We would end up like other countries- controlled and not able to make individual decisions. People like this should be recognize and not ignored. They should be commended. Veterans go through lots of pain during battle and war. Most people can’t imagine that, much less how it feels to lose a good friend to an explosion, or constantly think of how their families are doing without them.
This brings conflict into the story, Lyman struggles to awaken his brothers old self by trashing their beloved red convertible in an attempt to get his brother Henry to return to his normal self. In the story, the material is not exactly arranged in chronological order. The main protagonist has a number of flashbacks within the short story. These flashbacks serve as a reflection and sheds some light on Lyman's and his brothers experiences, closeness, and attitudes. The effect that is achieved through this organization of the plot is that it grants the readers and insight into the actions, personalities, and emotions of each of the bothers.
Even more impactful to Paul’s experience, perhaps in a negative way, are Paul’s journeys home during the war. Throughout the novel Paul’s longing to return home dominates much of the novel’s narration. Paul consistently yearns for the years and experiences of adolescence that precede his experiences in the war, but when he encounters them both on leave and as a result of his injury, he rejects them. He quickly recognizes that “the world of our parents [is] a thing incomprehensible to us” (122). Home for Paul, and his romantic notions of it, is destroyed when he recognizes his own incompatibility with society due to his experiences in war.
These fearful emotions he used to protect himself were much like the emotions he felt which caused to be overprotective of his son. Fear of something bad caused him to take preventive measures. As he performs these actions, he can’t bare to look at his victim, his son’s killer. He is a very emotional person, and cannot face these emotions. “…Every day in his soul he shot Richard…”(108).
He is overcome with grief as he vividly recalls the flashbacks that he faces when visiting the Memorial for the first time. He is confronted by raw emotion and is determined not let his thoughts consume him. He fights back the tears, “I said I wouldn’t, dammit: No Tears (Komunyakaa 3,4)” that he promised himself not to allow anyone to see. While a simple goal it was not one that is easy to achieve. Although he was a Veteran of the Vietnam War, his grief and pain are reminiscent of most war veterans.
Tim O'Brien writes how throughout the war, "They carried all the emotional baggage of men who might die. They carried shameful memories. They carried the common secret of cowardice barely restrained, the instinct to run or freeze or hide" (O'Brien, 21). Having to return to normal society after experiencing the hideous faces of war was not an easy task. For many veterans it proved to be more than they could handle.
John’s insatiable desire for unconditional love is the impetus for his overwhelming unhappiness; however another contributing factor is John’s traumatic experiences in Vietnam. John’s impaired and unsatisfactory relationship with his father was an incitement for his unhappiness and induced John’s use of magic and imaginings as a way of disguising his unhappiness and despair. Due to his warped perception of love, John’s love for Kathy, however true, was a source of unhappiness because of doubt and fear. Additionally, John’s experiences in Vietnam contributed significantly to his misery and discontent, and sought out the affection that is attributed with politics. John’s defective relationship with his father caused his distorted perception of love, which provoked John to use magic and self-deception to subconsciously ameliorate his relationship with his father and conceal his unhappiness.
As Elie was becoming stronger his father Chlomo had a dramatically opposite effect and was slowly loosing faith. This was shown when Elie saw his father, a well-respected and stern man, crying after finally realizing his family’s fate. ‘My father was crying. It was the first time I had seen him cry. I had never thought it possible.’ At that point was when Chlomo and Elie’s relationship changed as Chlomo relies on Elie in order to get through the rough times they had ahead in the camps.
Suicide is a cowardly deed because it is an act of hiding from the truth and avoiding the consequences ahead; yet our esteemed war veterans cannot continue to exist after seeing and committing harsh actions. “Suicide is the tragic conclusion of the failure to address the spectrum of challenges returning veterans face.” (Schleifer) Veterans went to great lengths to protect our freedom and country even if it meant sacrificing their lives; however during the process they have suffered harsh tragedies. There are a number of issues that determine whether our veterans can retire in glory or wallow in their self-pity and despair. Veterans have to withstand various psychological issues from their horrific war experiences and understand what benefits and challenges are provided for them in an attempt to retire in peace. Depression is commonly known as a mental disorder: with lack of energy and difficulty in maintaining concentration or interest in life.
Like many of us, McCandless had grown tired and frustrated with everyday life in modern society, and had longed to get away and live a more meaningful existence; however, the reason many of us do not walk away is because we have responsibilities, we have a duty to the people that love us. Unfortunately McCandless was too selfish to ever realize that he can’t just live for himself. Instead Chris decided to abandon his family and leave them to deal with the heartache and pain of his departure; left to forever question and wonder where he was and whether or not he was safe. “I don’t know how I’ll ever get over it. I wasn’t dreaming.