Throughout the short story, Just Before the War with the Eskimos by J.D. Salinger, numerous themes can be tied to the story. It can be identified that Ginny’s brother, Franklin, had remotely alluded to the oncoming Korean War when he had stated, "‘We’re gonna fight the Eskimos next,’”(Salinger 48). In this quote, Franklin could be referring to the Koreans as “Eskimos” because the people who live in North Korea are not too far removed from the territories inhabited by the Siberian Eskimos. Overall, this story relates to war, and probably Salinger’s experience with war. However, the method in which Salinger mentions war is very remote, vague, and metaphorical. A conversation that Ginny has with Franklin about her sister’s engagement seems to depress Franklin (even though he does not show it), because he may have had feelings for her. Franklin mentions, “He turned to her wearily. ‘Listen. I wrote her eight g****m letters. Eight. She didn’t answer one of ‘em,’”(Salinger 47). This quote sets more of a dismal tone for the story and the emotional colors surrounding it. Additionally, the fact that Selena is unkind to Ginny, and almost a bully, also adds to the heartache that looms around the edges of this story. The emotions that these symbols provoke can be associated with those of war: sadness and heartache. Therefore, war seems to be the main theme with Just Before the War with the Eskimos.