Genre
Biographical Memoir
Setting and Context
Primarily in Afghanistan during 2005
Narrator and Point of View
Told from the point of view of Marcus Luttrell
Tone and Mood
Intense, Upsetting, Violent, Solemn, Thrilling, High-Energy
Protagonist and Antagonist
Luttrell and his fellow Navy SEALS (protagonist) vs. The Taliban (Antagonists)
Major Conflict
Luttrell's struggle to survive the ordeal in Afghanistan in spite of a seemingly insurmountable attack by the Taliban
Climax
When Luttrell is finally saved
Foreshadowing
The book's title foreshadows the outcome of the mission.
Understatement
Luttrell's sheer luck is often understated in the book.
Allusions
Because this is a non-fiction book, there aren't many allusions. However, the book alludes to the geography of the United States, Afghanistan, and Iraq, religion (Christianity and Islam), the Bible, and the history of Luttrell and his family, the United States, and Afghanistan.
Imagery
N/A
Paradox
The SEALS acted paradoxically in not killing the goat herder
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Hell Week = the most grueling week of training during Navy SEAL BUDS class.
Personification
The hills and mountains of Afghanistan are often personified in the book
