fallen angels
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Isabel Chang
Period 2
Mrs. Bowley
November 13, 2013
Fallen Angels Essay
Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers, tells the fictional story of a young man named Richie Perry and his struggles throughout the Vietnam War. The war takes place in Vietnam, where North Vietnam is trying to “unify” the country under communism, while South Vietnam believed they were under attack from communists and preferred to stay separated. The United States involved itself in the war because our leaders were determined to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. Throughout the novel, Myers develops many different types of themes including, the loss of innocence and the Moral Ambiguity of war.
One theme that Myers uses on the Fallen Angels is the loss of innocence. This theme is particularly important because the title of the book is based on it. When Carroll explains to Perry that his father called soldiers Angel warriors he says “My father used to call all soldiers angel warriors […] because usually they get boys to fight wars. Most of you aren’t even old enough to vote yet” (44) the solders are called “fallen angels” or “Angel warriors” is because they’re so young and innocent yet they’re risking their lives to fight in wars. Most aren’t even full grown men yet, but they end up seeing things that shouldn’t be seen and do things that shouldn’t be done. They are forced to fight in this war and kill others before they themselves get killed first. Having their innocence stripped away from them, they are forced to see the reality of the world. In the beginning of the story, Perry clings to the belief that the good guys always survive, while the bad guys would die. The truth is very different and Perry soon
2 / 3 realizes that. He realizes that everything the world had him believe in movies, books, etc. are all false, and that its much harsher, crueler and chaotic than it is made up to be. By the end of the novel, he matures and no longer has those childish,
Isabel Chang
Period 2
Mrs. Bowley
November 13, 2013
Fallen Angels Essay
Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers, tells the fictional story of a young man named Richie Perry and his struggles throughout the Vietnam War. The war takes place in Vietnam, where North Vietnam is trying to “unify” the country under communism, while South Vietnam believed they were under attack from communists and preferred to stay separated. The United States involved itself in the war because our leaders were determined to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. Throughout the novel, Myers develops many different types of themes including, the loss of innocence and the Moral Ambiguity of war.
One theme that Myers uses on the Fallen Angels is the loss of innocence. This theme is particularly important because the title of the book is based on it. When Carroll explains to Perry that his father called soldiers Angel warriors he says “My father used to call all soldiers angel warriors […] because usually they get boys to fight wars. Most of you aren’t even old enough to vote yet” (44) the solders are called “fallen angels” or “Angel warriors” is because they’re so young and innocent yet they’re risking their lives to fight in wars. Most aren’t even full grown men yet, but they end up seeing things that shouldn’t be seen and do things that shouldn’t be done. They are forced to fight in this war and kill others before they themselves get killed first. Having their innocence stripped away from them, they are forced to see the reality of the world. In the beginning of the story, Perry clings to the belief that the good guys always survive, while the bad guys would die. The truth is very different and Perry soon
2 / 3 realizes that. He realizes that everything the world had him believe in movies, books, etc. are all false, and that its much harsher, crueler and chaotic than it is made up to be. By the end of the novel, he matures and no longer has those childish,