“A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

“A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh was originally published in 2013 as the titular story within his debut short story collection, Brief Encounters with the Enemy. This work offers an unflinching and disorienting examination of contemporary warfare. Centered on a young soldier named Luke, the story interrogates the impersonal nature of battle and challenges traditional distinctions between civilians and enemy combatants. Sayrafiezadeh employs a stark, powerful prose style that emphasizes the enduring emotional and psychological burden of conflict for those involved.

Main Events: “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

1. Deployment Preparation:
   • Luke, the protagonist, prepares for deployment, laden with equipment and anxious about the unknown.
   • He encounters Becky, sparking a potential romantic interest before leaving.
2. Deployment Experience:
   • Luke’s deployment is marked by anticipation for action, but instead, he faces months of monotony and boredom in a remote location.
   • He exchanges sporadic emails with Becky, whose concern contrasts with his disillusionment.
3. Daily Routine and Challenges:
   • Luke’s daily routine involves mundane tasks, training, and waiting for signs of enemy activity.
   • The lack of appropriate gear and adverse weather conditions, like rain, affect their operations.
4. Bridge Construction:
   • Luke and his unit are tasked with constructing a bridge, a monotonous endeavor aimed at crossing a valley to reach a supposed enemy stronghold.
   • Despite deliberate inefficiencies, the bridge is completed, leading to a sense of foreboding about the impending mission.
5. Anticipation and Anxiety:
   • As Luke and his unit approach the hill overlooking the enemy territory, tension and fear mount.
   • The group’s motives for joining the military are questioned, revealing personal doubts and societal pressures.
6. Anti-Climactic Discovery:
   • Upon reaching the hill, the supposed enemy territory is deserted, shattering expectations and leaving the soldiers disillusioned.
   • The absence of conflict intensifies feelings of futility and aimlessness among the troops.
7. Descent into Boredom:
   • With no imminent threat, boredom becomes pervasive, leading Luke to seek solace in routine and escapism.
   • Dreams of heroic exploits contrast sharply with the drudgery of daily life.
8. False Sense of Purpose:
   • The soldiers resort to cheering passing planes, unaware that they are unmanned drones, highlighting their disconnect from the actual conflict.
9. Fateful Encounter:
   • Luke spots a figure in the distance, potentially an enemy, stirring a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
   • Observing through binoculars, he sees a man and a child, later revealed to be an innocent bystander.
10. Moral Dilemma and Action:
    • Luke, grappling with his humanity and indoctrination, takes a shot at the perceived enemy, unaware of the consequences.
    • His impulsive decision leads to fatal consequences, highlighting the brutality and moral ambiguity of war.
11. Reflection and Regret:
    • Despite the darkness of his actions, Luke feels a pang of remorse and helplessness as he witnesses the aftermath.
    • His descent down the hill symbolizes his return to the mundane reality, haunted by guilt and uncertainty.
12. Emotional Fallout:
    • Luke’s internal turmoil intensifies as he grapples with the moral implications of his actions, contrasting with the superficial celebrations upon their return home.
13. Reckoning with Reality:
    • The story concludes with Luke’s return home, where the facade of heroism crumbles in the face of his personal reckoning.
    • His futile quest for purpose and adventure ends in disillusionment and regret.
14. Themes of Futility and Moral Ambiguity:
    • The story explores the disillusionment and moral dilemmas faced by soldiers in war, highlighting the senselessness and futility of conflict.
    • Luke’s journey reflects the broader societal disillusionment with the glorification of war and its human cost.
15. Final Reflection:
    • The narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the human toll of war and the lingering scars it leaves on individuals and societies, urging introspection and empathy in the face of conflict.

Literary Devices: “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

Literary Device	Example	Explanation
Allusion	“Luke spots a figure in the distance, potentially an enemy.”	The reference to “an enemy” alludes to the overarching theme of conflict and danger in war.
Characterization	“Despite deliberate inefficiencies, the bridge is completed.”	This characterization reveals the flaws and limitations of the soldiers’ approach to their tasks.
Conflict	“As Luke and his unit approach the hill, tension mounts.”	The conflict between anticipation and fear heightens the narrative tension, driving the plot forward.
Foreshadowing	“The lack of appropriate gear and adverse weather conditions affect their operations.”	This hints at the challenges the soldiers will face later in the story.
Imagery	“Observing through binoculars, he sees a man and a child.”	The visual imagery created by the binoculars underscores the sense of distance and detachment in the scene.
Irony	“The soldiers cheer passing planes, unaware they’re drones.”	The irony lies in their celebration of something they perceive as positive, which actually symbolizes their detachment.
Metaphor	“His descent down the hill symbolizes his return to reality.”	The descent serves as a metaphor for Luke’s return to the harsh realities of life after the events on the hill.
Motif	“Boredom becomes pervasive, leading Luke to seek escapism.”	The motif of boredom recurs throughout the story, reflecting the monotony and disillusionment of military life.
Personification	“The facade of heroism crumbles in the face of his reckoning.”	Heroism, an abstract concept, is personified as something tangible that can crumble, emphasizing its fragility.
Repetition	“The lack of appropriate gear and adverse weather conditions.”	The repetition emphasizes the ongoing challenges faced by the soldiers, reinforcing their sense of struggle.
Satire	“The soldiers resort to cheering passing planes, unaware they’re drones.”	This satirizes the soldiers’ ignorance and disconnectedness from the reality of modern warfare.
Simile	“Dreams of heroic exploits contrast sharply with the drudgery of daily life.”	The simile highlights the stark juxtaposition between Luke’s aspirations and the harsh reality he faces.
Symbolism	“His futile quest for purpose and adventure.”	The quest symbolizes the broader human desire for meaning and fulfillment, which ultimately remains elusive for Luke.
Theme	“The narrative serves as a reminder of the human toll of war.”	The theme of the story revolves around the devastating impact of war on individuals and societies.
Tone	“His futile quest for purpose and adventure ends in disillusionment.”	The tone of disillusionment pervades the narrative, reflecting the grim realities faced by the protagonist.
Flashback	“Luke recalls his encounter with Becky before deployment.”	This flashback provides insight into Luke’s emotional state and foreshadows the impact of his experiences on his psyche.
Foil	“Becky’s concern contrasts with Luke’s disillusionment.”	Becky’s character serves as a foil to Luke, highlighting his emotional distance and detachment from his surroundings.
Hyperbole	“The soldiers cheer passing planes, unaware they’re drones.”	The exaggerated cheer emphasizes the soldiers’ obliviousness to the true nature of the passing aircraft.
Juxtaposition	“Dreams of heroic exploits contrast sharply with the drudgery of daily life.”	The contrast between dreams and reality accentuates the disparity between Luke’s aspirations and his actual experiences.

Characterization: “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

Major Characters

• Luke: The protagonist of the story. Luke is a young soldier disillusioned with his service after a year in a war zone. He enlisted with misplaced ideals and heroism, seeking escape from a mundane life. He is characterized by:
•  Boredom: Much of his experience is defined by waiting and repetitive tasks.
• Existential Anguish: He becomes disillusioned, realizing his time in the military may result in no significant transformation or impact.
• Moral Conflict: This culminates in the climactic act of violence, blurring the lines between enemy and civilian.
• The Sergeant: A stereotypical military figure who embodies authority and unthinking adherence to orders.
  • Harsh Command: He motivates through criticism and threats, emphasizing military hierarchy.
  • Patriotic Zeal: Contrasts starkly with the soldiers’ growing disillusionment
• Becky: Luke’s connection to his civilian life and a potential for a different future.
  • Naive Enthusiasm: Her excitement and support contrast with Luke’s apathy, highlighting the disconnect between civilian and military experiences.
  • Idealized Love Interest: She serves as a symbolic escape for Luke from the harsh realities of war.

Minor Characters

• The Enemy: A fat, bald man accompanied by a young boy. His identity and any true threat remain unknown.
• The Other Soldiers: Luke’s comrades are largely defined by their collective experience. There’s a mix of farm boys and black boys, suggesting the wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds converging in the military.

Characterization Techniques

• Internal Monologue: Much of the story is told through Luke’s thoughts, revealing his boredom, disillusionment, and the inner conflict that drives his actions.
• Symbolism: Objects like Becky’s emails, the ever-present flies, and Luke’s office cubicle all become symbols of Luke’s past life, the futility of his experience, and his potential return to a mundane existence.
• Contrast: The juxtaposition of Becky’s enthusiasm with Luke’s boredom, and the sergeant’s fervor with the soldiers’ apathy highlights the central themes of disillusionment and moral ambiguity.
• Climax: The sudden, jarring act of violence committed by Luke serves as a culmination of his frustrations and internal conflict, shattering the facade of military heroism.

Major Themes: “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

• Theme 1: The Banality of War This story subverts the typical war narrative filled with combat and heroism. Instead, it emphasizes the drudgery, waiting, and mundane aspects of a soldier’s experience. Luke’s initial excitement devolves into boredom and a sense of futility. Days are filled with tasks like building a bridge meant for an enemy who might not even exist. The lack of action underscores how far removed this war is from traditional portrayals of conflict.
• Theme 2: Disillusionment with Military Ideals Luke joins the army with misplaced notions of heroism and adventure, perhaps influenced by propaganda and a desire to escape his cubicle job. However, he finds no glory or transformative experiences. Instead, he encounters petty bureaucracy, incompetent leadership, and a feeling of purposelessness. The stark contrast between his expectations and the reality of his deployment leaves him profoundly disillusioned.
• Theme 3: The Psychological Toll of War Luke’s internal monologue reveals a deep psychological toll brought on by his experiences. The boredom, combined with constant potential danger, create an existential crisis. He questions whether any of his actions will have lasting meaning or impact. This psychological burden is further highlighted in his dreams of action and his growing moral conflict, culminating in the story’s climactic event.
• Theme 4: Blurring the Lines Between Enemy and Civilian The story ultimately challenges simplistic notions of “the enemy.” When Luke finally encounters a potential enemy combatant, it’s a middle-aged man with a child, a shockingly ordinary image. The final act of violence blurs the lines, questioning the validity of the entire conflict and emphasizing the brutal dehumanization that war entails. The distance and anonymity of a faraway war made it easier to conceptualize the enemy, but this encounter forces Luke to confront the true human cost.

Writing Style: “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

Literary Theories and Interpretation: “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

Literary Theory	Interpretation	Example from the Story
Marxist Criticism	Analyzes social class, power dynamics, and economic issues	The soldiers’ disillusionment reflects broader societal dissatisfaction with military intervention and exploitation.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Explores characters’ subconscious desires, fears, and motivations	Luke’s desire for adventure masks deeper feelings of inadequacy and the need for validation.
Feminist Criticism	Focuses on gender roles, stereotypes, and power imbalances	Becky’s absence highlights the marginalization of women’s voices and experiences in a male-dominated military context.
Postcolonial Criticism	Examines the effects of colonialism, imperialism, and cultural hegemony	The deployment to a foreign land underscores the legacy of Western domination and the perpetuation of global power dynamics.
New Historicism	Considers historical context and how literature reflects and shapes its cultural milieu	The story reflects contemporary anxieties about military engagement and the consequences of geopolitical decisions.
Reader-Response Criticism	Emphasizes the role of the reader in interpreting and constructing meaning from the text	Different readers may empathize with Luke’s disillusionment or critique his choices based on their own perspectives and experiences.
Formalist Criticism	Focuses on the text’s formal elements such as structure, style, and language	The use of sparse, understated prose mirrors the bleakness of Luke’s environment and his emotional detachment.
Structuralist Criticism	Analyzes narrative structure and patterns of meaning	The story’s cyclical structure, with Luke’s return to mundanity after moments of excitement, suggests the inevitability of his disillusionment.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements: “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

Topic	Question	Thesis Statement
The Banality of War	How does the story portray the soldier’s experience of war?	Despite expectations of heroism and action, the story depicts war as a monotonous and unfulfilling experience filled with waiting and mundane tasks.
Disillusionment with Military Ideals	How does Luke’s experience in the military differ from his initial expectations?	Luke’s initial excitement about serving in the military is shattered by the harsh realities of boredom, bureaucracy, and a lack of purpose.
The Psychological Toll of War	What impact does war have on Luke’s mental state?	The constant threat of danger and the meaninglessness of his actions cause Luke to experience deep disillusionment, existential crisis, and moral conflict.
Blurring the Lines Between Enemy and Civilian	How does the story challenge traditional ideas about the enemy in war?	The story subverts the concept of a clear-cut enemy by portraying the potential enemy as an ordinary civilian, forcing the protagonist to confront the human cost of war.

Short Questions/Answers about“A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

• Question 1: How does the story use language and imagery to illustrate Luke’s boredom and stagnation?
• Answer: The story employs repetitive language, mirroring the mundanity of Luke’s tasks. Phrases like “fifty of us” and descriptions of daily routines emphasize monotony. Imagery focuses on the unchanging landscape (“the hill,” “the path”) and the ever-present, buzzing flies, symbolizing the inescapable nature of his boredom.
• Question 2: In what ways does Becky represent a disconnect between Luke’s realities and civilian life?
• Answer: Becky’s romanticized view of Luke’s role (“You’re going on an adventure!”) contrasts sharply with his grim experiences. Her redacted emails and insistence on knowing his exact actions highlight the lack of understanding civilians have about the soldiers’ true experience. Luke’s diminishing interest in her emails shows his growing disillusionment and the distance between their worlds.
• Question 3: Does Luke’s final act represent heroism, cowardice, or something else entirely?
• Answer: Luke’s violent decision is deeply ambiguous. It could be an impulsive act born of frustration, a demonstration of misplaced power, or a desperate attempt to validate a meaningless year of service. There’s no heroism involved, rather a disturbing act highlighting the warping effect of war on an individual’s moral compass.
• Question 4: What message does the story ultimately convey about the nature of war?
• Answer: The story challenges simplistic notions of heroism and demonization of the enemy. It highlights the devastating psychological impact on soldiers and the blurring of the line between civilian and combatant. Sayrafiezadeh offers no easy answers, instead illustrating the brutalizing, dehumanizing effect war ultimately has on those who engage in it.

Literary Works Similar to “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

1. “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien: Like “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy,” O’Brien’s work delves into the psychological and emotional toll of war on soldiers, exploring themes of disillusionment and the blurred lines between friend and foe.
2. “Redeployment” by Phil Klay: This collection of short stories offers a raw and unflinching look at the experiences of soldiers during and after deployment, similar to the gritty realism found in Sayrafiezadeh’s story.
3. Going After Cacciato by Tim O’Brien: Another work by O’Brien, this novel follows a soldier who goes AWOL in Vietnam, weaving together elements of surrealism and realism to explore the complexities of war and the human psyche.
4. The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers: Powers’ novel provides a haunting portrayal of the Iraq War through the eyes of a young soldier, grappling with themes of guilt, trauma, and the search for meaning amidst the chaos of combat.
5. Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain: Set during a victory tour for soldiers in Iraq, this novel offers a satirical and poignant commentary on the disconnect between the reality of war and its portrayal in the media and society, similar to the critical lens through which Sayrafiezadeh examines military experiences.

Suggested Readings about/on “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

Books

• Keegan, John. The Book of War: 25 centuries of great war writing. Penguin, 2000. (This collection would likely include similar works exploring themes of disillusionment and the psychological toll of war).
• Sayrafiezadeh, Saïd. Brief Encounters with the Enemy: Fiction. Dial Press, 2013.

Articles

• Sayrafiezadeh, Saïd. “The Name on My Coffee Cup.” My Shadow Is My Skin: Voices from the Iranian Diaspora. University of Texas Press, 2020. 97-101.
• Sayrafiezadeh, Saïd. “The Afflicted.” Columbia: A Journal of Literature and Art 43 (2006): 71-96.
• Eaves, Elisabeth. “Child of the devolution: growing up red.” (2010): 90-94.
• Fotouhi, Sanaz. “An analysis of literary representations of Iranian men in diasporic Iranian literature.” PORTAL: Journal of Multidisciplinary International Studies 11.1 (2014): 1-20.

Websites

• The War Literature Website: https://www.neh.gov/divisions/odh/humanities-open-book (Explore this website for biographical information on Sayrafiezadeh and other relevant authors writing about war).
• Critical Studies in Men’s Fashion: https://www.intellectbooks.com/critical-studies-in-mens-fashion (This journal might offer critical analyses on the intersection of masculinity and military portrayals that could be relevant to Luke’s character).

Quotes from “A Brief Encounter with The Enemy” by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh

Quotation	Context
“If I’d had to run, I wouldn’t have remembered how.”	Luke reflects on the initial terror of the path and how it has dissipated with familiarity.
“What kind of trees are these?…’Christmas trees.'”	Luke’s attempt at curiosity is met with a darkly humorous response from a fellow soldier during their patrol.
“…nothing was funny, that if you could get shot in the face at any moment then nothing could be funny.”	The sergeant rebukes his soldiers’ laughter, emphasizing the gravity of their situation.
“…it felt as if you were getting a call on your cell phone.”	Luke describes the sensation of firing his weapon, highlighting its disarming ease and disconnection from reality.
“They’re all dead!”	Luke’s sister enthusiastically embraces target practice, contrasting his own revulsion.
“Travelling in style…”	The soldiers sarcastically remark on the donated plane they’re returning home with, suggesting a lack of gratitude.
“…we didn’t want to get over the hill.”	Luke reveals the unspoken truth about their work on the bridge: fear of what awaited them on the other side.
“…it cost forty dollars.”	The sergeant’s surprising response to Luke dropping a blowtorch shows an emphasis on material cost over safety.
“Put down the tools of your trade, men.”	A farm boy attempts to suggest rebellion among the soldiers, highlighting the frustration of their labor.
“There’s no one in those planes. Those are drones.”	The sergeant disillusioned Luke and the others about their cheering of overhead planes, emphasizing their isolation.