Does Paul Berlin's Menace In Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?

In “Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?” by Tim O’Brien, the main character Paul Berlin feels very menace on his first night in Vietnam. When Paul is walking through the rice paddy, the author writes, “The fear had been bundled and tight and he’d been on his hands and knees, crawling like an insect, an ant escaping a giant’s footsteps, and thinking nothing, brain flopping like wet cement in a mixer, not thinking at all, watching while Billy Boy Watkins died” (O’Brien 133). The fact that the author wrote this proves that Paul felt menace on his first night in war because he feels very small compared to the environment around him. He feared that he wouldn't survive because he was not familiar with the jungle. The war was not fought by men coming
at each other directly from their sides. The Viet Cong fought in every direction and could be hiding and setting traps; they could be anywhere at anytime. The Viet Cong knew the jungle like the backs of their hands, unlike the Americans. Later in the story, after talking to another soldier, Paul again proves he is menace. “Giggling and remembering, he covered his mouth. His eyes stung, remembering how it was when Billy Boy died of fright”(O’Brien 137). Paul’s way of showing that he doesn't feel safe is laughing because he doesn't know any other way to express his feelings at this point in time. The other soldier tells Paul to be quiet, yet Paul continues to giggle even though he tries to stop. The emotions that he is feeling don't disappear; at first Paul worried about dying of a physical attack from the war and now the idea of him dying of fear has entered his mind.