A rifle (Symbol)
A rifle is a symbol of violence. They are “going block by block, fighting with rifles good to 550 meters,” and they are “killing people in a concrete box.” Everyone who has a rifle is a target for an enemy. The ones with weapon are a source of violence. You’ve “got a rifle” and “so does everyone else,” you have to fight. If you win, they lose and vice versa. A rifle becomes a part of a soldier, like a third arm. It is always difficult to part with it, you simply don’t know where to rest your hands.
Baseball (Allegory)
Baseball is allegory of everything that is considered “American.” It is the game, “where one man takes a stand against the world, bat in hand, ready to make history.” Every moment of it is “one-on-one competition.” “Batter versus pitcher.” “Runner versus first baseman.” Then “runner versus second baseman.” Not to mention that “it’s a team sport,” for “you’re nothing without the team!!!” No wonder that some people think that it is going to be a good idea to teach Iraqi kids to play baseball.
Survive (motif)
To survive is the main goal. Just like any other task, it is easier said than done, for a war is a dangerous place. “The mortar attack” comes where “the mortars wouldn’t fucking stop, mortar after mortar,” and Marines just sat there, wondering they would survive. Then one started of them started chanting, “o Lord in Heaven,” “forgive us, God, us sinners,” and the words of the prayer were interrupted with the loud “boom.” They survived, but they were well aware of the fact that death was nearby.
