Monday, December 2, 2019
On the Rainy River Debrief
A story that I thought I found really interesting was how the author, Tim O'Brien, tried to flee the country but couldn't bring himself to do it out of shame. It wasn't because he felt it was the moral thing to do but he wouldn't be able to face himself, his family, or friends. Elroy Berdahl never pestered or questioned him about what he was doing because he knew the best thing to do was for him to make his own decisions. He was exactly what Tim needed in that time. Just some time to think over his decision. In the end it wasn't a happy ending. He went to war because he was a coward, afraid to leave his old life behind.
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Although Elroy seems like an insignificant character, he was kind of a big part of Tim's decision to respond to the draft notice. Without him allowing for a space to think and make his own decision rather than influencing him, Tim could have ended up somewhere he would regret.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this was a very interesting and necessary story. I thought it was smart writing to include this story, because Tim O'Brien wouldn't have even gone to war and written this book without this experience. I feel like he ended up fighting two wars, one mental and one physical and I think throughout the stories he balances a mix of both wars. This one however, was a mental war with himself and it really allowed us to get to know O'Brien and relate to him as well
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of what you think but I find it interesting how you interpreted him deciding to go to war as an unhappy ending. Yes, war is not ideal but would deciding to go to Canada be a truly happy ending? I feel like then the guilt would shift from not going to war and escaping his "duty" to guilt for leaving his family behind.
ReplyDeleteTim was a coward but not a true coward. I think everyone in the Vietnam war had these intentions but in the end did not want to looked at as a coward or a quitter. He clearly did not want to let down his friends and family because by not going to war is just throwing away your life. You lose all your dignity as a man and all respect will be lost. I would be a coward most likely going into war but I would have to donate my body to nam, no questions asked.
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