Unbroken by Laura Hillenbran chronicles the extraordinary life of Louis Zamperini, from his humble beginning as a boy steeling for sport, to the Olympic runner, and finally to a prisoner of war. Throughout the novel Louis’ life was absorbed by running. Whether running from the police, running for the gold, or running for his life, Louis was always running.
From an early age Louis was steeling. Anything he could find that was edible he would steal. Due to his thievery, he was always on the run from police. He became a sort of legend in his town, always getting into more and more trouble. When recounting these tales he would always end the story with “…and then I ran like mad (P. 6).” Once in high school Louis continued his delinquent ways. …show more content…
At the time planes were not as technologically advanced, meaning that many men died state-side during mere practice runs. Tasked with defeated the Japanese Louis and his crew set off. This mission proved to be fatal, as their plane was shot down by an enemy plane. The only men to survive was Louis, Mac, and Phil. Faced with starvation, the men resorted to eating birds and fish. Sadly, Mac succumbed to the lack of food and passed away. The remaining men were captured by the Japanese and sent to a camp called Kwajalein. There Louis’ status as a famous Olympian saved him and his friend Phil’s life, because “A famous American Olympian would be especially valuable (P. 260)” as a tool for propaganda. Knowing that if his friend was executed he would be less willing to comply, the Japanese spared his life. After the Japanese felt they had received all the information they could from Louis they sent him to an official prisoner of war camp. At this camp when it was discovered that Louis was an Olympic runner, his captors made him race Japanese civilians. Winning the first race was a boost for morale for the prisoners. The second race was different. The man at came to race Louis asked him to throw the race so he could impress his girlfriend, in turn, Louis would receive a rice ball. Food was scarce in the camps, so Louis agreed. So far his Olympic history has saved him, but at the next camp he was transferred to, it would be his down
From an early age Louis was steeling. Anything he could find that was edible he would steal. Due to his thievery, he was always on the run from police. He became a sort of legend in his town, always getting into more and more trouble. When recounting these tales he would always end the story with “…and then I ran like mad (P. 6).” Once in high school Louis continued his delinquent ways. …show more content…
At the time planes were not as technologically advanced, meaning that many men died state-side during mere practice runs. Tasked with defeated the Japanese Louis and his crew set off. This mission proved to be fatal, as their plane was shot down by an enemy plane. The only men to survive was Louis, Mac, and Phil. Faced with starvation, the men resorted to eating birds and fish. Sadly, Mac succumbed to the lack of food and passed away. The remaining men were captured by the Japanese and sent to a camp called Kwajalein. There Louis’ status as a famous Olympian saved him and his friend Phil’s life, because “A famous American Olympian would be especially valuable (P. 260)” as a tool for propaganda. Knowing that if his friend was executed he would be less willing to comply, the Japanese spared his life. After the Japanese felt they had received all the information they could from Louis they sent him to an official prisoner of war camp. At this camp when it was discovered that Louis was an Olympic runner, his captors made him race Japanese civilians. Winning the first race was a boost for morale for the prisoners. The second race was different. The man at came to race Louis asked him to throw the race so he could impress his girlfriend, in turn, Louis would receive a rice ball. Food was scarce in the camps, so Louis agreed. So far his Olympic history has saved him, but at the next camp he was transferred to, it would be his down