16. Child's Play

I find the chapter ‘The Ghost Soldiers’ ironic in several ways. First, O’Brien always expressed how young his platoon was and how sometimes they played games and acted immaturely. For example, the game surrounding Curt Lemon’s death or the jokes after Ted Lavender’s death. O’Brien makes himself seem like he is not a part of this foolishness. However, he is quite the opposite in this chapter. He acts like a child who did not get his way and wants revenge. Yet, the prank itself was not childish, for he targeted Jorgenson right in the heart of fear. Second, O’Brien is no longer a part of his platoon, and the man who made his life miserable has taken his place. After the months they spent together, in the wilderness, it is a surprise that such a bond diminished. Lastly, O’Brien ponders the idea of retuning to the ‘bush’ even though he is much safer now. He makes the ultimate fear of death come alive. The fact of knowing your life is in danger, which makes you accept everything about it. That feeling. However, in O’Brien’s situation I would be thinking that third time’s a charm. =/