Visions of War Reading Response #2

Summary: The bravos get to the game and answer questions, meet people of texas and the owner of the Dallas cowboys. Billy meets a cheerleader who both seem very excitable and attracted to each other. They get intimate and the game goes on. 

Quote 1: “Hold!” before each spot, showing no more sensibility for the splendors of his subjects than a peeler at a meatpacking paint. Hold! -- snnnizzzck.” (Fountain 141) Onomatopoeia, metaphor.

Quote 2: “Hold! -- snnnizzzck, the shutter spasming like an old man’s sphincter giving way.” Simile

Quote 3: “Dread of returning to Iraq equals the direst poverty, and that’s how he feels right now, poor, like a shabby homeless kid suddenly thrust into the company of millionaires… This is what he truly envies of these people, the luxury of terror as a talking point, and at this moment he feels so sorry for himself that he could just break down and cry.” Simile, Paradox, Plot, Understatement. 

The paradox in this quote is a perfect example of the view on the war in this country. What Billy is trying to point out is that people are dying, America’s own, and others. The only thing the American people see is a talking point. They clearly do not grasp the reality of war. 

Quote 4: “That the war on terror may be as pure a fight between good and evil as we’re likely to see in our lifetime. Some even say it is a challenge put forth by God as a test of our national mettle. Are we worthy of our freedoms? Do we have the resolve to defend our values, our way of life?” Simile, perspective

This quote represents a part of the public that much better understands the reality of war. Since he wasn’t a soldier this may not be 100 percent accurate but it is much better than death as a talking point. This quote shows me that war is more than just death, it's a test, its fight for freedom, and our values. The soldiers are fighting for our lives, but also our livelihood. 

The message of war: These quotes help represent that war is death. That war is not just blood and guns, it's a war for freedom, livelihood, and values.  War is a test.

Hawkeye had lost 2 patients in this part of the novel because he thought he had taken care of his patient but he didn't realize that there was something that he did not see and it kind of affected him mentally because these were the first patients that have ever died after Hawkeye operated on him. There are just a lot of wounded soldiers coming in for like a week straight and they are busy for like 14 to 18 hours out of the day. Hawkeye didn't sleep for 3 days because he was busy taking care of wounded soldiers. and towards the end of this part of the novel hawkeye is getting flippy because he is irritated by the extreme heat and all the swamp men are getting hallucinations because they aren't drinking anything and it is hot out. Me lay and his wife adopted the baby that they had to perform surgery on.

¨Get somebody to adopt him .¨ Me Lay looked miserable. He lit a cigarette and sipped his drink.

¨That idea has been popping into my head since we operated on him,¨he said finally,¨But how can I do it ? Am I supposed to call up my wife and say I'm sending home a half-breed bastard from a Japanese whore house?¨ ¨You don't have to,¨ Trapper told him. Hawkeye called your wife last night. The deal is set. All you have to do is arrange the details.¨ (100 Hooker) My literary terms for this is Plot, Character because this shows what type of person I Lay is: Adopting someone else's kid as your own to give him a better life and it shows Me lay has a kind heart.

¨The surgeons said he was ready,¨ Ugly said. ¨These guys have been doing OK, so I haven't been arguing with them . . .¨ ¨Then don't argue with me,¨Hawkeye said. ¨So you're right,¨ Ugly said, ¨But I'll tell you this. ¨You Are getting pretty hard to live with, Pierce.¨ ¨And that kid on the table may be pretty hard for someone to live without,¨ Hawkeye said. Then he got into the case and took it over. He concluded it as quickly as possible. (120 Hooker)¨ This shows how the pierceś character understood what Ugly was saying and went and did surgery on the kid because he knew that he could do it better and the kid would have a higher chance of surviving surgery. 

¨He took a big pull on the scotch and said, ¨For christ's sake, colonel don't you realize that I blew this one? I almost killed your buddy with bad surgery. I got him out of trouble, but he never should have been in it!¨ (122 Hooker) This shows character because the duke is upset at himself because he failed the kid as a surgeon and the kid almost died because of bad Surgery.

¨The duke had already opened a can of beer, but he wasn't drinking it, he was crying into it. ¨And a Yankee too,¨ the duke said, to cover his embarrassment when he looked up and saw dago red. ¨You know something¨? The way I'm goin´ I shouldn't even be operating on Yankees. (124 Hooker) I think that this quote shows character and plot because it kind of gives the reader a sense of how these soldiers are feeling. I think the author's message in this story is more about the mental health of these soldiers because one committed suicide in the beginning of the Novel and the duke is going through something in his head because the patients are dying that he is operating on or he missed something when he was performing surgery.

In the second third of the novel it starts to pick up, Conrad begins to exhibit more harmful symptoms of trauma and of PTSD. He shows aggression for no reason (to both strangers and family), has impulsive thoughts involving self harm and violence and struggles with controlling his outbursts. In this section he gets in multiple fights with his on and off girlfriend and his family, he goes up to a summer home with his family and has an outburst at his parents and girlfriend for insisting he talk about his experiences in Iraq and while deployed. 

“‘You can’t help me,” Conrad said. . . Conrad jumped up and moved away. He didn’t want her to touch him.” (Robinson 204) Character, Plot, Foreshadowing 

“He liked hefting them, liked the feel of useful objects.” (Robinson 178) This quote is simple, and seemingly just a random comment made in a boring part of the book, but this quote was put into the book by the author very specifically. When looking at Conrad's actions up until that point this quote is especially important, Conrad prides himself on his physical and mental ability, he often talks about how many sit-ups or miles he can do and constantly compares himself to the citizens around him. He also does this with his feeling of superiority for having experienced more horrific things, he makes comments about people and how their happiness upsets him because he feels he and others made a much larger sacrifice for them to live comfortable lives blissfully unaware. This quote is a good indication of character because it highlights both his reasons for wanting to fight in the war and his mindset on leaving it. He likes to feel useful, when fighting the war he finds purpose and when he leaves he feels that he’s useless and struggles to find a way to fix it.

“He knew the schools were real, but they didn’t seem real.” (Robinson 178) Character, Foreshadowing, Plot 

“He thought of stopping, getting out of the car, and sending one kick into the dog’s chest. One kick. He knew how it would feel against his foot, the whole body rising up, borne into the air by his foot, the ribs breaking on the impact, splintering into the chest. He wouldn’t do this. Jesus. What was the matter with him?” (Robinson 163) Conrad throughout the story shows more and more escalations of violent behavior, but oftentimes his angry outbursts aren’t the only thing that show how much the military and war affected his mental health and mood stabilization. He often has intrusive thoughts (this one as an example) that cause him to have to physically restrain himself from committing violence towards himself and others. This quote shows foreshadowing because it highlights Conrad's anger issues and his angry outburst throughout the story. It also shows character because it highlights Conrad's mindset, even in day to day life he romanticizes and even fantasizes about violence. 

1. “Shut what off?” Jason asked. “How do you shut off your mind?” “You don’t shut it off. You just think about-you just think about what's right in front of you. You concentrate.” (99 Carpenter) Plot

2. “Yeah, it would be nice to have a pool when we go back” “well, a desert preferable to a jungle. Fewer bugs. Better weather.” (110 Carpenter) I think juxtaposition and imagery are good because in this quote it's comparing the desert to the jungle in how a desert is preferred compared to a jungle. Imagery because it’s describing why a desert is better than a jungle and it’s giving you a picture on why.

3. “Do you ever get scared?” Kip asked. “Nah, “said Jason. “Not anymore.” (98 Carpenter) I chose the plot because it’s showing how in the past a big thing happened and that it changed how he felt about life and his overall fear and or emotion over being deployed and getting lost.

4. “Someone broke into the house. I don't know who it was, and I don’t know what they wanted, but-they left.” (121 Carpenter)

This helped me understand war is it changes relationships for the better or the worst and some for the better.

In the 2/3 of my book The Sun Also Rises Jake and two friends get on a bus to go to a small town called Burgette. They sat on the top of the bus so they can soak in the countryside. They are going to Burgette to see a fish and bullfighting show. They hang out with Brett who they all like a bit. they go fishing, they then go to a 7 all day and all night festival that leads up to the famous bullfights. 

"And as for this Robert Cohn, Bill said, he makes me sick, and he can go to hell, and i'm damn glad he's staying hero so we won't have him fishing with us."(108 Hemingway) This quote is and example of Plot. 

"Were you ever in love with her?" "Sure." "For how long?" "Off and on for a hell of a long time." "Oh, hell!" Bill said. "I'm sorry, fella." "It's all right," I said. "I don't give a damn any more." This is the literary term character development. 

"Lookhow he knows how to use his horns, I said. He's got a left and a right just like a boxer."(144 Hemingway) This quote is an example of the literary term Metaphor. I think this quote is important to the story because it shows the point of bull fighting. The story is mostly about there life travelling and there enjoyment with this particular sport. It compares there life in Burgette to there life in America a way we can understand. 

"It was like certain dinners I remember from the war. There was much wine, an ignored tension, and a feeling of things coming that you could not prevent happening."

The message about war in this part of the book is that even after war you still have to live, you may have changed but there is still life after you come home from war. 

 In the 2nd part of the sun also rises not much more happens in this part, Jake and his friends leave Paris and go to Burgette to go fishing and to watch a bullfighting shows, all they would do is go fishing, drink , eat food and hang out with there girlfriends, Brett came with them and all of the guys kinda have attraction to her. At the end of there fishing days they went to a seven day bullfighting shows. Bill asked Jake is he was ever in love with Brett and he said for a hell of a long time.

¨and the square was hot, and the trees were green, and the flags hung on their staffs, and it was good to get out of the sun under the shade of the arcade.¨ (100 Hemingway) This quote is a example of imagery, this quote is about the town that they lived in and the living conditions so it is important because they lived there for the first ⅔ of the book.

 ¨¨And as for this Robert Cohn,¨ Bill said, ¨he makes me so sick, and he can go to hell,and Im damn glad hes staying here so we wont have him fishing with us.¨( 108 Hemingway) This quote is a example of plot because Bill is saying that he hates Robert and Robert is one of the biggest characters in the book. It is an important quote because there is conflict there between them.

¨“Were you ever in love with her?” “Sure.” “For how long?” “Off and on for a hell of a long time.” "Oh, hell!" Bill said. "I'm sorry, fella." "It's all right," I said. "I don't give a damn any more." This is the literary term character development. (Hemingway 98) This quote is a example of character development, Jake said that he was inlove with brett and was heart broken from it and now he is over it and does not give a damn about it.

¨Hes got a left and a right just like a boxer.¨( 144 Hemingway) This quote is an example of a simile because it is comparing two things using like or as. This is important because they are at the bull show and they are talking about how the bulls are just like boxers fighting. 

I think that the message about war is that even after you come back from war there still is a life after war and things will be different and hard but after war you can come back stronger.

During this part of the novel, we see Jake and Cohn's jealous side appear more. Brett ends up getting sick and she and Mike stay in San Sebastian regardless of Brett being sick Bill and Jake go on their fishing trip without Cohn because he wants to stay for Brett. Jake is very jealous of Cohn. They talk about war experiences and then Bill interrupts Jake and asks if he ever loved Brett and he said, “for a hell of a long time.” After not hearing anything from the other 3 Bill and Jake receive a letter from Mike saying Brett passed out on the train but she is better. Preparing for the Fiesta Jake hears Cohn and Brett laughing as they walk to their rooms. Jake soon realizes that he is suffering more in this friendship, he is so jealous that he doesn’t mind when Mike insults Cohn. The Fiesta begins and they all go to watch a bullfight and instantly Brett becomes fascinated with Romero. He dazzles her which makes Cohn jealous because he likes her. Mike Campbell cracks a few jokes about how Brett is falling in love. 

Character: Jake finds out that Brett and Cohn were in San Sebastian together, he is not thrilled about this. This affects the friend group more than Brett knows. "Brett look at me. 'I say,' she said, 'is Robert Cohn going on this trip?' 'Yes. WHy?' 'Don't you think it will be a bit rough on him?' 'Why should it?' 'Who do you think I went down to San Sebastian with?' 'Congratulations,' I said." This changes how Brett is going to act towards Cohn. (Hemingway 89)

Perspective: We get Bill's perspective and how he feels about war + his thoughts, "Listen. You're a hell of a good guy, and I'm fonder of you than anybody on earth. I couldn't tell you that in New York. It'd mean I was a faggot. That was what the Civil War was about. Abraham Lincoln was a faggot. He was in love with General Grant. So was Jefferson Davis...Sex explains it all." (Hemingway 121) The author's use of perspective here really helped as a reader to understand how Jakes's friends feel about him. Not only does Bill express a moment with Jake but they talk about the war, as readers, this was important because we haven't seen a conversation. Only jokes about the war or a quick witty response

Simile: After watching the Bullfighting Brett pretty much was falling in love with Romero one of the bullfights which made Robert Cohn very uneasy. "These bull-fights are hell on one," Brett said. "I'm limp as a rag." (Hemingway 173)

Imagery: It is important for the author to give the readers visuals to help grasp small details that help the story flow. For instance, the trip they all took to Spain. "There were long brown mountains and a few pines and far-off forests of beech-trees on some of the mountainsides. The road went along the summit of the Col and then dropped down, and the driver had to honk, and slow up, and turn out to avoid running into two donkeys that were sleeping in the road. We came down out of the
mountains and through an oak forest, and there were white cattle grazing in the forest. Down below there were grassy plains and clear streams, and then we crossed a stream and went through a gloomy little village, and started to climb again. We climbed up and up and crossed another high Col and turned along it, and the road ran down to the right, and we saw a whole new range of mountains off to the south, all brown and baked-looking and furrowed in strange shapes." (Hemingway 99)

My book seems to emphasize that everyone's perspective about war is different. Like Bill and Jake for example. Bill thinks strongly about homosexuality and says it's from the war, while Jake is trying to find a way to express how he feels, leaving us guessing his true thoughts. 

In the second third of my novel, it talks about Jason. The second third is mostly flashbacks of when Jason was younger and his time in the military. It talks about how he is thinking about spending more time in the military. It also talks about his father and what Jason thinks of him.

1. “It looked like a fold of bright fabric, like a dress, but that would mean a girl, and that would be impossible…” (Carpenter 94). Plot, juxtaposition, hyperbole. This quote represents plot, juxtaposition, and hyperbole because it would be possible for there to be a girl their.

2. “Their absence keeps us in orbit…” (Carpenter 123). Character, simile, imagery, perspective

3. “Kick down enough doors and most guys start thinking about other things” (Carpenter 151). Plot, character, perspective. This quote represents how trauma can change your mind.

4. “Of all the godfathers, this was the one who had held on and worked hard to stay involved in Jason’s life after David died” (Carpenter 132). Character, perspective

It takes place in a hospital at first then eventually continues following Joe's struggle with losing his limbs. Essentially not extremely eventful, showing how he copes with the fact he can't see, can't move, can't really do anything, etc... He also feels useless at many points and is going through a downward spiral of depression.

1. "A guy could stand a lot when he was awake. But when sleep came he deserved to forget everything. Sleep should be like death" (Trumbo, 95). -Simile, Perspective, Plot.

2. "Lying on your back without anything to do and anywhere to go was kind of like being on a high hill far away from noise and people" (Trumbo, 109). -Simile, Perspective, Juxtaposition, Plot.

3. "So did all those kids die thinking of democracy and freedom and liberty and honor and the safety of the home of stars and stripes forever? You're goddamn right they didn't. They died crying in their minds like little babies" (Trumbo, 117). -Simile, Juxtaposition, Plot.

4. "You're dead mister and you died for nothing. You're dead mister. Dead" (Trumbo, 119). -Repetition, Plot, Perspective.

Hawkeye had lost two patients by this point in the novel. He felt he'd taken care of his patients, but he didn't understand there was something he'd missed, and it had an emotional impact on him because these were the first persons Hawkeye had ever had die in his hands following an operation. There were wounded troops who came in for a week straight, which kept everyone working for 14-18 hours a day. Hawkeye hasn't slept in three days because he's been busy caring for soldiers, and at the end of this section of the novel, Hawkeye is becoming irritated by the extreme heat, and all of the Swamp men are experiencing hallucinations as a result of their dehydration and lack of sleep. The infant that they operated on was adopted by me and his wife.

  “It’s gotta end sometime,” Henry was saying. “It’s gotta end sometime.” “All actions and all wars,” Trapper John said, “eventually do.” (Hooker, 111) This quote supports the term plot. It demonstrates their dissatisfaction with the war. Even though they are not physically involved in the battle, they are still affected by it. 

  “That idea has been popping into my head since we operated on him,” he said finally, “But how can I do it? Am I supposed to call up my wife and say I’m sending home a half-breed bastard from a Japanese whore house?” “You don’t have to,” Trapper told him. Hawkeye called your wife last night. The deal is set. All you have to do is arrange the details.” (Hooker, 100) Character is a literary term I think fits really well here. It demonstrates the type of character Me Lay is by adopting someone else's child as his own in order to provide him with a better life. It also demonstrates Me Lay's kindness.

  “He took a big pull on the scotch and said, “For christ’s sake, colonel don’t you realize that I blew this one? I almost killed your buddy with bad surgery. I got him out of trouble, but he never should have been in it!” (Hooker, 122) This shows character because Duke is furious that he placed the man in jeopardy. Duke is furious with himself because he failed the kid as a surgeon and the kid almost died as a result of faulty surgery. I think it had an impact because Duke, like the rest of the men, is always joking, but we got to experience a non-joking moment, which is rare.

  “The duke had already opened a can of beer, but he wasn’t drinking it, he was crying into it. “And a Yankee too,” the duke said, to cover his embarrassment when he looked up and saw dago red. “You know something?” The way I’m goin’ I shouldn’t even be operating on Yankees.” (Hooker, 124) This quote, I believe, demonstrates plot since it offers the reader a sense of how these soldiers are feeling. I believe the author's message in this narrative is more about the soldiers' mental health because one of them committed suicide at the start of the novel, and Duke is going through something in his head because the victims he is operating on are dying or he missed something while doing surgery.

After being assaulted by her commander in the first part of the book, Kate switches stations so she won’t be working with him. However, she does not report him. She is stationed overlooking the prison camp, to make sure the prisoners don’t escape or riot. They throw things at her from the ground; feces, dirt, trash, scorpions, bugs. It’s only made better by Jimmy visiting her every day. Third Eye admits to Kate that she was also assaulted by the same person, but refuses to report it. Kate reports her own assault, hoping it will help out Third Eye who still has to work with the guy. However when she reports it, the Sergeant tells her the man who assaulted her already reported her and that if she were to report it she may be discharged or worse for indecency and destruction of government property. She denies to press charges because of this. Kate gives Naema a possibly fake letter from her brother, and Naema reads it alongside messages her father sent to her mother a long time ago. Back at the prison camp, a riot starts and prisoners pelt Kate with stones. Jimmy feels bad and handcuffs one of them, thinking he was the main rock thrower, and lets Kate beat him. Halfway through the beating though, Kate recognizes him: Naema’s dad, from the photograph Naema gave her. 

“So I try to be Jesus-Like and forgiving about it, the way Mom and Father Slattery would want.” (Benedict 98)

Simile, Irony?

It is a simile because Kate is comparing herself to Jesus. I added on Irony while its not exactly a literary term, but wanted to note how she was comparing herself to Jesus in a situation where she is preventing prisoners, innocent men, from escaping. I’m not religious but I wouldn’t say that's very Jesus-like.

“And what did we do when he slaughtered the Shia, my mother’s people, stole their water, dried up their fields and destroyed their livelihoods? We, too, can be sheep.” (Benedict 115)

Metaphor

Naema is comparing herself and her people to sheep here. In this case a reference of how they just go along with what the government does instead of fighting back, regardless of how wrong the things were. Following the herd, so to speak. 

“I almost took that course too, once, but when I heard you had to learn how to put needles in people’s veins, I gave up. Too squeamish.” (Benedict 182)

Paradox

“I wrench out of his grasp and try to help Naema’s dad up, so that at least he’s sitting and not lying at our feet like a kicked dog.” (Benedict 192)

Simile

The message of war in this section is that war can mess with people’s minds. In Kate’s mind, in the first quote, she’s a sort of savior, she’s helping. Yet she’s thinking this all while imprisoning innocent people and treating them awfully. Naema pre-war wouldn’t have been ok with half of the things that happened with the war, but now in the midst of it she grew complacent to it all.

In the second part of Slaughterhouse-5, it mostly follows Billy time traveling to his time in the war, along with a few of his companions. We also see some of his experiences with the Tralfamadorians, and how they’re treating Billy like he was an animal in a zoo. We see him in a Veterans hospital, where we are introduced to his fiance and his mother. And finally Billy and the others, in the war, who had been staying with Englishmen, were sent to Dresden, Germany, where they stayed in “Schlachthof-fünf” Slaughterhouse-5.

‘“...when seen all at once, they produce an image of life that is beautiful and surprising and deep. There is no beginning, no middle, no end, no suspense, no moral, no causes, no effects…”’ (Vonnegut 88)

PARADOX

“This volunteer was Edgar Derby, the high school teacher who would be shot to death in Dresden. So it goes.” (Vonnegut 98-99)

PLOT - UNDERSTATEMENT

This quote shows basically how desensitized Billy is to all of this death, not really batting an eye. He knows the outcome, nothing he can do about, and he moves on. And again with the “So it goes” showing how everyone moves on, because that’s how it goes. 

“‘..isn’t there some way you can prevent it? Can’t you keep the pilot from pressing the button?” “He has always pressed it, and he always will. We always let him and we always will let him. The moment is structured that way.”’ (Vonnegut 117)

PERSPECTIVE

I think this quote shows the predictability of life. In the sort of thinking that everything in life is predetermined, that everything is meant to be, and that you can’t change the outcome of life. All in this story, it shows that since Billy is a time traveler, he knows what is coming next, and yet, he never seems to try and change the outcome of his life- maybe he can’t.

“‘...and it is time for me to be dead for a little while and then live again..’ So Billy experiences death for a while.. There isn't anybody else there. Not even Billy Pilgrim is there.” (Vonnegut 142-143)

PARADOX - PLOT - UNDERSTATEMENT

These quotes and terms show that no matter what decisions you make in war, your life will still have the same outcome.

In the second third of my book, it is summertime and Henry spends most of his days with Catherine at the end of summer he receives a letter from the army saying that when he is discharged he will be given 3 weeks' leave before he can return. Henry then developed Jaundice while in the hospital and has to stay another 2 weeks. Miss Van Campen had then found empty bottles of alcohol and was convinced that he was purposely getting drunk so he would avoid going back to the front, she then reported him and he lost his leave. Later on, the war is not going very well back at the front and then men have lost all hope for the war to end. The day after Henry gets back he is ordered to take over the ambulance cars meanwhile up north the Germans and Austrians had broken through the line. Henry is in charge of the ambulance cars and they have to bring hospital supplies and equipment to Udine but a bunch of cars is blocking their way off the road so they take a turn down Main Street and behind them they hear bombing.

"Life isn't hard to manage when you've nothing to lose."(Hemingway 137)Perspective 

"Anger was washed away in the river along with any obligation."(Hemingway 232) Metaphor, This is a metaphor because he uses water and rivers as metaphors, and rivers are used to symbolize rebirth and anger. 

"It is only in defeat that we become Christian."(Hemingway 178) Understatement. Henry believes that people only become gentle and Christian in defeat. Humbleness and enlightenment come from the weak and not the strong. I also think that this statement has something to do with Catherine. Henry feels defeated not being able to be with her and hence vulnerable. It is this vulnerability and defeat that he equals to being a Christian.

“There isn’t anything anymore. Except victory.”(Hemingway 179) Understatement, Perspective. This quote is important because it shows where he’s at with war and how it’s made him feel. It is showing his perspective on war and the message that I am getting from this is that war takes away from everything else and makes it feel like you have nothing else to live for and that war is the only thing important so there is nothing else to live for.

In this third of the book, Bravo meets Norman Oglesby- the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. The Bravos spend a lot of time with Norm and other rich people hanging around fancy lounges and getting talked to and praised by these rich people. Billy also meets a lovely cheerleader named Faison. Billy and Faison get pretty close really fast, and Billy thinks he's in love and really wants to stay connected to Faison somehow. Bravo also gets a chance to meet the football players themselves to get some signatures on the footballs they were given, but it was kind of an awkward meetup. By the end of this third, they’re back in their seats in the stadium. 

“Sergeant Dime, for example, an awesome soldier who Billy has seen walking around calmly eating Skittles while mortars rained down mere meters away.” (Fountain 115) Character, plot, understatement, paradox.

“He doesn't know why he's so offended, but he is, maybe it's Mr. Jones’s gun that sets him off, something about the presumption of it, the ignorance, the sheer fucking ego of carrying around an instrament of deadly force. Like you know? You wanna see what deadly force can do? Bravo can show you, Bravo does deadly like you wouldn’t believe, the kind that will break your mind and make you wish you’d never spilled out of your mothers crack.” (Fountain 145) Perspective, character. This quote best shows Billy's character, because seeing someone in a place with a lot of rich people legally carrying a gun - presumably for security reasons - wouldn't be something that would set the average person off. But the fact that it upsets Billy so much really says something about who he is and how he thinks of guns and where they are and who has them. 

“When they lock lips again his pelvis drops and scoops into hers like a spoon driving into soft ice cream…” (Fountain 153) Simile, imagery. 

“‘Sure we could use the help. But - look, you wanna do extreme things, join the Army. They’ll be more than happy to send you to Iraq.’ The players snort, mutter cast pitying glances his way, Fuck that. Shee-uh Hell to the naw naw naw… ‘We got jobs,’”... “‘Go on,’ Octavian says, waving Billy away. ‘Go on now. Yo’ boy over there callin’ you.’ So Billy decides first chance he gets he’ll give his ball away.” (Fountain 187+188) Perspective, character, plot, paradox. This scene really stuck out to me because of the way Billy was faced with this kind of disrespect, and almost this sense of fake pity from the football players. This doesn't have any immediate paradox, but I only think of it when I compare it to the way all the other guests have been treating him so far in the day. Everyone has been praising him so lovingly, and now these players are here treating him like a joke. 

The message that correlates with this section is that war can numb your emotions in certain situations, but amplify them in others.

Billy meets a cheerleader named Faison and they instantly have a connection with each other. Billy then informs her that he is going back to Iraq Saturday and they both have a hard time with that. The Bravos then head to the Cowboys locker room and get autographs from the players and meet Ennis.

“Before they can ask him anything else Billy says thanks good luck nice talking to you, and leaves. He is definitely done getting autographs,” (Fountain 177) - Character, Understatement, Plot, Perspective - This shows that people don’t understand what Billy has been through and asking certain questions might make him uncomfortable. Perspective and Character is shown because the questions they asked might seem normal to them but it could bring up bad memories for Billy. I think this also shows plot and a bit of understatement because a lot of the regular civilians he meets aren’t aware of what happens overseas because you have to be there to understand it. 

“The producer lectures them. “I suggest you get serious real quick or we can forget it.” Norm is laughing as hard as the Bravos, but he urges them to settle down and play it straight.” (Fountain 168) - Character, Simile -- This shows that Norman has a sense of humor and this falls under character. I think this shows that Norman likes the troops.

“God… God-ly… Him… and… the light within… Jews,... the jews… Jerusalem… from the Jordan… to the sea… healing and annealing… goodness and light… died for us… his disobedient and gainsaying… people… died… died for us… died… Oh… my… Lord…” (Fountain 152) - Character, Repetition

“He is a large, dour, slope-shouldered man, in size and shape not unlike an old bull walrus. His skin is the same oatmeal shade as his salon-tinted hair, a bushy quiff that he combs straight back for a retro Deep South prison warden look.” (Fountain 173) - Character, Imagery, Simile

I think the most prevalent message throughout the book so far is that civilians don’t understand what Billy has gone through in war. For example, when people ask Billy about Iraq, repetition frequently occurs with the words being jumbled around the page in the book showing that his mind is going everywhere. 

Bravo rode to the stadium and when they arrived they were met by the cheerleaders.  They ended up on the field throwing around some footballs where they were disrespected by the maintenance crew.  This is when they met the owner and Billy met a cheerleader and seemed to have a connection with her.  They went to their seats when the game started and Billy got really emotional during the national anthem.  He had many thoughts of Iraq and the terrible things he experienced there. Billy also encounters the media and they start to ask him uncomforting questions about his experiences on his tour. 

“What did you do when you got to him?  Returned fire and rendered aid.” (136 Fountain) Plot

This also expresses how people didn't understand his feelings in this and you see how Billy's life has changed and his character development from committing felonies to being a hero and being celebrated for the worst day of his life. 

“Hardest mission? When we lost our guys.” (fountain 133) plot imagery 

There is also when Bravo was being interviewed they were being asked questions about his time in the war and I think this helps me understand his character development. 

“You can vote and die for your country but you can't walk into a bar and buy beer” (146 fountain) Perspective 

“It doesn't feel like anything not while it's happening” (fountain 176) imagery and perspective

In this part of the book, the bravo team is touring the stadium with the owner of the cowboys. They get to meet the cheerleaders. Billy gets to meet one named Faison after making eye contact throughout the day. And they quickly fall in love.

“So what it does, you know, yo M4.  When you pop somebody. Billy laughs” Character, juxtaposition, plot, pov (Fountain 177) This quote is good because it shows a lot of plot and juxtaposition. It’s showing the difference between ignorant civilians and soldiers, they have no idea that their question is offensive and rude.

“He just wants to sit here, with binoculars and watch everything.  The game doesn’t interest him at all but the people do,  the way the stream, for instance, rises off the players like a cartoon rendering of body odor” character, perspective, plot (Fountain 211) 

“Sergeant Dime, for example, an awesome soldier who Billy has seen walking around calmly eating Skittles while mortars rained down mere meters away.” Understatement, character, juxtaposition, pov (Fountain 115)

“I think God wanted us to meet today” character, plot, pov (Fountain 151)

I like this quote and think it really helps the story. It immediately shows what type of people they are and how much they love each other already, even though Billy soon has to leave.

I believe that the lit term “juxtaposition” is a huge part of the term “war”. The lives of soldiers and civilians are drastically different and this book really means to show it

At the 2/3 mark of my novel we see more training from Jason, and more of an insight into everyday things he has to do. We see Jason strongly consider quitting meanwhile many others are quitting. Jason decided to go home and surprise his mother, and he left while she was sleeping so he didn't have to say goodbye and see her upset face to face, although he did leave a note. 

1. "‘That’s f****d up,’ said Jason." “Children leave behind their mothers.” (Carpenter 100) -  Perspective, Imagery

2. “Discovering someone who had been so unhappy was like discovering a bomb that had been ticking inside an Academy classroom.” (Carpenter 101) - Simile, Imagery, Perspective

This quote really sticks out to me because of the simile being used. It really helps me understand the situation of realizing how upset someone actually is. This basically says that they are a ticking time bob so once they find out or a certain something is said they will explode as in be a mess. This quote develops the story because it makes us realize being in this field is hard, especially for your mental health but also your physical. 

3- “The cloths were red and hid the blood. Somehow that cloth humanized them. Somehow that cloth said, These were once my eyes.”(Carpenter, 148) - Imagery, an understatement.

4- “He would never forget an occasion and would move heaven and Earth as needed to not miss a game or even, in the rare case, a doctor's visit.”(Carpenter, 132) - hyperbole

This quote really helped me understand that there is never an excuse to give up on yourself and not follow your dreams. Though Jason didn't have his dad in his life he had his grandfather as a great role model. This quote really stresses hyperbole in which it is showing the effort from another role model/leader can really impact someone and make a change. 

In the second part of the novel Eleven Days Jason begins his training. Jason's training physically and mentally gets the best of him. Jason begins to struggle with training because he is afraid to fail and he is making mistake which could be detrimental to his team that he cares much about. Jason's motivation for staying in the Navy later begins to slip out of reach and he considers dropping out, but a chief convinces him to stay. 

"Jason did not hear about his friend again for a long time. Then, following his fourth deployment, while home for a brief leave before returning for what would become the mission where he would go missing..."(Carpenter 101-102) Imagery 

This quote describes imagery for Jason because it is describing a moment that is about to happen. This quote helped me better understand Jason was separated somewhere along the line from his team. 

"Throughout the first few deployments, Jason's peers have shed illusions, one by one. Once you have seen a man killed at close range, you will never see things quite the same way again."(Carpenter 106) Perspective 

This quote helps me understand where war leaves Jason mentally as a person. Perspective supports the quote because it is important information directly from a soldier who experienced war. 

"The cloths were red and hid all the blood. Somehow that cloth humanized them. Somehow that cloth said, These were once my eyes. But what was the cloth preventing them from seeing."(Carpenter 148) Understatement 

"She wont leave the house. Or doesn't seem to. When I call, she's always there. I don't know what she thinks is going to happen if she leaves."(Carpenter 156) Paradox

The message that is created in these lit terms is war is difficult on the soldier and family left behind. There are many challenges met that require support, without friends and family it is fair to say war would be very difficult to handle singly. 

Summary : In the second third of the novel, we see more training, and the everyday things he has to do. We see multiple people quit, and Jason also strongly considers it, but speaks to the Platoon chief, and decides not to.. We also see Jason go back home to surprise his mom, but leaves while she is sleeping in order to not have to say goodbye, although he leaves her a note. We also see him meeting and talking to a girl, and hanging out with her. 

¨Her face is puffy, slack, a new thickness has filled out her cheeks and lips.¨(p153) O´Brien. 

“ Its the fucking media who put all this stuff out there, they are blowing up everything out of all proportion.It is they who are responsible for the deaths that occur over there, day after day, and they should fucking well take the blame.” (Robinson 175) 

“Billy says no. He just wants to sit here with binoculars and watch everything. The game doesn’t interest him at all but the people do, the way the stream, for instance, rises off the players like a cartoon rendering of body odor”. ( Fountain 211) 

"Certainly of there are mermaids in this river, we'd be just plain foolish not to grad a few of them" (Hooker 141)