The theme of this war story is very applicable in real life as it was in the story. These three characters in this story realize the hard way how war and violence can shape a person's perspective on life. Each character experiences death firsthand through the deaths of their companions and realizes how important that life is. This is what Tim O'Brien's character understands from his experience during Vietnam: You can't control the things that happen, like getting drafted into a war you don't support, but you just have to go as life takes you and make the most of it. . the situation as much as possible. “And in the end, of course, a real war story is never about war. It's about sunlight. it's about the special way the dawn spreads over a river when you know you have to cross the river and march into the mountains and do things you're afraid to do. it's about love and memory. It's about