Have you ever had to make a hard choice? Most people have a problem. Why was it hard and was it because you felt like other people were pressuring you towards a decision? Well in the story On the Rainy River, author O’Brien has gone through the same type of dilemma and writes about it. Using the techniques of Internal Conflict, Symbolism, and Imagery, Tim O’Brien displays the theme that “Following your conscience, though important, is harder when it’s negatively viewed by other people.” He explains the importance of the “Following your conscience” We see O’Brien's internal conflict laying down the theme at the beginning of the story right after he receives the information that he’s been drafted for the Vietnam war, a war that he doesn’t believe in morally, and he says, “‘I was too good for this war, too smart, too compassionate, too everything’” (O’Brien 269). By stating that this is a war he sees himself as above, part of the conflict is in him not knowing how he could’ve possibly been drafted. Another part is his internal panic, he didn’t like this fight, he didn’t want to kill and to die, yet he was still drafted. Then, at the very …show more content…
Even right before he left for his journey he describes his house as “The old chrome toaster, the telephone, the pink and white formica in the kitchen” (O’Brien 279). This is not only descriptive, but he’s saying it in such a fond, reminiscent way that you would think this was the last time he would see his house because he felt like if he left and fled, the shame he would feel would keep him from ever coming back to his family’s
When examining On the Rainy River by Tim O’Brien from a reader-response perspective it becomes clear that contrary to popular belief courage does not come from engaging yourself in dangerous situations, it comes from not letting anyone come between you and your morals and beliefs. O’Brien found peace when he fled, and he felt miserable, like a coward when he caved in and went to war. Through careful analysis, my mind interprets the text in a way that shows how you are not brave for doing what you
others will often do things they are against because of the thought of being judged or ridiculed, so they aren't always capable of picking the right choice, but instead what the majority favors. This idea can be explored in the text “On The Rainy River” by Tim O'Brien after he is drafted for the war in which he wants to run away from, but is scared to do so because of others thoughts and what they'll think if he returns and the thought of that ends up
Tim O'Brien was conceived in 1946 in Austin, Minnesota. Tim's dad, William Timothy O'Brien, an insurance businessperson and his mom, Ava O'Brien, a primary teacher; Both of his folks were veterans. As a child O'Brien invested time perusing in the county library, figuring out how to perform magic tricks, and play baseball. O'Brien went to Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota where he contemplated political science. When he graduated in 1968, he was planning to join the State Development as
In the story “On the Rainy River” by Tim O’Brien, imagery is created to support the author’s use of tone to show his perspectives on the idea and moral points of war. Tim used imagery in describing a pig factory, his experience on a shore, and time spent with a man named Elroy to create the overall tone of longing for clarity and despair in his story. All of these examples that create imagery are shown to the reader, which helps to express the author’s tone about his views and beliefs on war. To