Theme Of Honor In Tim O Brien's Going After Cacciato

From an objective viewpoint, morality is merely a result of beliefs and values instilled by a singular culture: an action might fit moral codes for one but may be heinous for another. Purpose is dependent on morality for its basis; consequently, a lack of clear morality due to conflicting ideas leads to a lack of purpose. In war, purpose is the driving force behind the movement of troops and determination of individuals. Therefore, if there is no clear purpose, then soldiers must instead rely on honor. Honor – independent of purpose – draws upon loyalty and self-image to distract from the lack of clear moral boundaries. In his novel Going After Cacciato, Tim O’Brien uses the character Cacciato to show the contrast between purpose and honor,

The narrative of Paul Berlin’s made up scenario represents his struggle with following Cacciato or staying to do his duty. At one point in the imaginary journey to Paris, “Paul Berlin’s motives, as shapeless as water, washed through his imagination: a briny, sodden pressure that weighted him like gravity, layers of inclination pressing him deeper and deeper. His brain had the bends. Things were out of control. Gone haywire. You could run, but you couldn’t outrun the consequences of running” (O’Brien 226). The simile comparing his motives to water shows that while Berlin realizes that there is a lack of purpose in the war, he has not yet accepted the lack of purpose as Cacciato did. By comparing Berlin’s internal conflict to “the bends,” O’Brien shows the high level of moral ambiguity that the war brings: Berlin is unable to decide what is right. However, by the end of the novel, Paul Berlin comes to a conclusion. In an imagined scenario with Sarkin Aung Wan, Berlin says, “More than any positive sense of obligation, I confess that what dominates is the dread of abandoning all that I hold dear. I am afraid of running away. I am afraid of exile. I fear what might be thought of me by those I love. I fear the loss of their respect. I fear the loss of my own reputation” (O’Brien 320). The anaphora – “I am afraid” and “I fear” – highlights Berlin’s desire to maintain honor. This view differs drastically from that of Cacciato, as Berlin chooses to hold onto honor in the place of a purpose, while Cacciato accepts a lack of purpose and leaves. Thus, O’Brien shows how in war, the only reason for fighting is for reputation, for honor. When Berlin reflects on his imagined journey, he says “with courage it might have been