Tim O Brien Where Have You Gone Charming Billy Summary

Understandings of War Tim O’Brien, when writing “Where Have You Gone Charming Billy?”, wanted his reader to understand many things about war. He wants us to understand how hard it is to get over killing someone and the emotions you have when you’re at war. Also, he wants us to know how alert and agile you have to be at all times. Some people procure a tough time getting over the fact that they actually killed a human being. That would be hard for anyone, especially just starting out at war. Tim O’ Brien was obviously torn up when telling about his experience of taking someone’s life in his speech. Tim had to realize that the guy he killed would have done the same thing to him if the situation had been switched around. His speech unveiled that he lived in constant fear during his first few days at war.

For instance, in “Where Have You Gone Charming Billy?”, Private First Class Paul Berlin had to laugh about Billy being killed, or else he would have cried. “Shut up! the big soldier hissed, but Private First Class Paul Berlin could not stop. Giggling and remembering, he covered his mouth. His eyes stung, remembering how it was when Billy Boy died of fright” (O’Brien 202). Being Paul’s first couple of days at war, he was beyond nervous and couldn’t control his emotions. People always have to be alert and agile when fighting at war. “Stay alert, he’d been taught. Better alert than inert. Ag-ile, mo-bile, hos-tile” (O’Brien 199-200). One person out of two must be awake and alert at all times during the night in case of enemy troops attacking. If you aren’t alert during the day or any other time, you could step on a landmine or something of the sort. You could also be shot by enemy soldiers. In order to avoid that, you must be agile. Being agile is a walloping advantage when at war. It’s always a good thing to be able to get around quickly and