Tim O Brien Character Analysis

When one begins to read the story, it does not seem that the narrator and protagonist is Tim O’Brien. This is due to the fact that the entire story is written in first person except for the first chapter. This can be misleading to the reader about who the story is truly about. It is also confusing because the beginning of the book gives the impression that the narrator's job was to merely tell stories of different soldiers. Only when one reads further into the book does Tim’s integral role become apparent.
In order to understand how Tim is the protagonist, one must understand the definition. A protagonist is a lead character who propels the story forward, and is most opposed by the antagonist, the source of a major issue. To all soldiers who fought in Vietnam, the true enemies were the horrors of war. Tim explains that he writes these stories because he can’t forget what happened at war. This is also his way of coping with war, as he expresses his emotions through the art of writing. Tim is opposing the antagonist by exposing the truths of war to the reader, and he will not let the horrors overwhelm him. There are times where he tells the reader that war isn’t always
One can relate more to Tim’s stories rather than the other men because he inserts his emotions and speaks directly to the reader. Tim tells his own story of being drafted into the army and his dilemma of “fight or flight.” This makes himself vulnerable to the reader which makes one want to focus on him more than any other character. The stories of other men were also told through his perspective, putting everything under his influence. This implies that not every single account was true, yet it was deemed fit to tell by the narrator and most important character. The reader is dependent on Tim’s judgment and imagination, proving further that he propels the story along as the