English 1110.01 at 1:30, MW
09/05/18
Exploration 3: Reading Response to The Things They Carried
The story that has the meant to the most to me so far is the chapter On the Rainy River. This story stood out to me among the others because I was able to empathize with how Tim O'Brien felt about being drafted off to war. This was interesting to me because the author uses interior monologue to show the reader the internal conflict going on in Tim's head. The part that captivated my attention specifically was when the author writes, "I could've done it. I could've jumped and started swimming for my life. Inside me, in my chest, I felt a terrible squeezing pressure" (O'Brien 54). This quote displays how O'Brien could've fled the country, but he chose to stay and go to war.
The character that has stood out the most to me is O'Brien. The reason why he stood out is because he is the easiest character to empathize with because he is telling the story from his point of view. I also feel like if I were in his shoes I would have the same internal conflict on whether I would want to go to war or flee.
The character that has stood out the most to me is O'Brien. The reason why he stood out is because he is the easiest character to empathize with because he is telling the story from his point of view. I also feel like if I were in his shoes I would have the same internal conflict on whether I would want to go to war or flee.
It certainly is easy to relate to the narrator in a first person narrative. That's exactly the point of the style. The whole possibility of O'Brien abandoning the war is an interesting one to read and think about. It's a question about how important self preservation is compared to sacrificing for the greater good. What do you think you would've done if you were in that situation? For me, I would've probably succumbed to the same guilt that O'Brien faced and gone to the war.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the chapter "On the Rainy River" is the most important because of the interior monologue. The whole conversation he has with himself is very deep and makes you feel for O'Brien. I can see why you choose O'Brien as a important character because he is easy to empathize with. I also don't think I would have been able to overcome the guilt of skipping out on the war while others went and died.
ReplyDeleteI think O'brien is an interesting character as well because we get the opportunity to feel what he feels, and we can see his thought process about what war is like. Reading it from his perspective takes us through the struggle and the guilt that he had to deal with and still does.
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