Tim O Brien's Accomplishments

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Tim O’Brien is considered as one of the most successful authors of his time period-even being nominated as the best short story author of the 20th century. Along with his acquired fame and reputation, he has rightfully earned many awards to accompany it. His success can be primarily credited to his suffering, which inspired many of his writings. O’Brien used his traumatic experiences in the Vietnam war to attach his personal beliefs and emotions to his work.
Before he began writing literature, O’Brien was a stellar student earning his BA in political science at Macalester College- after the war he would eventually attend Harvard University. However, his future was drastically altered as in the same year he graduated MC in 1968, he was drafted into the Vietnam war. There, the future award winning author served in the 46th Infantry Regiment. While being introduced to fellow soldiers, he was informed that he was placed in the same platoon that massacred enemies in My Lai just the year before (Britannica.com)- a thought that would linger in his mind. Eventually O’Brien would serve two years in the …show more content…

He has stated that he still has trouble sleeping at night; he must try to overcome the nightmares. Though the war has caused problems in his life, he has revisited sites in Vietnam where he had formerly served to repay his dues and never forget the past (Rosenwald). Despite the fact he was forced to serve in a war he did not agree with, he understands it was a necessary inspiration for him to be able to write. He keeps this thought in mind as he continues to write his novels today. O’Brien has shifted away from writing about war, and now emphasizes on the post lives of veterans. War, although painful, can bring success and a higher appreciation of life. O’Brien wrote his outstanding novels as a way to keep living (The WashingtonPost.com), meaning each one was deeply influenced by his

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