The Lake of the Woods by Tim OBrien gives close insight to the lives and mental state of those

affected by the Vietnam War and in particular, the My Lai Massacre. The novel uses several literary
techniques to add depth and character to its story. In this particular passage, one sees use of irony, a
juxtaposition of John and Kathy Wade, and the use of flashbacks to keep interest in the novel.
OBriens writing leaves a lot open to the reader to decide, there is premise for a lot of things; but
there is still a lot the reader does not know, this unusual but effective writing technique is also seen
in this passage. (note: add more to this passage)
In this passage, there is a great deal of irony in what John and Kathy are arguing about. Kathy is
showing distrust in John and believes he is hiding something; as the reader knows, this is true, but it
is not exactly what Kathy thinks. The readers are led to believe that Kathy thinks John is having an
affair with somebody but it is actually Johns involvement in the My Lai Massacre which John is
hiding. The irony in this is that Kathy in the end is the one who has an affair and trys to hide it. This
passage talks of John and his life in the senate and the earlier years with Kathy. There is irony in this
too where