Chapter 7

"How to Tell a True War Story"

Important Sections of the Chapter

1). "A true war story is never moral. It does not instruct, nor encourage virtue, nor suggest models of proper human behavior nor restrain men from doing the things men have always done." (pg. 68)

ANALYSIS

This vignette is complex. It is yet one of the hardest to understand because in it, author O'Brien draws a fine line between the fact and the fiction. 

For instance, the fact that he uses the expression "a true war story" suggests that he considers this novel factual when in reality, many of the situations described are fiction. This intended use of diction confuses us readers and makes us consider the possibility that the vignette is true and hence, the entire novel.

2). "In many cases a true war story cannot be believed. If you believe it, be skeptical. It's a question of credibility. Often the crazy stuff is true and the normal stuff isn't, because the normal stuff is necessary to make you believe the truly incredible craziness." (pg. 71)

ANALYSIS

The proper techniques to tell a "true war story," are discussed above. Narrator O'Brien offers his own opinion of what makes a war story real claiming that "often the crazy stuff is true and the normal stuff isn't".

This suggests that he intends to persuade the audience to doubt whether or not the vignettes within his novel are true, saying that if some event he describes is apparently impossible then it is most likely truer than the situations that appear "normal." However, the distinction he makes between fact and fictional is so subtle that readers cannot seem to part one from the other. 

3). "War is hell, but that's not half of it, because war is also mystery and terror and adventure and courage and discovery and holiness and pity and despair and longing and love. War is nasty; war is fun. War is thrilling; war is drudgery. War makes you a man; war makes you dead." (pg. 80)

ANALYSIS

O'Brien's definition of war, is that it is contradictory and ambiguos; it represents many things. 

War cannot be defined by a mere adjective because it has many different sides, like a dice in a game board. War is different for all soldiers that experienced it and  consequently the impact of them is varied because for some it might be a thrilling event and for others, it might make them dead.