METHOD TO MEANING

Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?

Diction: 
Both Monosyllabic and Polysyllabic, casual, and abstract; connotative words are "laughing" "charming" "heart attack."


Imagery: 
Private First Class Paul Berlin an enlisted army member during the Vietnam War can't stop laughing about the death of Billy Boy.

Details: 
Title-"Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy"- Ironic title because of how Paul laughing at Billy's death
Dictionary Definition of "charming" - 1. a power of pleasing or attracting, as through personality or beauty. 2. to be fascinating or pleasing.
Connotation of "charming" - attractive, appealing; using appeal on others
Other Details: Laughing about Billy's death, and Paul thinking about what Billy's family would react to Billy's death; Billy's heart attack being seen as weak to the other soldiers.
"He (Paul)  imagined Billy's father opening the telegram: SORRY TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR SON BILLY BOY WAS YESTERDAY SCARED TO DEATH... He (Paul) giggled again.

Sentence Structure: 
Short to medium sentences with lots of dialogue and thought

Setting:
Vietnam, during the Vietnam War (1964 to 1973)

Point of View: 
3rd Person Limited

Protagonist: 
Private First Class Paul Berlin

Conflict: 
Paul-vs-Can't stop laughing/being afraid; the war that's going on

Climax: 
Paul keeps laughing about Billy Boy; how Billy Boy died

Theme: 
Life is harsh, but people try to think of the better things to cover the horrors.