"Now I Lay Me" Summary

A young American soldier in Italy lies in the hospital after surviving a nighttime bombing. He is afraid to sleep in the dark and devises different fantasy games to stay awake. He remembers all the streams where he enjoyed fishing as a boy. He remembers all the events of his life in order. During the night, he has a conversation with his Italian commander, who urges him to marry and settle down. That officer returns to visit him in the hospital many times.

"Now I Lay Me" Analysis

The title plays on the popular children's prayer, "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep." The soldier does his own version of praying in order to get through the night. While it is not stated in the story, the implication exists that the soldier's injury is too...