Ambush, by Tim O'Brien
by Lillian Bonar
Essay: Ambush, by Tim O'Brien
Pages: 11
Rating: 3 stars
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Inevitably, there comes a point in everybody’s life at which they have an experience that completely alters their
view of the world. This moment is when one loses his or her innocence, or comes of age, and he or she realizes
that they do not live in a utopian Golden Age. Parents are charged with the monumental duty of protecting their
children’s innocence, but everybody inescapably grows up. This experience can be anything from an embarrassing
situation at school to coming within seconds of death. In the short story “Ambush” by Tim O’Brien, the author tells
the true story of his daughter confronting him and asked him if he had ever killed anyone. In an effort to be a
good parent and protect the nine-year-old’s innocence, the author does not share with her the story he goes on
to tell to the reader. He explains how many years ago, he was serving in the army and was taking a shift guarding
his troop’s campsite when all of a sudden, a young man from the opposing army came walking up the trail.
Without a second thought, O’Brien killed the boy with a grenade, and he lost his innocence after realizing he had
killed a defenseless man without hesitation. Tim O’Brien develops Ambush as a coming of age story through the
use of literary devices.
The author uses a lengthy exposition to explain how he lost his innocence many years ago. When his daughter
ambushes him with her statement, “…I guess you must’ve killed somebody,” he simply replies with, “Of course not”
(131). However, he then details for the reader his experience of throwing a grenade and killing an enemy soldier
from back when he was in the military. This story is Ambush’s exposition – when an author provides the reader
with necessary background information. Tim O’Br...