This is an essay based on a few questions about the novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. There are a few questions pertaining to Eddie’s experiences in the war and my personal reactions to reading about his life in combat. Personally Eddie’s experiences while in combat, are conditions I have already been aware of, due to the fact that my step-father was in the United States Marines for many years. I’ve heard of tragic stories and seen gruesome pictures of some of the horrible mishaps that happen while over-seas, so I was not actually caught off guard while reading about Eddie. However I did learn a few things while reading this novel, such as some of the skills Eddie acquired while at war. For instance, “He learned a few words in a foreign languages. He learned to spit a great distance.” (Albom 62-63, 4. 1), “He learned that scabies are itchy little mites that burrow into your skin, especially if you’ve worn the same filthy clothes for a week. He learned a man’s bones really do look white when they burst through the skin.” (Albom 63, 1. 1-2). While abroad Eddie learned many numerous skills and ways about life. Eddie came home a different man, both mentally and physically aspects. Mentally Eddie was angry, enraged due to how he came back physically. Eddie was “…haunted by that one moment, that one mistake, when his whole life changed.” (Albom 88, 1. 4). Since that day, he replays that memory, always thinking back “If only I didn’t go in there…” (Albom 88, 2. 3). Eddie was left handicapped after that incident. The captain shot him in the leg to save him but it left him handicapped. The captain shot Eddie, because Eddie tried going back into a building that he thought he saw. A fellow solider tried stopping him but it was not working so the captain shot Eddie to save him from killing himself in the fire. The captain told Eddie, “ I took your leg to save your life.” The captain basically told Eddie, it took a small
This is an essay based on a few questions about the novel, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. There are a few questions pertaining to Eddie’s experiences in the war and my personal reactions to reading about his life in combat. Personally Eddie’s experiences while in combat, are conditions I have already been aware of, due to the fact that my step-father was in the United States Marines for many years. I’ve heard of tragic stories and seen gruesome pictures of some of the horrible mishaps that happen while over-seas, so I was not actually caught off guard while reading about Eddie. However I did learn a few things while reading this novel, such as some of the skills Eddie acquired while at war. For instance, “He learned a few words in a foreign languages. He learned to spit a great distance.” (Albom 62-63, 4. 1), “He learned that scabies are itchy little mites that burrow into your skin, especially if you’ve worn the same filthy clothes for a week. He learned a man’s bones really do look white when they burst through the skin.” (Albom 63, 1. 1-2). While abroad Eddie learned many numerous skills and ways about life. Eddie came home a different man, both mentally and physically aspects. Mentally Eddie was angry, enraged due to how he came back physically. Eddie was “…haunted by that one moment, that one mistake, when his whole life changed.” (Albom 88, 1. 4). Since that day, he replays that memory, always thinking back “If only I didn’t go in there…” (Albom 88, 2. 3). Eddie was left handicapped after that incident. The captain shot him in the leg to save him but it left him handicapped. The captain shot Eddie, because Eddie tried going back into a building that he thought he saw. A fellow solider tried stopping him but it was not working so the captain shot Eddie to save him from killing himself in the fire. The captain told Eddie, “ I took your leg to save your life.” The captain basically told Eddie, it took a small