On the Rainy River Essay -- Literary Analysis, OBrien

Life can bring unexpected veritable(a)ts that man-to-mans efficiency not be prepared to confront. This was the case of OBrien in the story, On the Rainy River from the book The Things They Carried. As an author and character OBrien describes his experiences nigh the Vietnam War. In the story, he faces the conflict of whether he should or should not go to warfare after being drafted. He could not imagine how poser chargeing must be, without knowing how to date, and the reason for such a war. In addition, OBrien is terrified of the idea of leaving his family, friends and everything he loves behind. He decides to function international from his responsibility with the society. However, a feeling of shame and embarrassment makes him go to war. OBrien considers himself a coward for doing something he does not agree with on the early(a) hand, thinking about the outcome of his decision makes him a brave man. Therefore, an individual that considers the consequences of his ac ts is nobler than a war hero. The Vietnam War was a conflict that many the great unwashed did not comprehend. In fact, the war was atrocious and bloody. According to The Vietnam War a History in Documents, 58,000 US soldier died and more than 700,000 came back with material and emotional marks (Young, Fitzgerald & Grunfeld 147). For many Americans this war was meaningless. In the same way, OBrien admits, American war in Vietnam seemed to me wrong certain blood was being shed for uncertain reason (40). OBrien remembers the war was not significance. Furthermore, the overleap of logic in the matter makes him confused about going to war. Thats why, he does not understand why he was sent to involution a war for which causes and effects were uncertain. The author continues by saying, I was in like manner good for... ...hermore, going to war was an act of cowardice. He had to put diversion his morals and principles and fight a war he did not believe in. Overall, the author showed us the courageous and coward s acts of OBrien the character. The fact that he was a coward do him do a heroic act. OBrien do the valiant decision to go to war. It would have been easier and cowardly to jump and drown off from all his fears. However he decided to turn back, and fight for something he did not believe in. Thinking about the consequences of running away makes him a hero. He went to war not because he wanted to fight for his country, but for his own freedom. Either choice he could have made would take some kind of courage to carry out. Going to war required some sort of fearlessness. In other words, running away from the law would have been brave but going to war was even tougher.