Elroy Berdahl

While O'Brien already had the guilt trip covered, Elroy sure did help out. He didn't even have to say anything or ask any questions; he just knew. Elroy is a flat character. He is not complex and does not change himself, but he acts as a catalyst and brings about a change in O'Brien, thus making O'Brien a dynamic character. O'Brien describes Berdahl as having a "willful, almost ferocious silence" on page 47. Although Elroy never questioned him about his stay at the Tip Top Lodge or his strange behavior, he found a way to make young Tim O'Brien realize that he had to go back home. He never said a word, but his silence was enough to convince Tim that he would be making a mistake which he would regret forever if he jumped out of that boat and swam for Canada. The old man changed O'Brien's life with just six days of silence and an aura of wisdom.