Genre
Non-Fiction
Setting and Context
Primarily, the United States; secondarily, Vietnam
Narrator and Point of View
Told from Patterson's point of view.
Tone and Mood
Violent, Historical, Energetic, Factual, and Mysterious
Protagonist and Antagonist
This is a non-fiction book and has neither a protagonist nor antagonist
Major Conflict
The conflict between old and new-school American ideals is highlighted quite often in the book.
Climax
This is a non-fiction book and doesn't have a climax.
Foreshadowing
The U.S.' transformation is foreshadowed early on in Patterson's book.
Understatement
The significance JFK had on America is understated in the book.
Allusions
To the history and geography of the United States, popular culture, mythology, religion (particularly Christianity), and sociology.
Imagery
Patterson uses intense imagery to underscore the radical transformation the U.S. underwent as a result of the events of 1965.
Paradox
Lyndon Johnson's legislation was meant to help as many people as possible, yet it did directly the opposite.
Parallelism
The story of many of the G.I.'s in Vietnam are paralleled in the book.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
G.I. = Government Issued/Soldiers
Personification
The United States as a country is personified often in the book.
