An Analysis Of Tim O Brien's Going After Cacciato

In Going After Cacciato, Tim O’Brien uses the war in Vietnam to convey several ideas that go far beyond the main characters of Paul Berlin and Cacciato, and their struggles in Eastern Asia. One overarching theme that shines through during the course of the novel is that of living vicariously through others. Paul looks at Cacciato and wishes he had the guts to leave with him and go AWOL. Paul fantasizes about Cacciato making it to Paris because he wants to get to Paris and leave the ugliness of war behind. We often look at those around us, in different circumstances and wish or dream that we had what they have, whether it be monetary or just someone a little farther along with life. We look at others and fantasize what it would be like if we were only in their shoes. Especially when we see someone else living out our dreams how our perception of our dreams changes with our circumstances. This is seen through the contrasting attitudes and actions of Paul Berlin and the man he so eagerly hunts: Cacciato.
Throughout the novel we get to know many different characters. But the two characters that we seem to get to learn about the most are Cacciato and Paul Berlin, the protagonist. One of the most important aspects that we learn about these two are their desires and dreams. While in the police station …show more content…
Sarkin is convincing Paul to give up and, “Live now the dream you have dreamed. See Paris and enjoy it. Be happy. It is possible . The war had held the Spec four back, but now that he had escaped the landscape of Vietnam, he could live a free life. He had to accept consequences whether for good or bad. Earlier in O’ Brien’s book, the men meet Li Van Hgoc who tried to run away as well, but was forced to spend the rest of his life in tunnels beneath the earth. Everything comes with a choice, and that choice “is within reach of a single decision”