There could be a tough veteran character. He would be someone who has seen a lot in the war, has battle scars both physical and mental. He might act as a mentor to the younger soldiers, guiding them through the chaos of war.
Soldiers are very typical. They are the central figures in many of his war - related stories, like in 'Going After Cacciato'. They represent different personalities, some are brave, some are fearful, and they all have to deal with the chaos of war.
O'Brien might write war stories to give readers a deeper understanding of the realities and impacts of war. It could also be to honor the people he knew during those times or to raise awareness about certain issues related to warfare.
In Edna O'Brien short stories, the characters are diverse. There are young lovers, full of passion and naivete. They might be involved in forbidden love affairs, defying the norms of their community. Elderly characters are also present, often carrying the wisdom and the pain of a long life. And there are often wayward sons or daughters, who rebel against their families' values and traditions, causing upheaval within the family unit.
Tim O'Brien himself as a character in his own stories is memorable. By using his own name, he blurs the lines between the author and the narrator. His own experiences, doubts, and emotions as a soldier add a layer of authenticity to the stories, and readers get to see his journey of coming to terms with the war.
Well, obviously Dylan O'Brien is one of the main characters. And then there's the character who gets adopted. This character could be from all kinds of backgrounds, like an orphan from a small town or a runaway who Dylan takes in.
In a typical revenge story by Tim O'Brien, there could be a protagonist who has a strong motivation for revenge. This could be a soldier who has been wronged on the battlefield, for example. And then there would be those who are the target of the revenge, perhaps military superiors who made bad decisions that cost the lives of the protagonist's comrades. There might also be side characters who either support or oppose the revenge plot, like fellow soldiers or civilians in the story.
O'Brien tells a war story by emphasizing the emotional and psychological aspects of the experience. He uses vivid descriptions and personal reflections to make it engaging.
Another element is the portrayal of the psychological impact. His stories show how war changes the soldiers. It's not just about the physical battles but also the internal struggles, like dealing with guilt, fear, and the loss of innocence. The soldiers in his stories often have to grapple with these complex emotions long after the war is over.
Maybe it's because he has deep personal experiences and emotions related to war that he wants to express through his writing.
Maybe O'Brien thinks that war stories often present a complex and ambiguous picture that can't be neatly classified as morally right or wrong.