Chapter 9, Ambush Summary and Analysis

The calm days of adapting to Vietnam come to an end as O'Brien experiences real combat on a night mission. On this march the soldiers combat fatigue as they try to stay alert. Mad Mark leads the men. They bungle along loudly as the Claymore mines and hand grenades make a great deal of noise. As the men of Alpha Company march along the trail, the forest seems to come alive for O'Brien. The trees and vines take on mythical qualities as frightening as the Viet Cong they hunt. The forest is misty, scary, and dark enough to devour entire platoons. O'Brien does not want to be swallowed whole by Vietnam. The forests are symbolic of his fear.

He watches the man in front of him on the trail because his life depends on not getting lost. The jungle...