Annitt's Interior Monologue

Once again Hillenbrand uses her stylistic imagery. Here, like many other times, she tries to appeal to emotions by describing how physically pathetic Louie has become. However, Louie's interior monologue makes a statement that narration can not quite capture. The analogy comparing his current state to that of a “dead body breathing” provides insight to Louie's mindset after capture. While he recognizes that he miraculously alive through his personification of a dead body, his state is far from acceptable. Louie is aware of how far his life force has been stretched, yet it is evident he is still determined to live on, even if he is a dead body just breathing. Hillenbrand further uses this monologue to express that determination can aid in survival.
There is no exception to the brutal Watanabe, so before he can be capture and tried for countless war crimes, he flees into hiding. On the Contrary, Louie becomes famous for his uncanny survival story. This transition is effectively described by the antithesis “As his tormenter disappeared into darkness, Louie was pulled into blinding light”. The darkness symbolizes the unknown, and the possibility that Watanabe may be dead, just as Louie had once been presumed. While the light symbolizes safety and fame/infamy. This antithesis proves to further the parallel between the characters of Louie and Watanabe, as one flourishes, the other strives. This oscillating correlation ultimately leads to Louie finishing in the light. Because of the struggles Louie had to go through to end on top, it can be inferred that Hillenbrand wants to convey that determination will lead one through
A strong parallel structure is created between the way Watanabe treated the prisoners and in how he was treated by the farmer who took him in. Watanabe acted as a dictator in the camps and took every opportunity to completely destroy his prisoners. He had no morals, and worse no regret. However, with the fall of the Japanese empire, Watanabe is thrown into the position his prisoners once occupied. He is now a war criminal for his crimes against humanity. In his attempt to hide, he is taken in by a farmer, who even after learning of Watanabe’s true identity keeps him. The connection between the situations is in how when the POWs were deprived of everything, then were further tortured. Whereas, when Watanabe is deprived of everything, he is shown kindness. In his refusal to acknowledge the correlation, it can be interpreted that Watanabe is truly cruel. While there is strong characterization in the parallelism, Hillenbrand attempts to emphasize the importance of showing humanity and forgiveness. Though Watanabe committed countless war crimes, he is still human and should be treated as one. In all, Hillenbrand reminds the reader, that no one should be deprived of their