Analytical Essay On Unbroken By Laura Hillenbrand

His Olympic running dreams crushed by war, crashing his bomber plane into the ocean, floating in a raft with no food and no water for weeks. Getting captured by the Japanese, getting beaten close to death everyday, being abused in prison camps for years. That was the life of Louis Zamperini. The biography Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand tells the chilling true story of Louie and the countless obstacles he faced during World War II. Louie teaches readers that through optimism, any challenge can be overcome.

During Louie’s life as a runner, he stayed hopeful even when war caused his life plan to go awry. For example, Louie’s dreams of being an Olympic runner were shattered when the Olympics were cancelled. World War II began, and Louie was forced

Most of his crew died, leaving Louie, Phil and Mac in the middle of the sea, stranded on a raft. Louie didn’t lose hope, despite drifting for over 40 days. During their first night on the raft, Mac panicked and ate all the chocolate, which was the only food they had. Louie understood that “...that Mac acted in panic, he reassured him that they’d soon be rescued”(132). Louie knew that Mac had freaked out and acted irrationally, so Louie reassured him that they’d be okay. Even with all the food gone, Louie was hopeful and determined to persevere. Many days later, things were looking grim for the three men. But Louie didn’t let it faze him. While on the raft, “...they imagined themselves back in the world again, they willed a happy ending onto their ordeal and made it their expectation”(146). Louie knew how close they were to death, but he didn’t let that possibility affect his mentality. He stayed resilient and had a positive outlook despite the dire situation. Through optimism and determination, Louie fought hard, surviving the plane crash and hard weeks on the

Yet Louie was optimistic the whole time. Louie and Phil survived the raft stranding, but unfortunately Mac died. Phil and Louie were finally rescued, but were captured by the Japanese and sent to a prison camp. The camp was horrible and abusive. Louie was sent from camp to camp, hoping to survive. Louie was beaten close to death. He was starved until he could barely move. But Louie kept going. He held on, determined that when America won the war, he’d get to go home. Louie met corporal, Mutsuhiro Watanabe, or as all the prisoners called him, the Bird. The Bird taunted Louie, beating him unconscious often. He had a deep hatred for Louie, but Louie didn’t let fear and despair overwhelm him. Louie and other prisoners rebelled against the guards, stealing and feeling the satisfaction of doing something defiant. Louie never lost hope during those awful years, and it was worth it. When America won the war, Louie went home, thrilled to be with his family, yet he was plagued with PTSD and alcoholism. When he realized he could be putting his wife, Cynthia, and his daughter in danger, he went for help. Through God, Louie realized, “He was not the worthless, broken, forsaken man that the Bird had striven to make of him”(376). Through all of his post-war sadness and alcoholism, Louie stayed optimistic. He wanted to heal and enjoy his life, so he