the sob stories

[VicNicSor]

Florence made love with Robert in his private room in the school. Judd, who works in the school as a driver, supply/maintenance manager, as he says, saw them doing that through the window. Also Robert and Judd hate one another, he thinks she likes Robert because he is a war "hero", so he tells her:
JUDD: Women. Just lap up the sob stories, don't you? They were sent, you know. They didn't sign up. Suddenly they're heroes.
FLORENCE: How dare you! You did nothing, and you think you can mock men like him?
The Awakening, movie

Does by "the" he mean specific sob stories about WWI?
Thanks.

 

[bibliolept]

Since there's an immediate reference to "sent" and "heroes, "sob stories" probably applies to military service. Obviously, it could also extend to any story of misfortune or suffering that might elicit tears, compassion, pity, etc.

 

[VicNicSor]

Since there's an immediate reference to "sent" and "heroes, "sob stories" probably applies to military service. Obviously, it could also extend to any story of misfortune or suffering that might elicit tears, compassion, pity, etc.

But what is the reason for "the" being used? If it was omitted, would the meaning change?

 

[GreenWhiteBlue]

Adding "the" emphasizes that they are sob stories, as opposed to amusing stories, or interesting stories, or instructive stories, etc.

 

[se16teddy]

The suggests that the same old sob stories come around again and again, possibly from the same old story-tellers, or the usual kinds of story-tellers.

 

[VicNicSor]

Thank you everybody.