Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk

by

Ben Fountain

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk makes teaching easy.

General Ruthven Character Analysis

General Ruthven is a higher-up in the Army and is the person Billy and Sergeant Dime are forced to speak to when they refuse Norm Oglesby's offer of funding for the Bravo Squad film. Fortunately for Billy and Bravo Squad, General Ruthven is a Steelers fan (and therefore hates the Cowboys by default), so he doesn't force Bravo to accept Norm's deal.
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General Ruthven Character Timeline in Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk

The timeline below shows where the character General Ruthven appears in Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
17. Money Makes Us Real
Fantasy vs. Reality in the Media Theme Icon
Class, Power, and Money Theme Icon
The Absurdity of War Theme Icon
...hangs up, he explains that Norm knows someone high up in the Army, and a General Ruthven is going to call to speak to Dime and Billy. Albert asks if the Army... (full context)
Class, Power, and Money Theme Icon
The Absurdity of War Theme Icon
...to Mr. Jones and leads Billy out and back to their seats. He explains that General Ruthven is from a town near Pittsburgh and is a Steelers fan, meaning he hates the... (full context)
18. The Proud Good-Bye
Fantasy vs. Reality in the Media Theme Icon
Class, Power, and Money Theme Icon
Heroism and Humanity Theme Icon
...interrupts his reverie. Albert wants to know why Dime won't pick up and explains that General Ruthven won't make them accept the deal. He says that Norm is upset, though he muses... (full context)