David McLean’s short story “Marine Corps Issue” includes a beautifully vivid scene of Sergeant Bowen, the narrator Johnny’s father, “sitting on the edge of our elevated garden, black ashes from a distant fire falling lightly like snow around him” (620). While this scene is powerful by itself, it can be appreciated even more by understanding the symbolism and allusions embedded in it, as well as the psychological state of the father as he sits “on the edge of the garden with his head down and his eyes closed as if in prayer” (634). This is why McLean’s readers should use literary criticism: it enhances their appreciation for the story’s impact. Prior to the climax, Johnny has spent weeks researching the Vietnam War. The location in which he
In the autobiography, a Rumor of War, Philip Caputo, talks about his experience in the Vietnam War. He tells us why he joins the Marines until the day he was released from active duty. A rumor for the story about war and how it changed men like Phillip Caputo, John Kerry Silvio Burgio and Tim Carey. This paper is based on Philip Caputo and how the Vietnam War changed him through his time before the war, during the war and after the war.
As O’Brien tells what he would consider to be a ture war story of two young Vietnam soldiers he writes, “ They were kids; they just didn’t know. A nature hike, they thought, not even a war … they were giggling and calling each other yellow mother and playing a silly game they invented” (O’Brien 270). With O’briens words he reminices with his readers about childhood. The soldiers he writes about, under different circumstances, could have easily been kids in a school yard or a summer camp. True war stories show the gruesomeness of war, childrens lives lost faster than the blink of an eye.
The Dark side of War What is it felt like to be a veteran who has suffered from the trauma of war that leaves multiple scars? As a Vietnam War veteran, Yusef Komunyaka in his short poem “Facing It” narrates his experience along with his emotional struggle as he visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Phil Klay, who is also a veteran served in Iraq, in his short story “Redeployment”, attempted to show how it feels like in a war zone and what happened to the soldiers who returned. These stories gives a peek into one of the most difficult phases a person can face in a life time. The sequencing of the collection reflects the disorder of a soldier’s life.
“American Reckoning: The Vietnam War and our National Identity” is a book that takes us through 20 years of the War in Vietnam from about 1955 to 1975. The Vietnam War is the second longest war in US history encompassing 5 presidents which include Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford. Appy’s book gives a unique American perspective on incredible, horrifying, and inspiring stories in Vietnam as well as American. Through Apps book readers learn about different communism containment methods that America used. Readers also learn about different methods of attack on Vietnam from an American standpoint and how the different failures of the US army and US politicians turned many heads into hard truths about the war.
Novelist, Tim O’Brien writes short semi true stories about his and other’s experiences in the Vietnam war. O’Brien wanted to explain to his audience what happens in war and how it effects people after the fact. O’Brien really helps his audience acknowledge how much war really does change people. Tim’s dynamic use of symbolism, imagery, and figurative language emphasizes the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that people experience during and after the war. O’Brien begins by analyzing the thoughts of sorrow and loss overwhelm the Vietnam veterans upon their return back home.
He does a fascinating job at showcasing the most internal confines of the psyches of those who fought, which leads into my analysis of this short story. During the Vietnam war, everything in the physical environment was a threat but even the psychological landscape of those in it were fighting wars on two separate fronts, physically and mentally, it took a harsh toll on them and in turn, the writing of those experiences
Philip Caputo, a former American Lieutenant, wrote the influential memoir, A Rumor of War, recapping his memories and perspectives serving during the Vietnam War. A Rumor of War was published in 1977, shortly after the US withdrew from Vietnam, and reflects the cultural and political context of that time period. The Vietnam War was one of the most disputed conflicts in United States history due to its extreme controversy and execution during its span. Throughout the story, Caputo’s memoir offers a thoughtful and introspective recollection of his experiences in Vietnam, and addresses instances of good and evil, justice and injustice, and the devastating consequences that come from war.
Readers, especially those reading historical fiction, always crave to find believable stories and realistic characters. Tim O’Brien gives them this in “The Things They Carried.” Like war, people and their stories are often complex. This novel is a collection stories that include these complex characters and their in depth stories, both of which are essential when telling stories of the Vietnam War. Using techniques common to postmodern writers, literary techniques, and a collection of emotional truths, O’Brien helps readers understand a wide perspective from the war, which ultimately makes the fictional stories he tells more believable.
In “A Rumor of War”, Philip Caputo goes into detail about the psychological effects that fighting in the Vietnam War had on American military personnel beyond just their physical injuries. The war was hard on all the people involved. The war deeply affected the values, ethics, and cultural norms of those involved. Caputo exposes the raw reality of war, he paints a vivid portrait of the loss of innocence, moral ambiguity, desensitization to violence, and the trauma that followed them after the war was over. Through the experiences of him and other people, Caputo illustrates the emotions and struggles that defined the Vietnam War generation.
divulge into the history of the Vietnam war, or “Bad” war, to better understand the actions of the soldiers in the story. As many readers cannot relate or completely understand the traumas soldiers endured during the war, the authors of the article provide a background for readers to put knowledge into the reading. The article is written to determine the moral compass of the soldiers and how the war shaped them to make decisions and actions.
War is Hell Approximately 30% of men and 27% of women had PTSD at some point in their life following Vietnam. “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien is a collection of interconnected stories about soldiers during the Vietnam War, exploring the physical and emotional burdens they carry. For the book club assessment choice, I chose to do a moodboard that represents the real aspects of war. Tim O’Brien’s novel, “The Things They Carried”, explores how war affects soldiers both physically and emotionally, while also making sense of how storytelling can help people find some relief from the heavy burdens they carry.
They may never be able to lead a normal life or start a family, given the traumas they have experienced. Overall, the story captures the harsh realities of war and how it affects everyone involved. It highlights the sacrifices that soldiers make and the cost that comes with it. Tim O’Brien redefines courage by sharing his personal and theatrical experiences during the Vietnam War. He emphasizes his position on anti-war, educates on the effect war has on mental health, and shows various coping mechanisms men used during and after their time in
The soldiers in the Vietnam War are portrayed as losing themselves in the chaos and trauma of combat. Through the stories of the soldiers and their experiences, O’Brien explores the ways in which war strips away one's sense of identity and humanity. The author himself is depicted as losing himself in the war. O'Brien served in the Vietnam War, and his experiences inspired much of the book. Through the character of Tim O'Brien, the author explores the ways in which war can strip away one's sense of self and purpose.
“Stop the Sun” by Gary Paulson is a short story about ) Terry's father has PTSD and his eyes rolled back of his eyes win he remember his past. Terry what to help his father so He asked his teacher and his teacher his teacher told him good Ventom books. Terry what to ask his father about Ventom and his father didn’t what to tell him at first because he thought that Terry met be scared because it was a horrific experience but his father told him that he was the last one in his unit. Through the actions of the characters, readers understand that Gary Paulson shows that soldiers who went throw war have fear.
