Genre
Non-fiction memoir
Setting and Context
The Pacific Theater during WWII
Narrator and Point of View
Told through the point of view of E.B. Sledge
Tone and Mood
Violent, Chaotic, Solemn, Fearful, Brutal, and Intense
Protagonist and Antagonist
There is no clear protagonist/antagonist structure in the book. However, Sledge could easily could be considered the protagonist and the Japanese could be considered the antagonist.
Major Conflict
Sledge's struggle to survive the fighting he was involved in the Pacific Theater of WWII
Climax
This is a non-fiction book and does not have a climax.
Foreshadowing
This is a non-fiction book and does not utilize foreshadowing.
Understatement
The Shell-Shock/PTSD soldiers experienced is understated in the book
Allusions
To history (WWII in particular), geography (of the United States, Japan, and the Pacific), Helmet for My Pillow (the 1957 book), popular culture, religion, the Bible, and mythology.
Imagery
Gold Teeth is one of the most powerful uses of imagery in the book. Gold Teeth are used to symbolize the de-evolution of soldiers.
Paradox
Soldiers were raised well and by good families, yet devolved into savages who act like animals in the book.
Parallelism
Sledge's story is often paralleled with the stories of other Marines in the Pacific.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
The Pacific = The Pacific Theater in World War II
Personification
"He was grim determination personified as he drew back his arm to throw a grenade at us."
