Genre
Memoir
Setting and Context
The memoir is written in the context of the Vietnam War.
Narrator and Point of View
First-person narrative
Tone and Mood
The tone is disappointing, and the mood is melancholy.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The main character is Tobias Wolff.
Major Conflict
The main conflict is that the USA's army propagated violence in Vietnam and subjected the Vietnamese to abject poverty and suffering. The US army disregarded differentiating between the innocent citizens and the Viet Cong.
Climax
The climax is the revelation by Wolf that not every soldier is a hero. In his memoir, Wolf sets the record straight to notify the world of his weaknesses and strengths while serving as a soldier in the Vietnamese war.
Foreshadowing
Wolff's deception and failure to keep his promises is foreshadowed by his falsefully acquisition of a colored television set.
Understatement
The role of the US army in Vietnam is understated. For instance, the primary role of the army was to eradicate the Viet Cong. However, the army ended up causing violence and suffering to the innocent citizens who did not deserve to suffer anymore.
Allusions
The story alludes to the US’s role in the Vietnamese war.
Imagery
The imagery of war is dominant throughout the book. The description of the deaths and violence depicts sight to readers, which helps them see the events that unfolded during the war.
Paradox
The main irony is that the US army meant to bring reprieve for the Vietnamese citizens did the contrary because it further fueled the violence.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Heroism is a metonymy for sacrifice and dedication to serving humanity.
Personification
N/A
