6. Another (Small) Theme

“[H]e avoided situations that might put the two of them alone together. Eventually, after a week of this, the strain began to create problems” (pg 60, O’Brien). There was no time for Lee Strunk and Dave Jensen to argue over such a juvenile matter. If the argument would have lasted any longer, it could have had the ability to split the rest of t he platoon. This deems unnecessary in a war where they need to be united to not be defeated by a larger force. It is too bad Strunk was injured after they became friends, but good that their fight did not lead to the death of others. On the same topic of life and death, Jensen lucked out in not having to make the decision to Strunk’s life. In a war that abounds in death the decision of life over a promise seems to be the best choice a friend could make. Overall, unity and life seem to be the best decisions in carrying oneself out of the war alive.