Going After Cacciato part I

A theme found throughout the novel is that of always being positive and looking for the good in things. Paul Berlin’s father gave this advice to him before he left for the Vietnam War. Even though Paul Berlin faced many atrocious scenes during his time in Vietnam, his father’s words kept him sane. Even when villagers were being searched disrespectfully, when his fellow soldiers lost their lives one after another, and when all that surrounded him were deserted places and dead bodies, he continued to think of the possibilities that could still take place after the war. Personally, I cannot imagine the things that these soldiers went through or how they felt because I have never had to witness such horrific things. I do believe that in times when you are surrounded by evil and feel that there is no hope, the only thing that can save you from being consumed by it is to think of better things to come. During his journey, Paul Berlin would always let the readers know how important it was for him to keep thinking of the possibilities and the good in the evil things that surrounded him. It was a survival mechanism that helped him to cope in a healthy way.