Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Putting Down the Load- The Lives of the Dead
The truth comes out, O'Brien had already started carrying a load before the war started. This childhood friend was the first death he really saw. Although this death was more innocent then the deaths in the war (I mean Linda didn't kill anyone), it gave O'Brien something to carry. It also gave a him a respect to the dead (seen when he wouldn't shake the hand of that dead guy he met). O'Brien needed this book more than any English class ever will. He needed it to place down his load and stand up straight and tall. He's been carrying it for sometime, and now it's time to put down the load and carry something else.
It's a Wonderful Night- Night Life
I find it amusing that the men make fun of the cowards that shoot themselves through the foot, yet when Rat shoots himself in the foot "Nobody blames him" (page 212) (is it bad that "Shot through the heart" got stuck in my head due to this chapter?). I think the men are secretly jealous that Rat got off. He valued his life over the view of the men around him. This chapter focuses on motivation. What is the motivation of the men once they enter the dreaded night life? What is their survival motivation?
Revenge's a...-The Ghost Soldiers
"I'd turn mean inside. Even a little cruel at times. For all my education, all my fine liberal values, I now felt a deep coldness inside me, something dark and beyond reason. It's a hard thing to admit, even to myself, but I was capable of evil." (page 191)
O'Brien is a great example of humans. We can act like the highest species as if we're detached from the primitive instincts that we have but we really can't. O'Brien explains that his vow to get Bobby was evil revenge eating at him but I view it a little differently. Humans are still animals. We still have those instincts, the ones we try to block because most are against social norms (examples range from revenge to peeing outside). But something like a war can strip that implanted human values and it allows the "id" of our brain to come through. For those who don't know, Sigmund Freud came up with the theory that ever human brain has a id a super ego and a ego. The id is tells us what we really want to do, the super ego tells us what's right and wrong and the ego balances the two so that we can function normally.
Any who this chapter just proves that we aren't detached, so embrace it. Run outside barefoot, go hiking and pee in the woods, pull a piratical joke and seek revenge. Live life to fullest, down with the super ego because we're only human.
O'Brien is a great example of humans. We can act like the highest species as if we're detached from the primitive instincts that we have but we really can't. O'Brien explains that his vow to get Bobby was evil revenge eating at him but I view it a little differently. Humans are still animals. We still have those instincts, the ones we try to block because most are against social norms (examples range from revenge to peeing outside). But something like a war can strip that implanted human values and it allows the "id" of our brain to come through. For those who don't know, Sigmund Freud came up with the theory that ever human brain has a id a super ego and a ego. The id is tells us what we really want to do, the super ego tells us what's right and wrong and the ego balances the two so that we can function normally.
Any who this chapter just proves that we aren't detached, so embrace it. Run outside barefoot, go hiking and pee in the woods, pull a piratical joke and seek revenge. Live life to fullest, down with the super ego because we're only human.
Be Prepared- Field Trip
O'Brien and his daughter have an interesting trip. While O'Brien is reliving his war, and memories. Kathleen is making memories instead of reliving them. This separates the two travellers by a ton. I don't really know what O'Brien was thinking, I mean this 10 year old might be a picture of a smart child but there isn't any way she can't really understand why he wants to go to random field. She is seeing this place in a new light, a joyful path with a tour guide that can do magic tricks.
So I guess this shows the differences of people in the war. There are the ones involved and then there are the ones that try to understand. Try as I she might Kathleen won't be able to understand, and try as O'Brien might he can't get her to see his shit field. Both parties need to be prepared to shuttle in this gap, so they can both understand.
So I guess this shows the differences of people in the war. There are the ones involved and then there are the ones that try to understand. Try as I she might Kathleen won't be able to understand, and try as O'Brien might he can't get her to see his shit field. Both parties need to be prepared to shuttle in this gap, so they can both understand.
The Boy Who Called Storyteller- Good Form
Thoughts running through my mind after reading this chapter, and if anyone wises to validate these claims look in my book
WHAT THE HECK
IS ANY OF THIS BOOK TRUE
IS KIOWA DEAD
DOES KIOWA EXIST
IS NORMAN'S STORY TRUE
Here's the thing Mr. O'Brien, if you want to write a fictional story, go for it. Add battles and people and make up your war. However do not make it so realistic making it seem true. Do not create this war story that never happened, but report it so that the reader thinks it's true. That's like a grade school teacher telling kids that banana's are going to stop growing due to a hurricane that ripped most of the trees out of the banana growing areas, making a girl seem like a complete idiot to her parents when she suddenly wants to buy pounds of bananas. That is not Good Form
Christmas is ruined
WHAT THE HECK
IS ANY OF THIS BOOK TRUE
IS KIOWA DEAD
DOES KIOWA EXIST
IS NORMAN'S STORY TRUE
Here's the thing Mr. O'Brien, if you want to write a fictional story, go for it. Add battles and people and make up your war. However do not make it so realistic making it seem true. Do not create this war story that never happened, but report it so that the reader thinks it's true. That's like a grade school teacher telling kids that banana's are going to stop growing due to a hurricane that ripped most of the trees out of the banana growing areas, making a girl seem like a complete idiot to her parents when she suddenly wants to buy pounds of bananas. That is not Good Form
Christmas is ruined
Wonderin How Much I Can Take- In the Field
"At daybreak the platoon of 18 soldiers formed into a loose rank and began tramping side by side through the deep muck of the shit field" (page 155).
This chapter is full of suspense. I keep waiting for the real culprit of Kiowa's death, the one that lost him. This chapter is told in third person, allowing the reader to hear the many stories of that night in the field. I just kept waiting for the solider that would say something along the lines of "I was suppose to have Kiowa's back but I was busy eating a sandwich and he died"
Kiowa's death was a series of unfortunate events, and wasn't any one's fault. This death changes many of the troops. Jimmy doesn't yell at the young solider who is searching for the picture, Azar goes from making fun of death to respecting it and then all the men seem happier to be alive (see page 168)
This chapter is full of suspense. I keep waiting for the real culprit of Kiowa's death, the one that lost him. This chapter is told in third person, allowing the reader to hear the many stories of that night in the field. I just kept waiting for the solider that would say something along the lines of "I was suppose to have Kiowa's back but I was busy eating a sandwich and he died"
Kiowa's death was a series of unfortunate events, and wasn't any one's fault. This death changes many of the troops. Jimmy doesn't yell at the young solider who is searching for the picture, Azar goes from making fun of death to respecting it and then all the men seem happier to be alive (see page 168)
Cleaning Your Slate-Notes
"By telling stories, you objectify your own experience. You separate it from yourself. You pin down certain truths. You make up others" (Pages 152)
For the man that went from "Quang Ngai to Harvard" (page 151) I'm shocked that he's coped as well as he has. If it weren't for he's writing profession I would dare to say that he wouldn't be as over the war as he is right now. I struggle with his situation with Norman though (I love how all of my favorite characters in this book are fictional or dead). He's an accomplished author already so why didn't he tell Norman's story before now? He could of gotten the story out under a pen name or he could of just published something better. I mean what's the point of telling a story (the purpose of this story being to alleviate the pain of the events that occurred) if you aren't going to tell the true story. I mean that's like putting a Toy Story 3 band aid on a broken leg. Sure it might look nice but it sure isn't helping.
I'm glad O'Brien finally got this story out, but I'm disappointed in the story teller.
For the man that went from "Quang Ngai to Harvard" (page 151) I'm shocked that he's coped as well as he has. If it weren't for he's writing profession I would dare to say that he wouldn't be as over the war as he is right now. I struggle with his situation with Norman though (I love how all of my favorite characters in this book are fictional or dead). He's an accomplished author already so why didn't he tell Norman's story before now? He could of gotten the story out under a pen name or he could of just published something better. I mean what's the point of telling a story (the purpose of this story being to alleviate the pain of the events that occurred) if you aren't going to tell the true story. I mean that's like putting a Toy Story 3 band aid on a broken leg. Sure it might look nice but it sure isn't helping.
I'm glad O'Brien finally got this story out, but I'm disappointed in the story teller.
15 Men on a Deadman's chest- Speaking of Courage
"I almost won the Sliver Star" (page 135)
Kiowa died in battle. It clearly affected the men, especially Norman. Kiowa was there for the men to talk to when they needed him (see "the man I killed") and he also made the men stay moral. He was the moral of this war story (up to this point) and his senseless death cause a great uproar in the life of Norman. Norman wasn't normal, he won 7 medals and even if he claims "They were for common valor. The routine stuff, daily stuff-just humping just enduring" (page 135) but I think they're worth something. He wanted to come back a true, combat-ready, courageous solider. However the death of Kiowa, and the lost of his Silver Star made him start to doubt himself. Instead of being happy to be home, he drives around the lake 12 times.
The problem with this chapter, or perhaps the book is that it's a "pure idea" (page 139) to me. I've never seen, tasted, felt, heard or carried a war. I can't imagine losing someone in a "goddamn shit field" (page 139). I can try to understand, but I can't. Norman is having a similar problem only it's opposite. He can't tell his story. This character has become one of my favorites (perhaps it's because I love a man in a decorated uniform) because he seems true UNLIKE O'Brien who can tell a great story but can't tell the truth.
One final side note, the imagery in this chapter was top notch. I loved the description of the field, lake town and the fireworks. Well done O'Brien, you storyteller, well done.
Kiowa died in battle. It clearly affected the men, especially Norman. Kiowa was there for the men to talk to when they needed him (see "the man I killed") and he also made the men stay moral. He was the moral of this war story (up to this point) and his senseless death cause a great uproar in the life of Norman. Norman wasn't normal, he won 7 medals and even if he claims "They were for common valor. The routine stuff, daily stuff-just humping just enduring" (page 135) but I think they're worth something. He wanted to come back a true, combat-ready, courageous solider. However the death of Kiowa, and the lost of his Silver Star made him start to doubt himself. Instead of being happy to be home, he drives around the lake 12 times.
The problem with this chapter, or perhaps the book is that it's a "pure idea" (page 139) to me. I've never seen, tasted, felt, heard or carried a war. I can't imagine losing someone in a "goddamn shit field" (page 139). I can try to understand, but I can't. Norman is having a similar problem only it's opposite. He can't tell his story. This character has become one of my favorites (perhaps it's because I love a man in a decorated uniform) because he seems true UNLIKE O'Brien who can tell a great story but can't tell the truth.
One final side note, the imagery in this chapter was top notch. I loved the description of the field, lake town and the fireworks. Well done O'Brien, you storyteller, well done.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
And She Danced- Style
One problem I believe soldiers have is that after a while they forget what they're actually doing. If this girl hadn't of danced in the ruins of her house I doubt this little village would of been remembered at all. What I found interesting is that some of the troops were making fun of her, despite the fact that they wore stockings around their neck or they humped other random things to allieve the pain war causes. This girl could of screamed and attacked the soldiers for their actions, but similar to the monks in the Church chapter she just pushes that feeling aside and tries to find joy in the bleakest of moments. I must congratulate this flat character on making the troops take a step back and realize that they are affecting people, and that they aren't the only ones carrying things.
Worst than the Droid- Ambush
When I first glanced at this chapter title I thought that someone else was going to die. An epic battle of sorts, or a terrible enemy (like verizon's droid, I'm sorry but that phone freaks me out due to it's commercials. Even if I'm a loyal verizon carrier one nightmare I have concerns the Droid taking over the world) but I found something more horrifying.
"Sometimes I forgive myself, other times I don't. In ordinary hours of life I try not to dwell but now and then when I'm reading a newspaper or just sitting alone in a room, I'll look up and see the young men step out of the morning fog, I'll watch him walk toward me" Page 128
This is worst than a the Droid. Personally this is why I don't think I could ever go into the military. I don't think I could handle being haunted the rest of my life with such guilt and horror. The title of this chapter is sets a certain mood, of being chased and attacked. Another thing to carry
"Sometimes I forgive myself, other times I don't. In ordinary hours of life I try not to dwell but now and then when I'm reading a newspaper or just sitting alone in a room, I'll look up and see the young men step out of the morning fog, I'll watch him walk toward me" Page 128
This is worst than a the Droid. Personally this is why I don't think I could ever go into the military. I don't think I could handle being haunted the rest of my life with such guilt and horror. The title of this chapter is sets a certain mood, of being chased and attacked. Another thing to carry
Friday, August 6, 2010
Kill or be Killed?- The Man I Killed
This chapter was rather graphic starting with the nice physical description in the beginning of the chapter, but then it gets worse. O'Brien creates this fictional life for his victim. He didn't know if this young man was from My Khe or if liked books or if he wanted to be a math teacher.
In this war you see the soldiers lean on each other, making their battle buddies another thing they carry. I really like Kiowa through this book, he seems more down to earth and connected to the feelings to the others (also he's a chatter box and I'm always impressed by extroverts like that).
Okay another tangent. Look how effected O'Brien is affected by this. how he's tormented, as he should he took someone else's life. I understand how in war one must fight in order to survive but I'm glad that O'Brien didn't take one paragraph explaining this death and spend the rest of the chapter talking about how much lighter his backpack is thanks to the ammunition he used. I'm scared for the new war tactics we have, although it's safer to separate our troops as far as we can from the battlefield, it's also making killing a lot easier. You lose that emotional tug by killing from hundred yards away. Somewhat making it easier I guess
Wonderful
In this war you see the soldiers lean on each other, making their battle buddies another thing they carry. I really like Kiowa through this book, he seems more down to earth and connected to the feelings to the others (also he's a chatter box and I'm always impressed by extroverts like that).
Okay another tangent. Look how effected O'Brien is affected by this. how he's tormented, as he should he took someone else's life. I understand how in war one must fight in order to survive but I'm glad that O'Brien didn't take one paragraph explaining this death and spend the rest of the chapter talking about how much lighter his backpack is thanks to the ammunition he used. I'm scared for the new war tactics we have, although it's safer to separate our troops as far as we can from the battlefield, it's also making killing a lot easier. You lose that emotional tug by killing from hundred yards away. Somewhat making it easier I guess
Wonderful
Fly Away- Church
First and foremost this book is way more accepting of religion than Hemmingway which makes this book earn a point in it's favor (score right now Hemmingway 187, O'Brien 57..make that 58). I love the way how in this chapter the monks and the troops join in a happy harmony. I mean the soldiers are attacking the monks country, but the monks don't attack them which gives me hope towards the world. Whenever I read/hear about the Vietnam war I only think about the troops destroying the towns and innocent civilians. We watched this movie in APUSH about the civil war (the main guy was played by the actor that was Ferris Buller), I can't think of the title but in a scene in this movie the African Americans are sent to destroy an innocent town. They rape pillage and burn every nook and cranny of this town.
So these monks are really a pleasant surprise. They don't attack or kill they welcome and provide for these soldiers. These monks are foils to their other countrymen (who aren't in this chapter at all but I'm sure Costello can deal with it). Peace Hope and Love
Well done random monks
So these monks are really a pleasant surprise. They don't attack or kill they welcome and provide for these soldiers. These monks are foils to their other countrymen (who aren't in this chapter at all but I'm sure Costello can deal with it). Peace Hope and Love
Well done random monks
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
All In My Head- Stockings
"In many ways he was like America itself, big and strong, full of good intentions , a roll of fat jiggling at his belly, slow on his feet but always plodding along, always there when you needed him, a believer in the virtues of simplicity and directness of hard labor" page 111
I believe this little quote has a certain rhythm to it (drop that beat). When I read, and re-read this quote all I could think of was this steady monotone voice that was telling this chapter's story, similar to Eeyore off of Winne the Pooh. Instead of bursting a parade of patriotic pomp and circumstance off the page. O'Brien makes this very fine statement about America in a humble way (although I don't like that he called us fat, speak for yourself O'Brien).
I believe this little quote has a certain rhythm to it (drop that beat). When I read, and re-read this quote all I could think of was this steady monotone voice that was telling this chapter's story, similar to Eeyore off of Winne the Pooh. Instead of bursting a parade of patriotic pomp and circumstance off the page. O'Brien makes this very fine statement about America in a humble way (although I don't like that he called us fat, speak for yourself O'Brien).
Take That Martha Stewart- Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong
Step aside tough manly soldiers. You may think that women are only meant to serve you and to comfort you but let Mary Anne Bell show you how it's done. I love how the men are surprised that this women is able to step up and embrace the life at the compound.
Lets take a history lesson
Starting in WWI women were stepping up even more. While their men were off fighting the war they were taking up the slack and earning their keep. After WWI they were pushed back in their houses and baked their cookies. Then WWII came along and by this point women had learned their lesson. By the end of this war women had earned the most rights ever expressed to women in any society before that point. If that wasn't enough women were becoming more and more part of the battle field then before as well. So why is it such a shock that Mary Anne is able to embrace this war. I hate to break it to every confused person reading this book but males and females are not that different. Besides those few physical differences we are the same, and this war isn't about reproduction so it makes perfect sense that Mary Anne is able to fit in at the compound. Luckily for women today it's better, and it can always improve (but hey so can many things in life)
Sorry lads she isn't there to make you a sandwich
Lets take a history lesson
Starting in WWI women were stepping up even more. While their men were off fighting the war they were taking up the slack and earning their keep. After WWI they were pushed back in their houses and baked their cookies. Then WWII came along and by this point women had learned their lesson. By the end of this war women had earned the most rights ever expressed to women in any society before that point. If that wasn't enough women were becoming more and more part of the battle field then before as well. So why is it such a shock that Mary Anne is able to embrace this war. I hate to break it to every confused person reading this book but males and females are not that different. Besides those few physical differences we are the same, and this war isn't about reproduction so it makes perfect sense that Mary Anne is able to fit in at the compound. Luckily for women today it's better, and it can always improve (but hey so can many things in life)
Sorry lads she isn't there to make you a sandwich
Dental Care- The Dentist
I've been to the dentist a thousand times so I know the drill, I smooth back my hair sit back in the chair. But somehow I still get the chills- Owl City "Dental Care"
The dentist with bad breath (irony?) waltzes in and brings Lemon to his knees (apparently Lemon is alive now, I hate how O'Brien jumps around his story like a jumping bean). I personally hate the dentist so I have sympathy for Lemon. However I don't understand why he's "all smiles" at the end of the chapter. He had to invent a type of pain to get over his mental anguish towards the dentist. Lemon may be only a flat character in this story (at least thus far) but he brings a a new tone to this story. How these soldiers would rather take their physical pain over mental pain. While physical pain can be come with a yanked tooth, the embarrassment of fainting in front of your troop leaves a emotional scar for long periods of time to come.
The dentist with bad breath (irony?) waltzes in and brings Lemon to his knees (apparently Lemon is alive now, I hate how O'Brien jumps around his story like a jumping bean). I personally hate the dentist so I have sympathy for Lemon. However I don't understand why he's "all smiles" at the end of the chapter. He had to invent a type of pain to get over his mental anguish towards the dentist. Lemon may be only a flat character in this story (at least thus far) but he brings a a new tone to this story. How these soldiers would rather take their physical pain over mental pain. While physical pain can be come with a yanked tooth, the embarrassment of fainting in front of your troop leaves a emotional scar for long periods of time to come.
Two Truths and a Lie- How to tell a true war story
"You hate it, yes, but your eyes do not. Like a killer forest fire, like cancer under a microscope, like any battle or bombing raid or artillery barrage has the aesthetic beauty-and a true war story will tell the truth about this, though the truth is ugly" page 77
To be quite honest I found this chapter to be a little strange. First off this guy obviously knows how to tell a war story, otherwise we wouldn't be reading his war story we would read something differnt. Also since the River chapter I haven't believed a word this man has written, but have taken it as beautiful fiction. However this chapter has struck true to me.
The men in this war are able to cope/survive with war due to the beauty they find in it. I mean look what happens to Lemon dies "when he died it was almost beautiful, the way the sunlight came around him and lifted him up and sucked him high into a tree full of moss and vines and white blossoms" (page 67). Our hero doesn't mention one word about the blood or the body in the tree. So while the reader can use O'Brien's beautiful imagery to see the foliage in the war we can't see the evil of the war.
Another thing to carry?
To be quite honest I found this chapter to be a little strange. First off this guy obviously knows how to tell a war story, otherwise we wouldn't be reading his war story we would read something differnt. Also since the River chapter I haven't believed a word this man has written, but have taken it as beautiful fiction. However this chapter has struck true to me.
The men in this war are able to cope/survive with war due to the beauty they find in it. I mean look what happens to Lemon dies "when he died it was almost beautiful, the way the sunlight came around him and lifted him up and sucked him high into a tree full of moss and vines and white blossoms" (page 67). Our hero doesn't mention one word about the blood or the body in the tree. So while the reader can use O'Brien's beautiful imagery to see the foliage in the war we can't see the evil of the war.
Another thing to carry?
The Joker- Friends
I firmly believe this chapter is a great anecdote to illustrate the bond between battle buddies in this war. What I find mostly ironic is that these two are friends after the last chapter but that's beside the point. Even though these men face death and injury everyday and tried to fight that by trying to conquer it, hence the dreaded wheelchair wound pact on page 62 (although I'm always insanely jealous of those power wheelchairs while I'm in the grocery story). However you can see this fear once Strunk is injured, he cries and begs Jenson to let him live, wheelchair or not. Although Jenson lets him live he doesn't seem to sad that his best friend dies. In fact he was "relieved".
I think this shows another theme in this book that the men from war are dramatically changed and different from the ones at home. How the things they carry are pushing them to be different than society.
I think this shows another theme in this book that the men from war are dramatically changed and different from the ones at home. How the things they carry are pushing them to be different than society.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Enemies-Two Faced
I think this chapter length really shows the amount of pressure and new sense of justice the soldiers have. To show this pressure re-read this chapter Jensen was going through after the fight "At night he had trouble sleeping-a skittish feeling- always on guard, hearing strange noises in the dark, imagining a grenade rolling into his foxhole or the tickle of a knife against his ear. The distinction between good guys and bad guys disappeared for him." (page 60)
This "little" quote reminds me of the scene in "Emperors New Groove" when Kronk is running around singing his theme song, paranoid of everything. Sure these two men had fought but they're not out to kill each other. It just adds to another thing they carry, and then they are filled with a new sense of justice when Jenson broke his nose (or Jenson couldn't afford plastic surgery). I mean that type of Justice wouldn't of worked in a court house but it makes thing easier on the battle field.
This "little" quote reminds me of the scene in "Emperors New Groove" when Kronk is running around singing his theme song, paranoid of everything. Sure these two men had fought but they're not out to kill each other. It just adds to another thing they carry, and then they are filled with a new sense of justice when Jenson broke his nose (or Jenson couldn't afford plastic surgery). I mean that type of Justice wouldn't of worked in a court house but it makes thing easier on the battle field.
The New Guru- On the Rainy River
All men are born truthful, and die liars
-Vauvenargues
When I first read this chapter I thought I found my new favorite character Elory Berdahl. My heart strings were pulled as Tim fought with the drafting issue. Then after my spark notes search (This chapter was so vast I didn't want to miss anything) I read that this chapter was fiction. A complete figment of O'Brien storytelling ability (and even if it's well written lyres are meant for marching band not war stories)
LIAR
I don't care if this is chapter shows the stress of someone drafted
I don't care if this chapter had a great character
I don't care if I almost cried along with O'Brien while he was on the river
O'Brien lied
this chapter stinks
-Vauvenargues
When I first read this chapter I thought I found my new favorite character Elory Berdahl. My heart strings were pulled as Tim fought with the drafting issue. Then after my spark notes search (This chapter was so vast I didn't want to miss anything) I read that this chapter was fiction. A complete figment of O'Brien storytelling ability (and even if it's well written lyres are meant for marching band not war stories)
LIAR
I don't care if this is chapter shows the stress of someone drafted
I don't care if this chapter had a great character
I don't care if I almost cried along with O'Brien while he was on the river
O'Brien lied
this chapter stinks
Storytime-Spin
This story has this style of jumble-ness. For example chapter one is spent on the crew, chapter two on the love of Martha then now I get to read about checkers, chocolate bars and sitting under trees. Perhaps Time O'Brien is trying to show how much a soldier mind jumps to the past? I know I was a little tired of reading this chapter after reading a multitude of different subjects at once.I agree with Kathleen when she requests that O'Brien to write about something else. He only seems to bring out the boredom and horribleness of war... it's time to tell a different story
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