A Character Analysis Of Lieutenant Jimmy Cross In Vietnam

During the Vietnam era many boys were drafted in the military in place of men. In the face of unknown danger they were expected to act like men. Called up from ROTC to serve in Vietnam, Jimmy Cross was immature and did not believe in the war itself. Thus, as a lieutenant in the war, he endangers his men by being easily distracted by his insecurity over Martha. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross’s insecurity with Martha leads to some weak minded decisions that get one of his men killed, however, Cross matures from this event and develops his leadership.

Lieutenant Jimmy Cross has a flashback to a movie date he had right before he left for war. During the date he tries to touch her knee but “she turned and looked at him in a sad, sober way that made

Jimmy is reliving the adolescent struggle of wanting to have things his own way. Much like a toddler throwing a tantrum, Cross utilizes his power through his fantasies. The fantasy of tying up Martha and touching the knee all night is a thought that exerts him as dominant over a situation in which he is a passive player. By reliving his memories Jimmy is able to find the emotional satisfaction that he needs. In Jimmy’s very perverse fantasy of Martha he gives all the power he lacks to himself. In his power play Jimmy establishes his insecurity over Martha and his relationship. Martha has all the power in the relationship because Jimmy would do anything to receive any affection back from Martha. Jimmy longs for Martha’s love so much that it affects his job in Vietnam. Unfocused and relaxed, Jimmy is also powerless on the battlefield. He is forced to watch as one of his men died right in front of

After a night of self pity and regret he burns Martha’s letters and photographs in his foxhole. Jimmy is trying to forget Martha so that his daydreams stop and he can focus all his attention on the jungle and his men around him. The destruction of his only physical connection to Martha symbolizes his newfound dedication to the safety of his men. Shortly after trying to burn his memories away he starts to make plans on how he is going to get his platoon to shape up. He resolves to make the men “police up their acts” which includes maintaining the proper spacing, not dropping gear, and flank security (1003). He comes up with many ways that he can overcome the challenges that he knows he will face in trying to change the way the platoon behaves in combat. He concludes that the way that he will get everyone on board with the new plan will be to make himself distant from the men. He will place into effect all the small things that have been neglected during his time in command. He knows that there will be opposition to the new procedures, but Jimmy will use his “officer’s voice” to quell the dissent from the ranks. His men will have no choice but to listen and grumble about the officer’s sudden change of