On The Rainy River By Tim O Brien

“On the Rainy River”, Tim O’Brien’s most prominent story, reveals “society’s contribution to shaping the character’s decision-making” (IPL). The story expresses emotions that drive from the war he was forced to take part in. The author of this story is Tim O’Brien, “attempting to relieve shame and guilt about his involvement in the war” (CliffNotes). “Post-colonial criticism plays an important role in the story, since it focuses on the relationship between colonizers and colonized people” (Dibekulu, 2022). Tim demonstrates this several times in his short story, expressing it from different perspectives depending on the text. Although this tale is based on the post-colonial perspective, it is separated into three segments, one of them being the political, psychological, and embodied

This subject, in particular, explores the depths of how society can affect a person’s decision-making. Similar to politics, society’s motive is to affect someone psychologically to the point that they are afraid to speak up their mind. Tim remarks, “I couldn't make up my mind. I feared the war, yes, but I also feared exile. I was afraid of walking away from my own Life, my friends and my family, my whole history, everything that mattered to me. I feared losing the respect of my parents. I feared the law. I feared ridicule and censure” (Tim, Pg. 5). It is evident from the quote that Tim just wanted to live life on his own terms, but the societal pressure pressurized him to go to the war. Subsequently, this took a huge toll on Tim’s life, as well as his mental health. He cared what other people will think of him if he fled from the war, and felt stupid, and ashamed, to take the right step (Tim, Pg. 9-10). This concludes that societal pressure can reduce self-confidence, thus increasing depression or anxiety, which is visible in Tim’s book; highlighting the significance of post-colonial