Your Eyes as We Said Our Goodbyes

(O'Brien, 219-233)

Literary Term: Flat Character

Thoroughout this final chapter, the reader is introduced to Linda, a young child that suffered and died of cancer at a young age. Her death didn't end her involvement in Tim's life, who often thought of her as his first love. She was a humble, kind girl that remains that way after her passing. So, while her character has few personality traits, they are important for the development of Tim and his view of death. There is a touching scene of Tim recieveing a visit from Linda after her passing where she explains her mysterious contentment and happiness in being dead. The light descibed in her eyes represents innocent lives and innocent death. Her death began the fading of Tim's eyes, and his eyes simply got darker throughout his life and the war. However, even thought he lost an innocent view of the world, he still seems to have an innocent hope of peace for the dead. This must have helped him through the war, espeically during death.