Characterization

O'Brien's strategy for characterization in the novel is telling stories from different characters' points of view. In Norman Bowker's case, the story about how he "almost won the Silver Star" (135) shows his feelings about the war and what kind of man he is. He cares about honor, although that probably applies to most of the men in the war. The fact that the story concerns his father shows that he looks up to his father. His relationship with his father is important to him, and he cares what his father thinks. O'Brien does this with almost every soldier in the novel which gives them all a personality. By giving the men personalities, O'Brien makes their stories more believable. He also creates a bigger, better picture of life in Vietnam.