Background Notes Unbroken – Mod. Humanities/Grad. Project Overview Author: Laura Hillenbrand Published: 2010 Nonfiction, biography, historical Genre: Setting: multiple; Torrance, CA; Berlin, Germany; Oahu, Hawaii; Funafuti, Tuvalu; Pacific Ocean; Kawjalein (Execution Island), misc. locations under Japanese control; Long Beach, CA Objective like a reporter (no first person) Point of View: – Themes: Perseverance and Suffering; Human Dignity; Savagery of War Symbols: The Graf Zepelin - is a symbol of what's to come—an era of terrible, and terribly destructive, war. Planes The and the two planes Louie flew on - are reminders of how Superman Hornet – – unpredictable war is, and how many variables are at play at any given moment. They also make it explicitly clear that the men fighting are forced to make do with whatever equipment they're given—for better and for worse. Sharks While stationed on various Hawaiian islands, the men often pass their time by shooting – at and blowing up the sharks nearby. Sharks represent the danger that lurks for Louie and his crewmates, and are also a means for understanding each of the men based on how they handle their presence. Albatross referenced from Coleridge’s poem of the Ancient Mariner” albatross is – “Rime – associated with bad luck. Ignoring the warning from the poem, Louie kills the bird. Suggests the things that happen to the men are a result of killing the bird. Louie is haunted by a metaphoric albatross of his own: the guard they call the Bird (the cruel man who tortured Louie and whom Louie just can’t forget). Key Characters "Louie" Silvie Zamperini Louie is the hero of the story. He's the guy who almost breaks the four-minute mile, gets swept up into World War II, shot down in the Pacific, punches sharks in the face, etc. Russell Allen "Phil" Phillips
Background Notes – Unbroken Mod. Humanities/Grad. Project Overview Author: Laura Hillenbrand Published: 2010 Genre: Nonfiction, biography, historical Setting: multiple; Torrance, CA; Berlin, Germany; Oahu, Hawaii; Funafuti, Tuvalu; Pacific Ocean; Kawjalein (Execution Island), misc. locations under Japanese control; Long Beach, CA Point of View: Objective – like a reporter (no first person) Themes: Perseverance and Suffering; Human Dignity; Savagery of War Symbols: The Graf Zepelin - is a symbol of what's to come—an era of terrible, and terribly destructive, war. Planes – The Superman and Hornet – the two planes Louie flew on - are reminders of how unpredictable war is, and how many variables are at play at any given moment. They also make it explicitly clear that the men fighting are forced to make do with whatever equipment they're given—for better and for worse. Sharks – While stationed on various Hawaiian islands, the men often pass their time by shooting at and blowing up the sharks nearby. Sharks represent the danger that lurks for Louie and his crewmates, and are also a means for understanding each of the men based on how they handle their presence. Albatross – referenced from Coleridge’s poem “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” – albatross is associated with bad luck. Ignoring the warning from the poem, Louie kills the bird. Suggests the things that happen to the men are a result of killing the bird. Louie is haunted by a metaphoric albatross of his own: the guard they call the Bird (the cruel man who tortured Louie and whom Louie just can’t forget). Key Characters "Louie" Silvie Zamperini Louie is the hero of the story. He's the guy who almost breaks the four-minute mile, gets swept up into World War II, shot down in the Pacific, punches sharks in the face, etc. Russell Allen "Phil" Phillips
BackgrdNotes.docx