Across
- 3. The stark, unembellished nature of events that often contrasts with the embellished tales told about war.
- 4. The medic and raconteur whose nickname hints at his sharp, sometimes sardonic, storytelling style.
- 9. A pervasive feeling that reflects the constant suffering and hardship experienced during the war.
- 11. The surname of the author–narrator who blurs fact and fiction to capture the emotional truth of war.
- 13. The Southeast Asian country where the soldiers’ physical and emotional burdens are borne.
- 16. Crucial supplies, meticulously accounted for alongside personal mementos, that sustain the men in combat.
- 17. The elusive quality that O’Brien wrestles with in recounting the war’s events—what is “sometimes true” and “sometimes not.”
- 18. A state of emotional separation and loneliness that some soldiers feel, even when surrounded by comrades.
- 19. The personal items—often letters from home—that tether soldiers to memories of a distant life.
- 21. A recurring metaphor in the book, representing both the physical load and the emotional heaviness carried by the men.
- 23. A paralyzing emotion that sometimes stops soldiers from acting in the heat of battle.
- 25. A primary weapon that, like many other things carried, comes to represent the dual nature of protection and destruction.
- 26. The quality that enables the soldiers to face death and chaos head on, even when fear threatens to overwhelm them.
- 27. The vehicle through which the characters share their experiences and make sense of the war.
- 28. A deep sorrow that shadows the characters as they cope with loss and the realities of war.
Down
- 1. The sacred text carried by one soldier, symbolizing his faith and a source of comfort amid the horror of war.
- 2. The Native American soldier whose spirituality and down-to-earth wisdom offer comfort amid chaos.
- 5. A recurring theme that underscores the high cost of conflict, affecting both lives and innocence.
- 6. A term that encapsulates both the physical objects and the emotional loads borne by the soldiers in war.
- 7. The leadership responsibility that Lt. Cross carries—balancing duty, distraction, and the consequences of command.
- 8. The psychological scars and lingering mental wounds that the soldiers endure well beyond the battlefield.
- 9. The woman whose letters and memories haunt Lt. Cross throughout the war.
- 10. The deep-seated desire to break free from the relentless pressures and horrors of the battlefield.
- 12. A bittersweet longing for home and a simpler past—a sentiment that underscores much of the soldiers’ inner lives.
- 14. The remorse and self-reproach felt by many soldiers as a result of decisions made in the midst of combat.
- 15. A fragile but sustaining emotion that many cling to, even when the situation seems hopeless.
- 20. The soldier whose post-war struggles and silence in “Speaking of Courage” highlight the lasting cost of conflict.
- 22. The intangible yet persistent remnant of past experiences that continue to influence the soldiers long after battle.
- 23. The strong bond among soldiers that provides support and understanding in the midst of overwhelming adversity.
- 24. Platoon leader burdened by a distracting love for a woman who never really returns his affections.