In the short story "On the Rainy River" by Tim O'Brien, a young man named Tim needs to make a difficult decision: whether to go to war or flee to Canada to avoid the draft. Tim O'Brien explores the nature of motivation, particularly as it relates to difficult decisions and moral dilemmas. Motivation is a complex concept that many factors, such as personal values, social pressure, external rewards, power, and fear, can influence. Many factors make it difficult for him to decide, including shame, society's pressure, and his values. Tim’s goal in this short story is to decide based on his values, which can be difficult because one can lose self-respect when others don't agree with their beliefs. Therefore, for an individual's well-being, decisions must be based …show more content…
This can lead to a lack of authenticity and a sense of disconnection from our true selves, which can be harmful to our mental health and overall well-being, along with a sense of disempowerment and a lack of control over our lives. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, which can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can contribute to mental health problems such as depression. In conclusion, the short story "On the Rainy River" is a great example of the reality of making difficult decisions and the complex nature of motivation that pushes oneself to make them. Through Tim's moral dilemma, we see how motivation can be influenced by fear, shame, and a desire for self-respect. Tim's decision is not driven by a single factor but is instead influenced by a range of emotions and motivations. This reflects the reality of decision-making in real life, where there are rarely simple answers, and the importance of knowing how to navigate difficult decisions in our own lives because, like Tim, we do not want to regret or be ashamed of our