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Philip Caputo Sparknotes

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Philip Caputo, a former American Lieutenant, wrote the influential memoir, A Rumor of War, recapping his memories and perspectives serving during the Vietnam War. A Rumor of War was published in 1977, shortly after the US withdrew from Vietnam, and reflects the cultural and political context of that time period. The Vietnam War was one of the most disputed conflicts in United States history due to its extreme controversy and execution during its span. Throughout the story, Caputo’s memoir offers a thoughtful and introspective recollection of his experiences in Vietnam, and addresses instances of good and evil, justice and injustice, and the devastating consequences that come from war.

Throughout the memoir, Caputo develops as he first-handedly …show more content…

Walking with his battalion down a trail, Caputo thinks about all the men who have died and about his possible death, where he says, “Thousands of people died in each week in the war, and the sum of all their deaths did not make any difference. The war went on without them, so it would go on without me” (Caputo 260). Thinking that he could possibly die at anytime, Caputo reflects on his actions he took within the war, and comes to a conclusion that even though he had numerous accomplishments within the war, he still felt that he didn’t make enough of a difference and that the war would still go on without him as it has with others dying. Additionally, he also uses a metaphor to further develop his mindset, in which he states, “Certainly, I had no illusions that my death, if it came, would be a sacrifice. It would merely be a death, and not a good one either … I was a beetle. We were all beetles, scratching for survival in the wilderness. Those who had lost the struggle had not changed anything by dying” (Caputo 260). With this in mind, Caputo continues to develop his perspective on morality and determines the lives lost in this war will not have a significant meaning if this war is won. He also includes this quote to show how insignificant he feels his position is as a soldier, and how they would be sacrifices for the greater good of the war. After serving his time in Vietnam, Caputo leaves in 1965, where a few years later, he observes the United States losing the war, thus confirming the moral fight for democracy in Vietnam all for

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