Article of the Week 5: IRB

Lone Survivor tells the story of a Navy SEAL's mission in Afghanistan through a narration of the trip and a series of flashbacks. Joining the Armed forces two years before 9/11, Marcus Luttrell Petty Officer First Class, the author and subject of the book narrates this specific mission as well as his experiences training to become a Navy SEAL. Published six years after 9/11, Marcus' journey and major topic of this book was a direct result of those terrorist attacks. This book shows how dedicated soldiers are to the country and the ideas it represents. Often repeated is the idea "Let him who desires peace prepare for war," (Luttrell, 101). The people who would read this book would most likely be Americans who would be curious about the war and what it is like to be in one. Also, people who are interested in politics and history as this book is response to an event that changed much of the world.

While not even far enough to have read about the mission, there are a few prominent rhetorical devices used thus far. The use of flashbacks is the  most noticeable. it provides depth to the story and meaning to the mission because the reader gains knowledge of how hard the author has worked to get in such an elite fighting force. The author also uses much repetition throughout the novel. In the section where he is in training for the SEALs, the command to get "Wet and sandy," occurs many times a page. What is interesting is that the author does not just repeat this order, but every time explains how this order has a different effect on him each time it is used. These strategies show how difficult it was for Marcus to attain his position in the military. At this point it is difficult to distinguish the author's purpose because he is still setting up the story.