The world is forever changing around us, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Thomas King, Author of "Green Grass Running Water" shows how the world is changing for the worse. He shares his opinion on the American culture through his perceptions of religious stories, characters, and symbolism in the text. Thomas King wants the reader to absorb that Native American culture has grown fain in the midst of a Caucasian society.
In the beginning of the novel biblical references are made to show Christian domination of the land. Thomas King includes an alternative perspective of the story “Adam and Eve”. In Thomas King’s version First Woman falls into the Water World with Ahdamn and they live together in a garden. The character GOD comes into the story and begins to protest the actions of both Ahdamn and First Woman. The narrator says, “Wait a minute, says that GOD. That’s my garden. That’s my stuff” (43). Right away King shows that a domination of GOD is occurring by GOD claiming the garden as his own. Much like Caucasian society historically and today. The culture is possessive and dominating. The next story written is of “Noah’s Ark”. In this retelling Changing Woman falls onto Noah’s boat full of animals and poop. Noah becomes defensive when Changing Woman converses with the animals. Noah says, “ Why are you talking to animals? Says the little man. This is a Christian ship. Animals don’t talk. We got rules” (160). King shows that the dominant Christian religion is unable to negotiate and accept differences. Society believes their ideas are the right ideas and will outcast anyone who thinks differently. Noah shouts, “This is a Christian ship, he shouts. I am a Christian man. This is a Christian Journey. And if you can’t follow our rules, then you’re not wanted on the voyage” (163). According to Thomas King the domination of religion and ideas in the beginning is where the Indian culture began to loose it’s stance.
The characters in the novel are examples of Native Americans that loose a sense of their heritage and want to be apart of Caucasian culture. Charlie Looking Bear is a prime example. He represents the “figure of success”; he drives a Porsche, lives in a penthouse, and works at a law firm. Charlie becomes increasingly disconnected with the tribe and begins to think about himself as separate from the rest of them. Alberta says to Charlie, “ You know that the tribe isn’t going to make any money off the entire deal” (126). Charlie replies, “Then some of us should, don’t you think?” (126). His acting alone shows the increasing cultural distance even among existing Native Americans. Caucasian society has changed the characters in the novel to think more about themselves than others. Another character in the novel that sends a strong message is Charlie’s father Portland. Movies and television shows are something that Caucasian society has dominated. Portland had a burning desire to become a part of it. Charlie asks Portland, “If you could go anywhere in the world…where would you go?” (240). Portland responds clearly, “I’d like to go to Hollywood” (240). Portland’s obsession with becoming a part of Hollywood and the lifestyle led him to completely desert his family. He lost all pride in his own self and was even willing to change the way his nose looked for society’s liking. The characters in the novel "Green Grass Running Water" show how much Caucasian culture has an influence on them.
The dam, which is built on Parliament Lake, is symbolic to the way Caucasian society operates. Through religious ideas and cultural ideas Caucasian culture dominates other cultures. They built the dam on the reservation to develop and dominate the area and to impose their ideas about money and government. Sifton, a supporter of the dam says to Eli, “They don’t have personalities, and they don’t have politics. They store water, and they create electricity, that’s it” (120). Eli replies, “ So how come so many of them are built on Indian land?” (120). The dam represents how politics and Caucasian society still impose on the Indian’s culture. When the dam breaks the ideas of society flow onto the Native American land, destroying parts of their history and culture. What King is trying to say is that the more Caucasian culture begins to grow and take over the more likely Native American culture is likely to be washed away. The water washing over the reservation is the way King feels that American culture. It spills all over other cultures and sweeps them away with their power and domination. That is why King chooses to destroy the cabin in the end. He writes, “ It was a little over a month before the waters went down. The cabin was gone, the logs scattered along the course of the flood” (459). He wants to show that American culture is erasing Native American culture with their influences.
The views and practices of Caucasian culture have greatly affected Native American culture. As a writer Thomas King wanted to show readers the perspective of a Native American man caught in the midst of the 20th century. He wanted the reader to dig deep into his motives and find that the Native American culture is getting fainter and fainter. King sends a very powerful message, “This is a Christian world, you know. We only kill things that are useful or things we don’t like” (219). He feels that the domination of Caucasian culture is destroying a part of his own.
Sunday
Reader Response: "Green Grass Running Water"
Reader Response: "Green Grass Running Water"
What in the world is happening right now? This question kept reoccurring to me on a regular basis. The novel "Green Grass Running Water" by Thomas King is incredibly unique and uses frequent symbolism and satire. King doesn't waste any time, he dives quickly into the plot by introducing numerous characters and concepts within the first section. King starts his novel with the statement, "So. In the beginning, there was nothing. Just the water" (1). The powerful line enticed my interest right away. He later went on to introduce the four Indian characters that would be essential in getting his message across throughout the remainder of the novel. The four Indians' names were ironic because they were not Indian names at all; they were distinct American names: Robinson Crusoe, Lone Ranger, Ishmael, and Hawkeye. One of the reasons why King chose to give the Indians American names is to show how many Native Americans lost their identities through American culture. The four Indians escaped from a hospital (which King neglects to tell why they were there in the first place) and began the mission of "fixing" the world. More characters are introduced as the novel moves along, some of which include Lionel, Norma, Alberta, Charlie, Babo, Dr. Hovaugh, Eli, Latisha, and many more. Each character has their struggle that they must overcome. The four Indians are present in some of the characters' stories but most of the times are telling the story of how the world began. They start to show up in the other characters' lives when Lionel and Norma spot them on the side of the road one evening. Ever so subtly the four Indians "fix" the lives of those who need it. It wasn't until the fourth section of the book when I realized how the Indians were "fixing" people and the pieces began to fall into place.
There are four parts to the novel, each of which introduces a different biblical story of creation. The "story" told by Coyote and the four other Indians is a collaboration of Native American ideals and the differences between the Christian perspective and that of Native American culture. I enjoyed the story of “Changing Woman" and "Noah" I found King's tone to be light yet serious at the same time. The way he told the story made me laugh and yet showed what fundamental differences there are between the Christian religion and Native American philosophy. Noah says to Changing Woman, “Why are you talking to animals? Says the little man. This is a Christian ship. Animals don't talk. We got rules" (160). It portrays the Christian religion as being strict and Native American philosophy to include animals. In addition, the story exposes the roles between males and females. Historically women have been given an inferior role; Noah degrades Changing Woman from the start. Noah immediately says, "Lemme see your breasts, says Noah. I like women with big breasts. I hope God remembered that" (160). Although I found this part to be comical, it blatantly shows King's opinion on the role of women in society and how sometimes they can be treated as objects rather than people. One powerful quote from the end of the Noah story is, “This is a Christian journey. And if you can't follow our Christian rules, then you're not wanted on the voyage" (163). King sends a very clear message that the Christian religion is dependent on rules and order.
Among the many characters in "Green Grass Running Water" I hold Eli to high esteem and enjoyed reading about his life the most. Eli was one of the characters who kept a level head throughout the book. I felt that his courageous battle with keeping his mother's home from being destroyed was noble and preserved the family's history. Although the majority of the characters succumbed to the influences that American society put on them, Eli never seemed to be swayed by the changing world around him. Eli is strong and King writes, “Eli had fought Duplessis from the beginning, producing a steady stream of injunctions that Dupessis countered" (127). I admire Eli for being stubborn and preserving his family's history, even if the dam may be financially benefiting for the tribe. It seems as if novel King's theme is having each character "fix" a part of their lives. One thing I never understood was why King chose to let Eli die in the end. Did he reach fulfillment in his life? What did Eli fix?
What is Thomas King trying to say? By the end of the novel the question seemed to be gaining importance. King includes many forms of symbolism that I had a hard time grasping. What is the significance of the three cars floating down the river? Why Latisha’s son is named Christian? Why did the Indians change the end of the Western? Why do the Indians steal the cars, and did they steal them? Why is there a puddle of water left behind every time a car disappears? Why does Coyote keep insisting that he made a mistake in the story? What is the significance of Bursum getting “The Map”?
Aside from the many questions I have about Thomas King’s intentions, I do know some things that seem to bother him. Politics are barely discussed in the novel however King makes it clear that even great political ideals can be skewed by society. Hawkeye and Coyote discuss democracies, “”In a democracy, everyone gets a turn, “says Coyote.” (365). Hawkeye replies, ""In a democracy, only people who can afford it get a turn”” (365). It is clear that King wants to show the importance that money has in our society. Another issue that King seems to be bothered by is family loyalty and heritage. He shows many of the characters “becoming white” and how it has a negative effect on the Indian tribe and family. King shows this when Norma says to Eli, ""You were born there before you went off and became white”” (122). She was referring to the home that Eli’s mother built and how Eli left the reservation for quite some time while Norma stayed with the family. There is a sort of bitterness to King’s writing and you can pick up on issues that he feels are important.
Coming from a family that has always practiced religion and has kept an open mind about many societal issues "Green Grass Running Water" did not offend me as much as I thought it would. I was expecting to be offended before I started reading based on what other people had told me, but I was surprised when Thomas King made me laugh about issues that others take very seriously. In many ways I have opened my mind up to new possibilities and how there is no right idea. I enjoyed Thomas King’s honest writing and strong messages.
What in the world is happening right now? This question kept reoccurring to me on a regular basis. The novel "Green Grass Running Water" by Thomas King is incredibly unique and uses frequent symbolism and satire. King doesn't waste any time, he dives quickly into the plot by introducing numerous characters and concepts within the first section. King starts his novel with the statement, "So. In the beginning, there was nothing. Just the water" (1). The powerful line enticed my interest right away. He later went on to introduce the four Indian characters that would be essential in getting his message across throughout the remainder of the novel. The four Indians' names were ironic because they were not Indian names at all; they were distinct American names: Robinson Crusoe, Lone Ranger, Ishmael, and Hawkeye. One of the reasons why King chose to give the Indians American names is to show how many Native Americans lost their identities through American culture. The four Indians escaped from a hospital (which King neglects to tell why they were there in the first place) and began the mission of "fixing" the world. More characters are introduced as the novel moves along, some of which include Lionel, Norma, Alberta, Charlie, Babo, Dr. Hovaugh, Eli, Latisha, and many more. Each character has their struggle that they must overcome. The four Indians are present in some of the characters' stories but most of the times are telling the story of how the world began. They start to show up in the other characters' lives when Lionel and Norma spot them on the side of the road one evening. Ever so subtly the four Indians "fix" the lives of those who need it. It wasn't until the fourth section of the book when I realized how the Indians were "fixing" people and the pieces began to fall into place.
There are four parts to the novel, each of which introduces a different biblical story of creation. The "story" told by Coyote and the four other Indians is a collaboration of Native American ideals and the differences between the Christian perspective and that of Native American culture. I enjoyed the story of “Changing Woman" and "Noah" I found King's tone to be light yet serious at the same time. The way he told the story made me laugh and yet showed what fundamental differences there are between the Christian religion and Native American philosophy. Noah says to Changing Woman, “Why are you talking to animals? Says the little man. This is a Christian ship. Animals don't talk. We got rules" (160). It portrays the Christian religion as being strict and Native American philosophy to include animals. In addition, the story exposes the roles between males and females. Historically women have been given an inferior role; Noah degrades Changing Woman from the start. Noah immediately says, "Lemme see your breasts, says Noah. I like women with big breasts. I hope God remembered that" (160). Although I found this part to be comical, it blatantly shows King's opinion on the role of women in society and how sometimes they can be treated as objects rather than people. One powerful quote from the end of the Noah story is, “This is a Christian journey. And if you can't follow our Christian rules, then you're not wanted on the voyage" (163). King sends a very clear message that the Christian religion is dependent on rules and order.
Among the many characters in "Green Grass Running Water" I hold Eli to high esteem and enjoyed reading about his life the most. Eli was one of the characters who kept a level head throughout the book. I felt that his courageous battle with keeping his mother's home from being destroyed was noble and preserved the family's history. Although the majority of the characters succumbed to the influences that American society put on them, Eli never seemed to be swayed by the changing world around him. Eli is strong and King writes, “Eli had fought Duplessis from the beginning, producing a steady stream of injunctions that Dupessis countered" (127). I admire Eli for being stubborn and preserving his family's history, even if the dam may be financially benefiting for the tribe. It seems as if novel King's theme is having each character "fix" a part of their lives. One thing I never understood was why King chose to let Eli die in the end. Did he reach fulfillment in his life? What did Eli fix?
What is Thomas King trying to say? By the end of the novel the question seemed to be gaining importance. King includes many forms of symbolism that I had a hard time grasping. What is the significance of the three cars floating down the river? Why Latisha’s son is named Christian? Why did the Indians change the end of the Western? Why do the Indians steal the cars, and did they steal them? Why is there a puddle of water left behind every time a car disappears? Why does Coyote keep insisting that he made a mistake in the story? What is the significance of Bursum getting “The Map”?
Aside from the many questions I have about Thomas King’s intentions, I do know some things that seem to bother him. Politics are barely discussed in the novel however King makes it clear that even great political ideals can be skewed by society. Hawkeye and Coyote discuss democracies, “”In a democracy, everyone gets a turn, “says Coyote.” (365). Hawkeye replies, ""In a democracy, only people who can afford it get a turn”” (365). It is clear that King wants to show the importance that money has in our society. Another issue that King seems to be bothered by is family loyalty and heritage. He shows many of the characters “becoming white” and how it has a negative effect on the Indian tribe and family. King shows this when Norma says to Eli, ""You were born there before you went off and became white”” (122). She was referring to the home that Eli’s mother built and how Eli left the reservation for quite some time while Norma stayed with the family. There is a sort of bitterness to King’s writing and you can pick up on issues that he feels are important.
Coming from a family that has always practiced religion and has kept an open mind about many societal issues "Green Grass Running Water" did not offend me as much as I thought it would. I was expecting to be offended before I started reading based on what other people had told me, but I was surprised when Thomas King made me laugh about issues that others take very seriously. In many ways I have opened my mind up to new possibilities and how there is no right idea. I enjoyed Thomas King’s honest writing and strong messages.
Thursday
Alternate Ending: "In the Field"
Kiowa blinks as shit from the field oozes into the cracks of his eyes. The shrapnel from the blast had just missed him but the force of the explosion had pushed him into the muck. Loosing breath and loosing consciousness Kiowa began to sink deeper into the shit field accepting what was to come next. Norman Bowker could hear to his left a deep dark sucking sound. The kind of noise that would give you chills down to your toes. Besides the rounds going off in the background Norman kept focusing on the sound. Off in the distance he could see a tip of a boot. Not just any boot but Kiowa’s boot. It was fight or flight and blasts kept exploding all around him. He could not stand up as he made his way over to Kiowa’s boot. He had to stay close to the ground, close to the shit and the smell. The smell seemed to drown him even more than the shit itself. With surrounding odor and that sucking sound fading away Norman grabbed Kiowa’s boot. One large pull and the boot came off with Kiowa’s body sinking further down by the minute. Norman this time engorged his arms in the stench and the sound and grabbed a hold of Kiowa’s leg with one swift movement Norman slid Kiowa out half way. It was as if the field was fighting back, this time the sucking sound became louder. Norman reached down again this time grabbing Kiowa’s waist. Mud flew everywhere as the sucking force snapped and broke Kiowa was free. He looked lifeless. Shit filled his nostrils and ears. Norman opened Kiowa’s mouth and began CPR. Within a few minutes Kiowa was coughing up the muck and so much more. No words were needed between the two. The rest of the night the two sat next to each other not speaking but both still alive. Norman Bowker had just won the Silver Star for valor.
Wednesday
"The Things They Carried"
Analysis Journal
“ It’s time to be blunt… a long time ago I walked through Quang Ngai Province as a foot soldier. Almost everything else is invented” (179). The art of storytelling has been around for thousands of years. Stories have shaped cultures, formed traditions, and offered comfort and intrigue to people around the world. Tim O’Brien’s book "The Things They Carried" is not about Vietnam but rather is about the reality and the fantasy of storytelling. O’Brien writes stories to rationalize traumatic events and to bring closure to difficult memories. He makes the reader understand and he writes so that people feel and experience situations they have never been through. In the end O’Brien’s way of storytelling reflects his natural ability to teach us about life through words of fiction.
The reason why O’Brien tells certain stories is to heal from his experiences. In the chapter “The Man I Killed” O’Brien witnessed a death. For a young foot soldier the event changed the way he looked at the world around him. He became traumatized and learned to deal with the war. O’Brien notes, “By telling stories you objectify your own experience. You separate it from yourself… you carry it forward by inventing incidents that did not in fact occur but nonetheless help to clarify and explain” (158). It has been proven in many studies that keeping a journal and writing on a regular basis can relieve stress and anxiety. For O’Brien writing is his way of relieving the stress of memories. It helped him deal with being a witness of death and feeling like he was to blame. O’Brien accentuates to the reader how important stories can be in the healing process. O’Brien writes, “ I can look at things I never looked at… I can be brave. I can make myself feel again” (180). This statement by O’Brien defines his reason for why writing stories can be so important to a healing mind.
O’Brien not only uses stories to heal but he writes to make the reader feel. He writes, “ The thing about a story is that you dream it as you tell it hoping that others might then dream along with you…” (230). O’Brien uses vivid imagery and powerful symbolism to turn a rare experience such as war into an experience everyone can relate to. He captures the sympathy and understanding of every reader. Without the story of Mary Anne or the Shit Field the reader might have not understood the power and meaning that is behind war, death, and love. O’Brien lets the reader know his intentions, “I want you to feel what I felt. I want you to know why story-truth is truer than happening-truth” (179).
In the big picture, stories can teach us. They can explain what blame feels like and how a person grieves. They teach us about living and about dying. O’Brien adds, “A true war story is never about war” (85) he explains that stories carry a much higher meaning, “It’s about love and memory. It’s about sorrow” (85). O’Brien uses storytelling to teach the reader about life by making them feel as if they are apart of the story and putting true meaning into certain events. For instance the story of the baby water buffalo “Wasn't a war story. It was a love story” (85). The story made all of us feel compassionate, angry, vulnerable and scared all at the same time, which can also be associated with a feeling or concept of love. The reason why O’Brien’s writing is so captivating is because he has the ability to relate his stories to the struggles and concepts we face in life.
Tim O’Brien’s book "The Things They Carried" shows the true art of storytelling and how it affects our lives. He has shown a beautiful example of how stories change our lives. They can heal you, make you believe, and teach you. O’Brien wisely says,
“ Stories are for joining the past and the future. Stories are for those late hours in the night when you can’t remember how you got from where you were to where you are. Stories are for eternity, when memory is erased, when there is nothing to remember except the story” (38).
Analysis Journal
“ It’s time to be blunt… a long time ago I walked through Quang Ngai Province as a foot soldier. Almost everything else is invented” (179). The art of storytelling has been around for thousands of years. Stories have shaped cultures, formed traditions, and offered comfort and intrigue to people around the world. Tim O’Brien’s book "The Things They Carried" is not about Vietnam but rather is about the reality and the fantasy of storytelling. O’Brien writes stories to rationalize traumatic events and to bring closure to difficult memories. He makes the reader understand and he writes so that people feel and experience situations they have never been through. In the end O’Brien’s way of storytelling reflects his natural ability to teach us about life through words of fiction.
The reason why O’Brien tells certain stories is to heal from his experiences. In the chapter “The Man I Killed” O’Brien witnessed a death. For a young foot soldier the event changed the way he looked at the world around him. He became traumatized and learned to deal with the war. O’Brien notes, “By telling stories you objectify your own experience. You separate it from yourself… you carry it forward by inventing incidents that did not in fact occur but nonetheless help to clarify and explain” (158). It has been proven in many studies that keeping a journal and writing on a regular basis can relieve stress and anxiety. For O’Brien writing is his way of relieving the stress of memories. It helped him deal with being a witness of death and feeling like he was to blame. O’Brien accentuates to the reader how important stories can be in the healing process. O’Brien writes, “ I can look at things I never looked at… I can be brave. I can make myself feel again” (180). This statement by O’Brien defines his reason for why writing stories can be so important to a healing mind.
O’Brien not only uses stories to heal but he writes to make the reader feel. He writes, “ The thing about a story is that you dream it as you tell it hoping that others might then dream along with you…” (230). O’Brien uses vivid imagery and powerful symbolism to turn a rare experience such as war into an experience everyone can relate to. He captures the sympathy and understanding of every reader. Without the story of Mary Anne or the Shit Field the reader might have not understood the power and meaning that is behind war, death, and love. O’Brien lets the reader know his intentions, “I want you to feel what I felt. I want you to know why story-truth is truer than happening-truth” (179).
In the big picture, stories can teach us. They can explain what blame feels like and how a person grieves. They teach us about living and about dying. O’Brien adds, “A true war story is never about war” (85) he explains that stories carry a much higher meaning, “It’s about love and memory. It’s about sorrow” (85). O’Brien uses storytelling to teach the reader about life by making them feel as if they are apart of the story and putting true meaning into certain events. For instance the story of the baby water buffalo “Wasn't a war story. It was a love story” (85). The story made all of us feel compassionate, angry, vulnerable and scared all at the same time, which can also be associated with a feeling or concept of love. The reason why O’Brien’s writing is so captivating is because he has the ability to relate his stories to the struggles and concepts we face in life.
Tim O’Brien’s book "The Things They Carried" shows the true art of storytelling and how it affects our lives. He has shown a beautiful example of how stories change our lives. They can heal you, make you believe, and teach you. O’Brien wisely says,
“ Stories are for joining the past and the future. Stories are for those late hours in the night when you can’t remember how you got from where you were to where you are. Stories are for eternity, when memory is erased, when there is nothing to remember except the story” (38).
Monday
Interpretation of "The Yellow Wallpaper"
The writing style of the writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman strikes me as one of the most heroic and honest writers of her time. She dared to explore the complications that are involved in marriage, gender roles, and psychological differences. Throughout the book the author describes herself as a "nervous" person and claimed that she is "a comparative burden" (pg. 14). Her immediate sensitivity to the way people felt about her and to the condition she had made me feel that there was something larger that was bothering her. She never seemed to be truly content and most of the time tried to justify her husband John for treating her as if she did not exist. I think the way that she took the blame and did not argue with John about her condition showed her feeling of inferiority. It became clear to me as I read more of the book that she was miserable inside. She was sad and lonely and cried often; she did not cry when John was around. She becomes obsessed with the pattern of the wallpaper in her room and I found it confusing at first. However, she clues the reader in to the challenges she faces by the way she describes the paper. She describes the paper as: dull, uncertain, outrageous, repellent, smouldering, unheard of- revolting contradictions, irritate, etc. By the way the author continues to talk about the wallpaper I concluded that the wallpaper represented how she felt about her marriage and her life. She was angry and disgusted and it consumed her every thought. "You can only see the paper in certain lights" (pg. 18). In this quote the author referred to her inferior role as a housewife. You can only see her side of the story in certain lights, perhaps a feminist view. She refer ed to a woman "stuck" inside the paper, and for the first time she began to reveal her feelings a little more. The woman is "stooping down and creeping about behind the pattern" (Pg. 22). She referred to herself when she spoke of the woman. The way she was stooping down represented how the author felt about herself as a woman. Stooping down in her marriage and being the one with the "condition". She tried several times to talk to her husband John about the problem but lost her courage. You can see her frustration in the way she spoke about the woman "shaking" the pattern wanting to get out.The ending of the book is one of the most compelling. The author entered into a panicked state and began to rip down the paper in large portions. She has reached her breaking point and decided that she can no longer allow herself to live in the subdued and lifeless position that she was in. She attempted to "free" the woman behind the paper but what she was really doing was trying to free herself. She began by locking herself in and ripping the wallpaper off in large strips and then became so angry she tried to move the bed which was nailed down. The scene is very powerful because all of her frustrations are being torn apart. The scene comes to an end when her husband John appears and "faints" because of all her activity. Strongly the author continued to finish her task and as she "crept over him" I felt as if she had reached a point of independence.
Sunday
Reader Response: "The Things They Carried"
The Things They Carried is a personal story about Tim O'Brien's experience in the Vietnam War. He combines many accounts of personal experiences into stories that can relate to each other. The title "The Things They Carried" has great significance to the book. What the soldiers carried reflects their fears, passions, and necessities. Throughout the novel Tim does not mention what he carried during the war but rather what his friends carried. From what they carried in the field I was able to relate and discover each of his friends' personalities without much more explanation.
One of the characters that I really learned to respect was Rat Kiley. He serves as the medic of the group and seems to be very well prepared. After Tim's bad experience with Jorgenson he recalls the moments when Rat Kiley would never let him down. Rat Kiley always kept his cool and seems to be a pretty dependable character. It was unfortunate that he could not handle the psychological effects of the war and eventually became insane. Another character that I have much respect for is Kiowa. Whenever there was a moral dilemma in the group Kiowa would show his strengths and offer advice and encouragement to the group. When Tim was new to the group and was ridiculed for not treating the dead a certain way Kiowa was there to offer him companionship and moral backup. A character that seem sketchy to me is Azar. Azar is a wild soldier with little concern for consequences. One thing that made me turned off by Azar's personality was when he took the prank with Tim too far. It is one thing to play a little revenge joke on someone but Azar seemed to almost enjoy torturing Jorgenson. Azar let go of all his moral sense and at one time even said, " Out here, at night, I almost feel like a kid again. The Vietnam experience. I mean, wow I love this shit" (212). Towards the end Azar actually began to enjoy war and was more concerned with the adrenaline rush than with human dignity.
The chapter where O'Brien explains how he killed a man really moved me. I could almost feel the regret with him. I thought that the chapter really looked into the author's experience with death and human nature instead of focusing on the other characters. You could tell that at the time of the killing O'Brien was young and inexperienced in the war. The way he just sat there explaining over and over the way the young man looked showed how shocked he was. He mentioned in the chapter the life the man might have had and in a way it showed how vulnerable O'Brien was feeling. Kiowa kept telling him that it was better off him not being the one dead and O'Brien realizes how fast life can be taken away from someone. I enjoyed the section on Mark Fossie and his girlfriend. The way Tim O'Brien explains the story shows how great of a story teller the author is. In many sections of his writing he includes clues as to how to tell a true war story from a fake one. The story of Mark Fossie and his girlfriend I believe was fake and that the reason O'Brien included it in his plot was to show what makes a good story from a bad one.
I found many themes by the end of this book. Among them are: blame, storytelling, love and war. The theme of blame is inserted into every moral story that is told. The blame is always being thrown around and everyone has different degrees of blame. After the death of Kiowa Norman Bowker took the majority of the blame. It ate him up inside and he could not bear the thought of his own failure. Jimmy Cross also blamed himself for Kiowa's death by declaring that he should have set up in a different area. The concept of blame is thrown around in this book and blame is what caused most of the men to go crazy and to not be able to handle the war. Another theme that I found most present in the book was the concept of storytelling. In many places Tim O'Brien gives the reader hints as to what makes a good story. He tells the reader that to some a story might have happened one way and to someone else it may have happened another way, he explains that stories are all based on perception. O'Brien also tells the reader that in order to make some stories interesting you have to "heat up the truth". To me this is a very thought provoking theme. What stories are real and which ones are made up? How much of the text is from Tim O'Briens first hand account and not passed on through a friend?
I enjoyed reading this book to the highest level. The stories although completely different related to each other in a larger way. The life lessons and eye openers that Tim O'Brien includes in his book was what got me hooked.
One of the characters that I really learned to respect was Rat Kiley. He serves as the medic of the group and seems to be very well prepared. After Tim's bad experience with Jorgenson he recalls the moments when Rat Kiley would never let him down. Rat Kiley always kept his cool and seems to be a pretty dependable character. It was unfortunate that he could not handle the psychological effects of the war and eventually became insane. Another character that I have much respect for is Kiowa. Whenever there was a moral dilemma in the group Kiowa would show his strengths and offer advice and encouragement to the group. When Tim was new to the group and was ridiculed for not treating the dead a certain way Kiowa was there to offer him companionship and moral backup. A character that seem sketchy to me is Azar. Azar is a wild soldier with little concern for consequences. One thing that made me turned off by Azar's personality was when he took the prank with Tim too far. It is one thing to play a little revenge joke on someone but Azar seemed to almost enjoy torturing Jorgenson. Azar let go of all his moral sense and at one time even said, " Out here, at night, I almost feel like a kid again. The Vietnam experience. I mean, wow I love this shit" (212). Towards the end Azar actually began to enjoy war and was more concerned with the adrenaline rush than with human dignity.
The chapter where O'Brien explains how he killed a man really moved me. I could almost feel the regret with him. I thought that the chapter really looked into the author's experience with death and human nature instead of focusing on the other characters. You could tell that at the time of the killing O'Brien was young and inexperienced in the war. The way he just sat there explaining over and over the way the young man looked showed how shocked he was. He mentioned in the chapter the life the man might have had and in a way it showed how vulnerable O'Brien was feeling. Kiowa kept telling him that it was better off him not being the one dead and O'Brien realizes how fast life can be taken away from someone. I enjoyed the section on Mark Fossie and his girlfriend. The way Tim O'Brien explains the story shows how great of a story teller the author is. In many sections of his writing he includes clues as to how to tell a true war story from a fake one. The story of Mark Fossie and his girlfriend I believe was fake and that the reason O'Brien included it in his plot was to show what makes a good story from a bad one.
I found many themes by the end of this book. Among them are: blame, storytelling, love and war. The theme of blame is inserted into every moral story that is told. The blame is always being thrown around and everyone has different degrees of blame. After the death of Kiowa Norman Bowker took the majority of the blame. It ate him up inside and he could not bear the thought of his own failure. Jimmy Cross also blamed himself for Kiowa's death by declaring that he should have set up in a different area. The concept of blame is thrown around in this book and blame is what caused most of the men to go crazy and to not be able to handle the war. Another theme that I found most present in the book was the concept of storytelling. In many places Tim O'Brien gives the reader hints as to what makes a good story. He tells the reader that to some a story might have happened one way and to someone else it may have happened another way, he explains that stories are all based on perception. O'Brien also tells the reader that in order to make some stories interesting you have to "heat up the truth". To me this is a very thought provoking theme. What stories are real and which ones are made up? How much of the text is from Tim O'Briens first hand account and not passed on through a friend?
I enjoyed reading this book to the highest level. The stories although completely different related to each other in a larger way. The life lessons and eye openers that Tim O'Brien includes in his book was what got me hooked.
Reader Response Revised: "The Yellow Wallpaper"
John suppresses the narrator's feeling of fulfillment in her life which leads to her mental breakdown. The narrator wants to be of help to John but he does not allow her to. She notes, " I meant to be such a help to John, such a real rest and comfort, and here I am a comparative burden already!" ( 14). She is deemed useless in the eyes of her husband and she considers herself a burden. The narrator observes "Jennie sees to everything now" (18). Her boredom eventually leads to her breakdown. Her boredom is what leads her to her increasing insanity and her obsession with the wallpaper. The narrator says, " I lie here on this great immovable bed. It is nailed down, I believe- and follow that pattern about by the hour" (19). The narrator is left alone so often that she allows herself to get lost in the wallpaper and amuses herself the only way she knows how. John's ignorance about his wife's abilities and needs directly connect to her mental breakdown.
Reader Response: "The Yellow Wallpaper"
John Supresses the narrator's right to feel fulfillment in her life. She is convinced that it is in her best interest to let other women take over her daily tasks of being a wife and a mother. John does not allow her to be helpful and in effect it causes her to mentally breakdown. "I meant to be such a help to John, such a real rest and comfort, and here I am a comparative burden already!" (14). The narrator is deemed a burden and useless in the eyes of her husband John. He has begun to replace her with other women in the house taht do her tasks. The narrator is left in the attic and eventually her boredom and frustrations cause her to hallucinate and begin her obsession with the wallpaper. Clearly the narrator is frustrated by her lack of duties. "Jennie sees to everything now" (18). Her obsessions and anger grow as John continues to ignore her. "I lie here on this great immovable bed. It is nailed down, I believe- and fllow that pattern about by the hour" (19). John's ignorance abouy his wife's abilities and needs are directly connected to her condition.
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