Although O’Brien is unclear about whether or not he actually threw a grenade and killed a man outside My Khe, his memory of the man’s corpse is strong and recurring, symbolizing humanity’s guilt over war’s horrible acts. Norman was right on the side of him when he died, after about a couple of years passed by after the war he was in Kiowa home town he started crying because he didn’t do anything to try to save him. In Fallen Angels Richie see’s how almost his whole team died he and Peewee were the only ones that survived, which emphasizes the theme of youth and innocence. In calling the novel Fallen Angels, the author implies that the soldiers’ youth and innocence are more important than any of their other aspects, such as their religion, ethnicity, class, or race. They wanted them to know what war is really like and wants to help them understand what is experienced.
For example he never mentions his father; maybe his father died and traumatized him, leaving him in this detached state. -In this book so far Meursault doesn’t talk much to others unless he is spoken to directly. He spends most of his time listening to others and noticing details about his surroundings. Also when he speaks the sentences are short and choppy. When he describes his surroundings the sentence structures grow more complex and flow together better.
Some families acted as if the vet only had been stationed at any other base. It was as if the families were apathetic to the subject (Maberry, and Hunt, n.d.). Many of the vets returning from the fighting came back with issues. Some of the issues experienced were drug use, mental issues, which is now called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), physically disabled, or suffered from the poisoning of Agent Orange. Our country was not prepared for the multitude of issues that Vietnam would cause in the men.
A Rumor of War In the autobiography A Rumor of War, Philip Caputo shares his experiences of the Vietnam War with the world. His rude awakening of the reality of war captivates readers as he reveals his struggles during the vigorous fight between Vietnam and America. This novel provides insight from the viewpoint of a soldier who witnessed the fighting first hand. Many people are not aware of the physical and emotional damages caused by war, and Caputo brings these emotions to life as he reveals the truth behind the war. The beginning of the novel introduces us to Caputo in his early twenties.
Before coming to Vietnam none of these men had ever seen anyone be killed or killed anyone themselves. The first time they lose a comrade of theirs, none of them really know how to react. They are not sure if they should cry and mourn the loss of their friend, or if they just continue on as normal because they know thats what they need to do to stay alive. Some of the soldiers have different ways of dealing with death while they are over there. Some learn to laugh and joke about it in order to lighten up the situation.
Even thought some soldiers survived the shellings and gas, they were still destroyed by the war. Many men were destroyed by the war mentally. The Soldiers that survived the war and came home almost all had PTSD and were mentally ill from what they had seen or experienced. (Chapter 5, pg.87) "The war has ruined us for everything” This quote means that what they have seen and done in the war has transformed them into only being able to think of and understand the life of war. War becomes what they live and breath and cannot comprehend with other jobs that do not relate to war and the horrifying killing that they were trained to do.
They do not ever want to show fear. Even after the war, the men still carry the grief of the war. Tim O’Brien carries the image of the young man that he killed, and it haunts him every day. Jimmy Cross tells Tim that he still has no forgiven himself about Ted Lavenders death. “At one point, I remember, we paused over a picture of Ted Lavender, and after a while Jimmy rubbed his eyes and said he’d never forgiven himself for Lavender’s death.
Quotation: “Like one man, they stiffened, choked and fell. The cups clattered to the floor” (page 24) Explanation: The procedure of killing the men was painful and startling. Given no explanation to why they were required to die, the men would only think of treachery and abandon from the Lieutenant-Commander. Premise #2: On the other hand, the decision Lieutenant Captain Oram made was the only available option, and he took the burden of being responsible for the deaths of fifteen men. 1.
In “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien the antagonist faces several things that shape him as a new man. Not only do the men carry specific things, but they are also carrying the burden of war and sorrow. Most war soldiers are strong and independent, but there are others who let their thoughts of home interfere. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross faces his obsession with a woman back home, the weight of the war, and the guilt he carries from the death of his soldiers. Lieutenant Cross carries letters from a woman named Martha back home that he loves, but she is not his girlfriend.
Affield’s memoir illustrated the very real and raw aspects of war. Wendell’s personal account of life as a soldier started with the horrors of boot camp, eventually explained the terrors of war and finally ended with the rejection and ridicule that he and other soldiers endured on his return home. His detailed accounts helped readers better understand the situation and events that occurred during and after the war in Vietnam. Once Affield enlisted with the United States Navy he was originally stationed on a gunner Naval ship, USS Rogers, and traveled to Vietnam to aide in fighting the Vietnamese in the Gulf of Tonkin. This West Pac cruise was difficult, yet it ended up being one of the least devastating assignments of his Vietnam experience.