Character - Theme Tie-In

The theme of the ability to change ties in with Leper and his decisions. Leper is the first to enlist in the army, which surprises most of his classmates, especially Gene. Leper experiences things in the war that many could not handle. It is a big adjustment for him and it affects him drastically. After returning from the war, he is a completely different person, most thinking that he is psycho. He is able to stand up to Brinker towards the end of the novel and he has no problem admitting to Gene that he saw what he did to Finny. He is rude with Gene and makes us think that the war has impacted him negatively, but it did have a positive affect on him too. He become mentally stronger and confident in himself, which show us that change really is possible.