Comparing The Sympathizer And The Battle Of Algiers

The Psychological Impacts of War Narratives The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen and the film The Battle of Algiers directed by Gillo Pontecorvo both emphasize the brutal realities of war, leading to physical and psychological damage to victims, societies, and even audience members. Though they are set in different wars, both narratives manipulate viewers to empathize with the characters, providing sympathy for the victims and anger towards oppressors. In The Sympathizer, the narrator’s inner conflict with himself shines throughout the book as he navigates his dual identity and the burden of never fitting in. Similarly, Algerians fought for societal freedom from oppressors, attempting to find and overall their power. Both documents underline

(Nguyen 376).” This reflection showcases a turning point of self-acceptance, he’s now coming to terms with his duality, learning that two halves make him whole. The metaphor of “me and myself” symbolizes the reconnection and newfound love for his identity, reversing the conflict he experienced at the beginning. Essentially, Ngyuen’s book spotlights the psychological complexities and inner conflicts of one’s self, providing a new insight readers and viewers normally don’t get access to. By focusing on personal struggle, The Sympathizer provides a deeper understanding of how war impacts people involved or not involved more psychically than psychically. In Pontecorvo’s film The Battle of Algiers, the use of editing and film underscores the complex realities of war, the struggle for freedom, and the psychological impact on individuals, manipulating the audience's perception and offering new insights into the brutality of war and power. The film, focusing on the Algerian War for Independence, shaped public opinion by providing the audience with the harsh realities of death, destruction, and oppression. In the film, Pontecorvo’s use of black-and-white editing blurs the line between a fictional movie and a historical

Despite the differences between the Vietnam War and the Algerian War of Independence, they both emphasize the struggles for identity and freedom. By using narrative and cinematic techniques to highlight these intense emotions, both stories provide viewers with a deeper understanding of war’s realities, resulting in reflection on the impact of conflict, the government, and societal power. Ultimately, these works highlight the power of storytelling in communicating the psychological and physical consequences of war. By providing the audience with experiences from both victims and oppressors, these narratives challenge self-opinion on understanding war’s impact, explaining how it is more than just the battlefield; it connects to identity, loyalty, and