15. Pun

The chapter titled ‘Field Trip’ has two separate meaning to its title. To Kathleen, visiting Vietnam was like a school field trip. Her introductory to exploring the world began with Vietnam. However, to O’Brien the return literally was a trip to the field. Not just any field, but the place where he was a soldier, but where his friend lost his life. The title field trip is a cover up for the real reason O’Brien wanted to return to Vietnam. Just like he hides the fact that he killed a man from his daughter, he titles this chapter gently so she may not encounter the circumstances of Kiowa’s death. He might have called it a field trip so his daughter would not understand the seriousness of the matter. That way her father could return to reflect and fulfill unfinished business.