Fountain shows that American entertainment is traumatizing to veterans.The spectacle commodifies war for civilian amusement. Shifting Perspectives on Brotherhood
Ben Fountain’s 2012 novel Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk exposes a massive cultural divide.The story takes place over a single day.It follows 19-year-old Bravo Company soldier Billy Lynn.Billy survived a fierce, filmed firefight in Iraq.The Pentagon sends his squad on a promotional "Victory Tour."The climax happens at a Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving football game.Fountain contrasts the reality of war with American commercialism. The Hypocrisy of the Home Front Billy Lynn-s Long Halftime Walk