Character Fates
This character was killed while high on tranquilizers in the woods.
Who is Ted Lavender?
Tim O'Brien believes a true war story is about this instead of factual accuracy.
What is emotional truth?
In "On the Rainy River," Tim O'Brien flees to this location to avoid the draft.
What is the Canadian Border?
The baby water buffalo in the story symbolizes this aspect of the war.
What is dehumanization and violence of war?
This quote by Tim O'Brien reflects his guilt about conforming to societal pressure instead of acting on his beliefs.
What is "I was a coward. I went to war"?
This soldier shot himself in the foot to escape the war.
Who is Rat Kiley?
This quote by O'Brien in "On the Rainy River" reveals his guilt about falling victim to societal pressure instead of following his conscience.
What is "I was a coward. I went to war"?
Tim O'Brien ultimately goes to war for this reason, even though he does not support it.
What is fear of shame or societal pressure?
This accessory worn by Mary Anne symbolizes her transformation during the war.
What is a necklace of tongues?
The quote "And in the end, of course, a true war story is never about war" suggest that true war stories are about this instead.
What are emotions and lessons?
This soldier died in a sewage field during the war.
Who is Kiowa?
The death of this character represents the senseless loss and chaos of war, as he dies in a sewage field.
Who is Kiowa?
Dave Jensen feels this emotion after learning of Lee Strunk's death in the helicopter.
What is relief?
The sewage field where Kiowa dies is a symbol for this aspect of the war.
What is its senselessness or the filth of moral and literal war?
This character explains why the dancing girl's actions don't need an explanation, saying, "She just liked to dance."
Who is Henry Dobbins?
This character is found dancing with a necklace of tongues.
Who is Mary Anne?
The dancing girl in "Style" symbolizes this emotional response to tragedy.
What is resilience or grief?
Rat Kiley tortures a baby water buffalo for this reason.
What is grief or anger over his best friend's death?
The action by the dancing girl in "Style" reflects her incomprehensible grief after the death of her family.
What is dancing with her palms over her ears?
Tim O'Brien's stories are his way of coping with his condition caused by his experiences in Vietnam.
What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
This person provided Tim O'Brien with time and space to reflect on his draft notice.
Who is Elroy Berdahl?
The friendship and loyalty between Dave Jensen and Lee Strunk highlight this theme of the bonds formed during war.
What are promises or camaraderie?
This pact between Dave Jensen and Lee Strunk causes tension when strunk loses a leg in combat.
What is the promise to kill each other if seriously injured?
What is moral accountability or standing up against cruelty?
The narrator's trip to Vietnam years later represents this symbolic act of healing and reconciliation.
What is making peace with his past or cleansing himself of the war?