Essay about Ambush. Book Review

Submitted By AmayaBear
Words: 533
Pages: 3

The narrator, Tim O’Brien, in “Ambush” is regretful, conflicted, and curious because of one decision that is haunting him. The narrator is regretful because he killed a soldier during the Vietnam War and now has to tell his daughter, Kathleen. The author emphasizes, “He told me that it was a good kill, that I should shape up and stop staring and ask myself what the dead man would’ve done if things were revised.” Based on this, it can be concluded that the narrator is haunted by the fact he had killed a soldier. The fact that O’Brien’s friend, Kiowa, has been trying to get him out of feeling upset by reminding him that they were part of a war. The author also implies, “I try not to dwell on it, but now and then, when I’m reading a newspaper, or just sitting alone in a room, I’ll look up and see the young man coming out of the morning fog.” All of this goes to show that O’Brien has been haunted every day since the incident. The fact that the narrator is haunted by what he has done shows that he can’t get the memory out of his head. The narrator is conflicted when Kathleen asks why he writes so many war stories and is practically forced to tell her the reason why. The author declares, “It was a difficult moment, but I did what seemed right, which was to say, “Of course not”, and then take her into my lap and hold her for a while.” Based on this, it can be concluded that O’Brien was not sure if he should tell Kathleen he has killed someone or not. The fact that she asked such a question and the narrator second guessing his response shows that he is haunted by what he has done because he doesn’t want his daughter thinking that he is a cold blooded killer. The narrator claims, “Sometimes I forgive myself, other times I don’t.” The argument that O’Brien has with himself shows how