Ghostly Revenge

Tim O'Brien's revenge encompasses getting even for more than just not reacting to the fact that he was going into shock. O'Brien had to suffer the humiliation of having to deal with diaper rash and the teasing from his buddies. Deeper still, once he returned, it was never the same - they treated him like an outcast, but accepted Jorgensen. The only person who would talk to him was Azar who was a stand alone soldier because he liked to behave in extreme behaviors, like trick or treating painted but basically naked. We sense that O'Brien feel betrayed by Jorgensen and his buddies. After all, it wasn't his fault he got shot or that Jorgensen allowed him to lay there near death.

O'Brien feels that he has "gone wrong" that he has lost his innocence, ideals, the side of him that was thoughtful and had the capacity to understand and forgive. He was now col and evil and full of revenge. He couldn't get past his consuming desire for revenge unless he somehow got even with Jorgensen, made him feel scared and vulnerable.

In the interview, O'Brien discusses the book as a life metaphor for our own mortality's which take on "added resonance" because it takes place in war time where every sense is heightened and you life on the edge. Although as a reader we might sympathize with O'Brien in his revenge, this is a morale dilemma that everyone faces - what do you do when someone wrongs you. I think he uses this chapter to allow the reader to walk this path for themselves and analyze our own anger, tendencies toward revenge, or our desire to not walk this path and forgive.