In Matterhorn, written by Karl Marlantes, Lance Corporal Hamilton, although playing a minor role in the novel, explores the bitter consequences of glory and death. When Lieutenant Colonel Simpson, influenced by Major Blakely, orders Bravo Company to recapture Matterhorn, Bravo Company trounces the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), positioned on Matterhorn, but not without casualties and repercussions. Hamilton joins the fallen when pride and glory inundate his senses and runs foolishly into enemy fire. Although Bravo Company conquers the seemingly insurmountable Matterhorn, hubris floods Hamilton’s mind and causes his meaningless death, illustrating that complacency is the cornerstone of human fallibility. When Bravo Company forces the NVA to retreat
…show more content…
While running towards the small hill, “A rocket-propelled grenade slashed violently out of the jungle where the NVA had taken cover. It exploded in front of Hamilton, killing him instantly” (485). The death of Hamilton, nonetheless, in front of his comrades, sparks the climax of complacency. As confidence surges through his body, Hamilton myopic view of recovering his honor causes his death. The rocked “kill[ed] him instantly.” Marlantes illustrates the curse of complacency by having it “explode” in front of Hamilton’s face. “Explode” and “instantly” convey a sense of vulnerability, showing how confidence can quickly backfire. Marlantes also describes the grenade as “slashing violently.” “Slashing” provides a sense of retaliation, showing the NVA’s anger toward the invade but also the damaging consequences. Although not in noun form, “slashing” also represents the loss of morale because of Hamilton’s death. Hamilton’s unsightly death underscores the climax of complacency, illuminating the necessity of a clear …show more content…
Mole hurries to recover the disfigured body: “He tossed his gun to his A gunner, grabbed Hamilton’s body, and dragged it back to their original safe position” (485). Mole “dragged” Hamilton’s body back, showing disappointment and pessimism of the men. “Drag” is commonly used to describe an action done to inanimate objects; however, the “dragging” of Hamilton’s body shows that his death makes meaningless, as if he has been lowered to the status of an inanimate object. Marlantes also chooses to emphasize “safe position,” suggesting that the squad’s original plan would have been safer and that there was no reason for Hamilton to push forward. Mole now the new leader of the squad takes charge: “Mole wasn’t about to get his ass killed because some fucker went bloodthirsty on them” (485). Marlantes refers to Mole’s “ass” in particular to show how insignificant Hamilton’s death is in reference to the squad’s entire mission. “His ass” could also be a synecdoche for the squad’s ass because Mole needs to get everyone else out alive. Marlantes also shows that Hamilton’s death is meaningless by calling him a “fucker,” highlighting that Hamilton’s actions reduce him to the mere scum of the Marine Corps. The descent of complacency Hamilton’s death illustrates shows that complacency lowers one into oblivion, accentuating complacency’s role in
While running towards the small hill, “A rocket-propelled grenade slashed violently out of the jungle where the NVA had taken cover. It exploded in front of Hamilton, killing him instantly” (485). The death of Hamilton, nonetheless, in front of his comrades, sparks the climax of complacency. As confidence surges through his body, Hamilton myopic view of recovering his honor causes his death. The rocked “kill[ed] him instantly.” Marlantes illustrates the curse of complacency by having it “explode” in front of Hamilton’s face. “Explode” and “instantly” convey a sense of vulnerability, showing how confidence can quickly backfire. Marlantes also describes the grenade as “slashing violently.” “Slashing” provides a sense of retaliation, showing the NVA’s anger toward the invade but also the damaging consequences. Although not in noun form, “slashing” also represents the loss of morale because of Hamilton’s death. Hamilton’s unsightly death underscores the climax of complacency, illuminating the necessity of a clear …show more content…
Mole hurries to recover the disfigured body: “He tossed his gun to his A gunner, grabbed Hamilton’s body, and dragged it back to their original safe position” (485). Mole “dragged” Hamilton’s body back, showing disappointment and pessimism of the men. “Drag” is commonly used to describe an action done to inanimate objects; however, the “dragging” of Hamilton’s body shows that his death makes meaningless, as if he has been lowered to the status of an inanimate object. Marlantes also chooses to emphasize “safe position,” suggesting that the squad’s original plan would have been safer and that there was no reason for Hamilton to push forward. Mole now the new leader of the squad takes charge: “Mole wasn’t about to get his ass killed because some fucker went bloodthirsty on them” (485). Marlantes refers to Mole’s “ass” in particular to show how insignificant Hamilton’s death is in reference to the squad’s entire mission. “His ass” could also be a synecdoche for the squad’s ass because Mole needs to get everyone else out alive. Marlantes also shows that Hamilton’s death is meaningless by calling him a “fucker,” highlighting that Hamilton’s actions reduce him to the mere scum of the Marine Corps. The descent of complacency Hamilton’s death illustrates shows that complacency lowers one into oblivion, accentuating complacency’s role in