Analysis

Louie’s refusal to become a propaganda tool for his Japanese captors shows remarkable growth. Often in his life, Louie has ignored the needs of others to indulge his wants at any cost—for example, his thefts of food and flouting of the law as a boy. In this situation, though, he chooses to deny his own desperate needs in order to honor fellow POWs, other military servicemen, and all Americans back home. This denial is even more significant because it includes turning away from the promise of food. From childhood, food has always symbolized emotional safety and comfort for Louie, but he denies himself that emotional satisfaction in order to stay true to his country. This is an exceptional moment for Louie Zamperini. It symbolizes a moral repentance characterized by new inner strength.