In The Combat Zone Summary

The article “In the Combat Zone” was written by Leslie Marmon Silko. In her article she makes many valid examples of how women are treated like easy prey. Women are afraid to go out at night alone, because that is when numerous rapes and kidnappings take place. Although most rapes, kidnappings, and robberies happen at night, there are still cases that have occurred during the daylight. Silko gave several examples of these daylight occurrences. She also states that a woman’s mindset of being in a combat zone differs by how the woman was raised. If a woman was raised to depend on others, then that woman would be a higher target. If a woman was raised to defend herself and be dependent, then that woman would be less of a target because they would not show fear. Women are treated and viewed as easy prey to rapist, robbers, serial killers, and kidnappers. When women were little, they were taught to be home before dark and to stay away from strangers. Since they were taught this when they are little, women tend to not go out after dark unless they have other people with them. So many rapes, killings, burglaries, and kidnappings happen at night that it scares women to go out by

If a woman was raised to protect her self and to fend for herself, then she is less of a target. If a woman was raised to depend on others for everything, then she is more of a target. Silko told her readers how she was raised to protect herself. Her father took her to the river and taught her how to shoot guns in order to defend herself. Being raised to defend herself paid off when the man followed her to the pet store. She was not afraid because she knew how to defend herself with her gun and that scared him away. If a woman was raised to depend on other people, then they depend on the state to keep them safe. They depend on the police enforcing the law and mandatory