Krik? Krak! The Fiction Addiction

The purple field refers to the heightened senses of a soldier in the battlefield. It is believed that this ability comes from satan and that after attaining these senses, the soldier feels like they sold their soul. A soldier in the purple field is described as being able to hear a stick cracking from a mile away and seeing soldiers in the pitch dark without the aid of a “Starlight Scope”.

Brotherhood is a very important theme in "Break on Through" and the entire Vietnam War. The men on the battlefield put everything on the line not only to fight for their country, but for each other and their brothers. The story helps show that people are brought together by the war even when in reality, they never would have talked otherwise. The narrator knows a lot about Gerber's life just due to the fact that they fight together, and without the war, they may never have talked or even crossed paths. - IL

The Vietnam War occurred in thick jungles, foreign to most of the american soldiers that fought in there. Some important words include ambush:  a surprise attack by enemies waiting in a concealed position. An ambush occurred when Hollywood and his team was dropped in the LZ (landing zone) and they struggled to fight through it. Another word would be camaraderie: which is a mutual trust and friendship between people who have spent a lot of time with each other. When the soldiers are in Vietnam together, they are with each other non-stop, and they have to protect and fight for each whether they love or hate each other outside of battle. Without it, individually they would die so they need to have that bond to keep each other live. Sometimes after battles, camaraderie may come naturally since they have experience gruesome things together. -BG

An important theme in both stories so far is  comradery between Marines. I think it is essential for them to have relationships and to be able to show selflessness , bravery and intelligence so that they can not only keep themselves safe, but their fellow marines as well. This is shown in the relationship between the narrator and Gerber in "Break on through". He says that he knows everything there is to know about Gerber and yet he still does not fully like  him. Liking each other is not necessary as long as there is trust. DT

HAITI TODAY In modern times, Haitians continue to be stuck on the wrong side of fortune. Trump, the current president of the United States "questioned why the U.S. would accept more immigrants from Haiti and "shithole countries" in Africa rather than places like Norway, as he rejected a bipartisan immigration deal." (Los Angeles Times) The people of Haiti are likely not going to be able to seek refuge within the United States while President Trump remains in office.  The White House didn't contradict Trump's statement but did say that "Trump supports immigration policies that welcome those who can contribute to our society." (LA Times) -AA

When all of the soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War put their uniform on, it shows a sense of brotherhood and shared unity among all of them. They are fighting an endless battle of war and hate. They help each other in the hardest of times imaginable. They are the definition of true friendship and family.  The narrator reminisces over his old blue uniform: "The other day-Memorial Day, as it happened-I was cleaning some stuff out of the attic when I came upon my old dress-blue uniform. It's a beautiful uniform, easily the most handsome worn by any of the U.S. armed forces" (Jones, 10) -M.K.

G.I. Joe's enemy, aka, Vietcong, aka Victor Charles, aka, Charlie. By all accounts, NVA soldiers were extraordinarily tough, resilient, and dedicated to repulsing foreign invaders. --fg