Throughout Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Billy feels
undeserving of the rewards or situation that he is put in. After his return
from Iraq, Billy is honestly a little confused why so many people appreciate
his service and find him so heroic. In Billy’s mind, what he did on the
battlefield was because of what he was trained to do. Billy understands that hasn’t
done very much in his life, as he is only 19 years old and someone with a
college degree. Thus, he doesn’t feel like he deserves all of the fame and
spotlight that comes with the Victory Tour.
This is especially true with Faison, who is one of the
Dallas Cowboys’ cheerleaders. When Fiason brings up how hard it must have been
for Billy to talk about his friend’s death, Billy tells Fiason that he doesn’t understand
why he is “[b]eing honored for the worst day of [his] life” (149). Later, while
they share an intimate moment, Billy freaks out and thinks about how lucky he
is for making out with a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Billy feels undeserving of
this situation, knowing that that world’s most desired cheerleaders aren’t supposed
to be attracted to an average male from Texas. What makes this moment in the
book more shocking is when Fiason tells Billy that being intimate with someone is
“a really serious thing for me” (155). This causes Billy to think that she wants
a relationship with him.
However, Sergeant Dime quickly brings Billy Lynn back to
reality. Dime knows that his intimate moment was insignificant and that Fiason
did it because “she was doing something nice for the troops” (179). Billy understands that Dime is right and that
any thought of a relationship with Fiason is irrational. Billy knows the sad
reality of his life as a “heroic” soldier. Once the Victory Tour ends and he
takes off his uniform, his life will revert back to boring life that he had
before. Faison is an individual that Billy wishes he could have, but when
reality sets in, he’s knows he’s just another 19 year old kid from Texas.
I agree with what you've said about Billy's feelings toward Faison, but I also think that there's more depth to her role in the story. Faison embodies the American ideal. She is a white, blond, Christian cheerleader who admires and sympathizes with America’s troops. You mention in your post that Billy is confused, and I think part of his intense attraction to Faison stems from his confusion. In one of the interviews we watched in class, Ben Fountain mentions that Billy is contemplating life’s existential questions. Faison’s unwavering faith, on the other hand, does not leave room for the uncertainties that consume Billy. During her first conversation with Billy, Faison asks if he is a Christian, and when he confesses that he is “searching” and that “praying doesn’t come so easy” after a tour in Iraq, she responds,
ReplyDeleteYou’ve been tested in so many ways, I know. But a lot of the time that’s how it works, life gets so dark until we think all the light’s gone out of us. But it’s there, it’s always there. If we just open the door a crack the light comes pouring in (151).
I think it’s possible that Billy is not only drawn to Faison’s allure as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader but also to the sense of certainty and security she provides as Billy grapples with the very vulnerable, uncertain life of a young soldier.
I think the fame of the Bravos can be seen through another character as well, Hector. Hector is a small character who represents a specific demographic. He demonstrates the person who is struggling enough where the Army is one of his only options. However, the Bravo tour has given some sort of light to Hector. If these guys are famous for what they're doing, and they get to meet the cheerleaders, then maybe the Army isn't so bad. However, Billy and Mango set him straight in saying that they have to go back to Iraq, where there isn't any fame and fortune for them. "Even the Army ain't that harsh" (70). Mango and Billy show Hector who they really are, normal people, and that helps shed some light on Hector about his decision to become a "famous soldier".
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with the idea that Faison is important to the story because she reveals just how uncomfortable with fame and adoration Billy is, I think she also represents much more than that. As we´ve mentioned in class, Billy seems to be very critical of the excess of American culture, going so far as to say that Americans are “bold and proud and certain in the way of clever children blessed with too much self-esteem” (45). The whole book works to strengthen this image of Americans as excessive and grandiose, which is obviously meant to condemn rather than praise American culture. So as a Dallas Cowboy´s cheerleader Faison is essentially the physical manifestation of all this superfluity that Billy criticizes, and yet she seems to be the only thing that Billy really wants. From the moment their eyes meet, Billy can´t stop thinking about Faison. His infatuation with her runs so deep that he even considers abandoning his duty and not returning to Iraq for her, something he refused to seriously consider even for his favorite sister. So I think Faison really represents American culture as a whole for Billy (all the very best and very worst parts of being an American). And through Faison we see that no matter how critical Billy may be, there is still something appealing/ seductive about America´s excessiveness.
ReplyDelete