Blame it on the War

(O' Brien, 74)

Literary Term: Personification

"True war stories do not generalize. The do not indulge in abstraction or analysis....A true war story, if truly told, makes the stomach believe."

O' Brien has a habit of giving a human persona to war, war stories, and even the land of Vietnam. His motives for doing so could reflect his attitude toward his service; perhaps the war consumed him while he was there. He continuously conveys his weak status over his placement or commands. These stories give the impression that the men and soldiers have no control of the situation, just as O'Brien had no control over any of his service from the draft to the marching and fighting.
Or perhaps O'Brien brings war and Vietnam to life as a way to justify his involvement in war efforts. Instead of placing the blame of the war on anyone, he acts as if it is some third person in the battle to which both sides are losing to. He even makes war stories their own character, trying to explain the crazy things that happened. So by making these elements more human-like, the war becomes increasingly bizarre, reflecting the fear and confusion of the men that served.