People keep calling Birdy a hero-type, which bothers him. You might say the guy can't take a compliment, but really, he doesn't see it as true. He's never felt more afraid than he does during the Iraq War, and he spends a lot of energy trying to hide that fear and sadness from others.
But whatever your definition of heroism is, there are plenty of small, brave acts in Sunrise Over Fallujah, like when Miller decides to treat wounded Iraqi children even though it might be a trap, or when Jonesy runs into fire to help the blind child.
Those acts take courage, and Birdy gets to witness them.
Questions About Courage
- Why doesn't Jonesy want to watch the back of a "hero-type?"
- How does Birdy's definition of heroism change from the beginning to end of this book?
- What does Birdy mean when he says it's a private war?
- How does Birdy differentiate between fear and terror?
Chew on This
All of the soldiers in Birdy's unit—Jonesy, Miller, Marla, and even Harris—are heroes.
Jonesy rushing toward the blind children was not an act of heroism.