you know, a bayonet would be akin to a spear and be very effective at killing things. more so than bludgeoning things to death with the butt of your rifle.
Man, those first 5 chapters really are integral to the plot! If these 5 chapters were all condensed into a single quick chapter, I doubt everyone in the comments would be feeling this way!
I love how the author takes us along with the main character in this exposition. It really makes us become deeply attached and empathetic to the main character as we experience her hardships firsthand.