Literary Analysis Of Where Have You Gone Charming Billy

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Tim O’Brien utilizes the setting in “Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?” to portray a theme centering around courage. Throughout the story, Private First Class Paul Berlin and his fellow soldiers are supporting the American effort in the Vietnam War, which, unmistakably takes place in Vietnam. Vietnam is a long, thin nation full of verdant jungle and high hills— perfect terrain for growing rice in paddies. The nation also has an extensive coastline entirely on the South China Sea. This geography (in particular, the inland landscape) fosters an environment well-suited for guerrilla warfare, a combat style that is characterized by fast and sneaky attacks in smaller groups. Because of these conditions, going into the jungle during the war is

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