Fear

"When you're afraid, really afraid, you see things you never saw before, you pay attention to the world. You make close friends" (page 183). This is where the brotherhood of fellow soldiers fighting for a common cause comes in. They have been scared to their wits end, but have each other to fall back on. However, one doesn't have to be in war to experience extreme fear. It's ironic how fear can bring even enemies together. In today's world, the world is afraid of the powers North Korea may possess. Since their government keeps everything clandestine, the world holds its breath waiting with apprehension for the day North Korea puts its powers to the test. In response to this, countries with histories of conflicting pasts bond together in the presence of utter fear.

I also liked O'Brien's description on what its like being shot. When he says on page 189 "The boots were one of those vivid details you can't forget. Like a pebble or a blade of grass. You just stare and think, Dear Christ, there's the last thing on earth I'll ever see," I found myself wondering what the last thing I saw would be!