The Yellow Birds

by

Kevin Powers

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Yellow Birds makes teaching easy.
Present at all stages of Bartle’s time in Iraq, the lieutenant (or LT) gives the soldiers information about upcoming battles. Although he is probably not much older than Bartle himself, he has an air of maturity and detachment that make him seem reserved. He usually speaks to the soldiers in an honest tone, free of aggression and occasionally punctuated by fear.
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The Lieutenant (LT) Character Timeline in The Yellow Birds

The timeline below shows where the character The Lieutenant (LT) appears in The Yellow Birds. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1: September 2004 – Al Tafar, Nineveh Province, Iraq
War, Violence, and Detachment Theme Icon
Memory and Trauma Theme Icon
...and any trace of ordinary civilian life gone. As the sun begins to rise, the lieutenant, a detached, reserved man, explains that the third platoon will try to lead the enemy... (full context)
War, Violence, and Detachment Theme Icon
Companionship vs. Solitude Theme Icon
...In the meantime, Bartle watches the leaves of some trees move in the wind. The lieutenant comes by to congratulate the soldiers on their good work and Bartle wonders if they... (full context)
Chapter 3: March 2005 – Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Companionship vs. Solitude Theme Icon
...then realizes it is close to dawn, so he returns to the base, where the lieutenant is angry and tells Bartle to clean up. Later, Sterling tells Bartle that he covered... (full context)
Chapter 4: September 2004 – Al Tafar, Nineveh Province, Iraq
War, Violence, and Detachment Theme Icon
Justice, Morality, and Guilt Theme Icon
The lieutenant then walks up to them and announces that the colonel is coming. The soldiers prepare... (full context)
War, Violence, and Detachment Theme Icon
The lieutenant then explains that they will move into the field before dawn and Bartle feels overwhelmed... (full context)
Chapter 5: March 2005 – Richmond, Virginia
War, Violence, and Detachment Theme Icon
Memory and Trauma Theme Icon
Companionship vs. Solitude Theme Icon
...in the U.S., a sign thanking the soldiers for their service welcomes them and the lieutenant gives them a short speech reminding them not to drink and drive or hit their... (full context)
Chapter 6: September 2004 – Al Tafar, Nineveh Province, Iraq
War, Violence, and Detachment Theme Icon
Companionship vs. Solitude Theme Icon
...wait in a ditch, Bartle feels afraid of dying. In the eerily quiet orchard, the lieutenant signals to move forward and Bartle concludes that he is only following orders because Murph,... (full context)
War, Violence, and Detachment Theme Icon
...in the middle whose head has been cut off and placed on his chest. The lieutenant curses and explains that this is a body bomb. (full context)