Literary Analysis: The Living and The Dead
Essay by Keshawilliams82 • November 1, 2016 • Essay • 547 Words (3 Pages) • 2,702 Views
Takesha Williams
Professor Danielle Miller
ENC1102
09/18/2016
Literary Analysis: The Living and the Dead
At First when I started reading this story it appeared to be just another war story, but my mind was not ready for the fascinating story that lied ahead. According to (MEA Editors) when they did a book review of "The Living and the Dead" they stated that is a “powerfully moving and timelessly compelling account of bravery, friendship, struggle, and sacrifice in the face of unimaginable tests”. “It is an unforgettable tale of battles that continue to rage long after the final shot has been fired”. I could not agree with them more. This is a breathtaking story.
Brian Mockenhaupt merged personal experiences with a sense of place in this reading. There were times in this piece that I actually thought I was searching for IUD’s and fighting right alongside of Tom and his platoon. His use of the two non-fiction forms made the story incredible and moving at the same time, taking your mind on an adventure for sure.
The iconic phrase in the reading according to (MEA Editors) is as follows: "The worst feeling," Sergeant Tom Whorl scribbles in a small spiral notebook, surrounded by nameless enemies in a strange and hostile landscape, "is not knowing when your last step will be. That’s what takes a toll on your brain." With those simple words, a courageous man fighting a war that many would just as soon forget about captures the gut-wrenching day-to-day, life-and-death struggles and triumphs of the men of Patrol Base Dakota. It is a wonderful rendition of what the troops go through when they are sent into war to fight for freedom. War stories are wonderful in a way that they capture you while reading or hearing them and puts you in the story as if you were there with them.
Their story happens to unfold at a Marine encampment in southern Afghanistan, but it could be the story of young American soldiers in any war as many soldiers share the same stories, trying to do the job when doing the job
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