Night Life

I suppose that when you become one with Vietnam for too long it drives you insane and you can't help but feel trapped inside. That's why Rat Kiley started itching himself to the point where he bled because after feeling nothing for so long, real pain is what he needed. It's ironic that he feels that the bugs are after him and that the bugs are eating him alive because bugs are what do indeed eat you after you die. Especially if you're left on the ground in war. All of the things he's hallucinating are things that he actually has seen being a medic and as a medic you're not supposed to break down like Kiley is doing which is why no one can blame him when he puts a bullet through his own foot. All of the stories in this novel end with whatever character is the main focus losing something, whether it be their life or their mind or somebody else's life. That's what war is about, though. Losing to gain. The soldiers lose something in order for higher powers to gain whatever it is they want. It's unfair and it will continue to be.