Richie Perry, the novel’s protagonist, enlists in the army mainly to escape his problems—a bad relationship with his mother, a lack of opportunity in Harlem, and an uncertainty about his future. He finds himself in the middle of a war that is more confusing and traumatic than the life he fled. Richie’s understanding of his part in the war is unknown to him. This shows that Richie is ambiguous about himself. He also says, “I hadn’t been too worried about going to Nam. From what I had heard, the fighting was almost over any way.” This statement shows how credulous Richie can be. Later in the story he meats a guy named Jenkins. One night Richie and Jenkins go on night patrol with their squad. On their way back to the camp Jenkins steps on a lan
Lieutenant Carroll is the leader of Richies squad. After hearing about Jenkins death he leads a moving prayer, “Lord, let us feel pity for Private Jenkins, and sorrow for ourselves, and all the angel warriors that fall.” By him taking this action he showed how compassionate he is. “My father used to call all soldiers angel warriors,” he said. “Because usually they get boys to fight wars. Most of you aren’t old enough to vote yet.” He tells the soldiers this after the prayer for Jenkins. Him telling the soldiers that he shows them that he is sensitive towards them. He feels bad about them because the soldiers are really young and are already put to fight in war, instead of living in their homes with their family and friends. With this he al
Example Essays Home
