Chapter Eight Summary and Analysis

On September 14, Rowe is taken on a tour of the region. He's told to expect animosity from the natives and has been repeatedly told that the National Liberation Front has the full support of the people. What Rowe finds is that the people are not fully supportive and that many are curious about Rowe, having heard lengthy lessons on the evil American aggressors and finding, instead, this ordinary man who is overly skinny and speaks their own language. In a village near Tan Phu, Rowe is recognized from his visits there to offer medical care and other help prior to his capture. There, someone braves punishment to touch Rowe on the shoulder and ask if he is alright. One older woman questions Rowe's captors, asking why Rowe is so skinny when she'd seen him at a much healthier weight...