however, his battalion acquiesces, with only one person, Private Trip, protesting. Trip's words eventually reach his team-mates, and they all rip their cheques in unified protest. Expectedly, Colonel Shaw sides with the men and rips his cheque as well, saying he won’t get paid if his men won’t. What can be seen here is two approaches to the same problem- restriction of freedom. Private Trip acted in the spur of the moment, protesting the instance of the news. Colonel Shaw’s approach, which we never actually get to see due to Trip acting first, involved protesting to the War Department later on. Colonel Shaw has intended for his battalion to keep their cheques and protest...