Realities of War Brought to Light

In Tim O'Brian's "How to Tell a True War Story" he tells of one particular story that he claims still wakes him up 20 years later. The story is about the death of fellow soldier Lemon. He tells that Lemon was in the shade laughing and having a good time with Rat Kiley and then he took a step into the sunlight and a booby trap "blew him into a tree". It is particularly interesting that once Lemon moved from the shade he was murdered. When one thinks of shade one can imagine the idea of a cover, or a protection from some sort of harm. In this instance, the shade would represent the so called "cover" that some untrue war stories tend to have. The war story of a happy soldier, playing catch with his comrade, laughing and having a grand old time despite the lurking danger nearby. The shade represents the façade that the idea of war can create.

When one thinks of light one can imagine it meaning truth, or insight into the unknown. In this instance, Lemon stepping into the light and dying is representative of the reality of war. In the shade, under a cover war seems to be less threatening and glorified. However, once an individual steps into the light, the gruesome reality that extends from war can be witnessed. They can finally see that it isn't as glorified as it may seem.