The thing about a story is that you dream it as you tell it, hoping that others might then dream along with you, and in this way memory and imagination and language combine to make spirits in the head. There is the illusion of aliveness. ~Tim O'Brien 
Read the following except from Philip Caputo's novel A Rumor of War, then consider the comments.
“So much was lost with you, so much talent and intelligence and decency. . . you embodied the best that was in us. You were a part of us, and a part of us died with you, the small part that was still young, that had not yet grown cynical, grown bitter and old with death. . . whatever the rights or wrongs of the war, nothing can diminish the rightness of what you tried to do . . . You were faithful. Your country is not . . . “As I write this, 11 years after your death, the country for which you died wishes to forget the war in which you died. Its very name is a curse . . . But there are a few of us who do remember because of the small things that made us love you — your gestures, the words you spoke, and the way you looked. We loved you for what you were and what you stood for.”
Has this novel changed your impression of war? What will you remember most from reading it? Why is it that Tim O'Brien, Philip Caputo, Bill Hagee, and others keep writing about it? What is it they want you to learn? Did you learn it? Were you listening?
And in the end, of course, a true war story is never about war. It's about sunlight. It's about the special way that dawn spreads out on a river when you know you must cross that river and march into the mountains and do things you are afraid to do. It's about love and memory. It's about sorrow.It's about sisters who never write back and people who never listen. ~Tim O'Brien
57 comments:
this novel HAS changed my impression of war because i thought it was all about just going and fighting and i didnt think it really affected them very much but it DOES!!! i remember alot of the detailsfrom the book such as how much pain O'Brien was in when he got shot and how he described his experience. they want you to understand and learn that the war wasnt fun and it isnt easy to recover from an experience like that. they also want to try to tell things in a way that they dont feel they are actually telling someone and frightening them. i think i have learned this.
well i have always had the same view of war. I dont like it. IF and only if it is necessary then its exceptable. one of the things that pissed me off about the vietnam war is that it wasnt our fight and it wasnt even a war, there was no point. Just like in iraq, there is no reason for us to be iver there, we never found anything and never will, keeping the peace in a country that isnt ours is dangerous and all it causes is bad things.This "war" has proved that.
sorry, i'll get off my soap box now.
guard_girl1220
Although I didn't really like the book, I have learned a ton. I know that war changes you. Maybe it's for the good, maybe for the bad. Either way, you are never the same person after you fight in a war. This past weekend, I was doing a show for a group of Army Veterans. Our closing songs are the branches of the militarys song's, followed by Glory, Glory Halllelujah. As I watched the Veterans in the audience stand up, tears started running down my face. I was so touched by the passion and love they had for our country and was so blessed to be able to perform for these amazing people. I have comlete and total repect and admiration for these people, because I could not do what they did.
texas2010
This novel has indeed changed my impression of war. I will remember the hardships and struggles of the war. I will remember the way the guys had to try to make the war "fun" and the things they had to go through and the losses...the things they had to see day after day. The diseases and danger that surrounded them each day was tremendous. I believe Tim and them keep writing about the war because they want the people to understand...and they want to get it all out so it doesnt keep piling up inside. They want you to learn that war is not something everyone is capable of doing. And the things that go on are unexplanitory. I believe that i did learn and listen...but i believe there is so much more to learn.
This novel has not changed my view of war because it is an anti war novel. His point in writing the novel was to persuade and try to get you on his side in my opinion. Who is to decide if a war is acceptable? Alot of bad things come out of wars but also alot of good things come out like freedoms for other people even if they are not from our country.
But overall I liked the book because I thought there was alot of emotion in there and it showed how they acted sometimes even though tim obrien most likely did stretch some facts to fit his agenda.
Striker
this novel has definitely changed my impression of war. war feels more real to me now. like, i always knew what it was, but now i feel like i understand it more. i will remember the part when tim took his daughter back to the place where kiowa was killed the most. his daughter--like most young kids--was impatient and just wanted to leave, but for tim, it was very meaningful. i think these authors keep writing about war because it's a way for them to vent. and if they don't tell their story, who will? they want us to learn what war really is; that it's not a bunch of people shooting each other all the time. it's about making an allegiance and a commitment with strangers who become family, it's about defending your country and your life--even if you don't know why you're fighting.
Yes it has changed my impression of war. Cuz it shows how they in groups care about eachother, they just dont think of them as ok i reather him died than me is about i hope none of us died in here. The things that i will remember of this story is how things teach u to look at other things in a different way and how people do care about u even though they dont know much about u. this story wanted us to learn wat a war is really about not just killing but taking care of who ur with and help each other. and i think ive learned this lesson
La Fl@ka
this novel hasnt changed my impression of the war. i already knew tons of things about vietnam and read lots of books about it. i will remember how vigorisly they wanted out and how terrified they were.
i believe that these authors that you mentioned keep writing these stories because it is the only way they know how to express their experiences in vietnam. the things that they are telling in their novels are almost to hard to talk about just in an open conversation. i also believe that the authors want people to know how the soldiers who were actually in the war felt.
yes i did learn some things and i also listened.
tomtom
this has changed my view on the war. i will remember the kiowa dieing in the shit field. to let the reader know what happened in different point of views. they want you to learn about the war and also about the people in the war also. yes i did learn it and i did listen.
This novel has taught me more about war. I will remember about true war stories and death. i think these authors keep writing these stories because it's a sort of rememberence. It is for people who don't know what happened to learn about what soldiers went through. They want people to learn that it's not just seeing and shoting. There is much guilt and it is difficult to let go of these experiences. I learned quite a bit about the experiences of the Vietnam war through this novel.
Reading this novel as given me a whole new impressiong about the war. Before I read it, my only thoughts were yes, the war was a horrible place to be. Yeah, it can get ugly but nothing more than vague thoughts. But now, after reading this book, I have a more visual outlook on the war. Some of the things that Tim O'Brien describes in the novel are so graphic its like you can see it right there. That is one thing I will rememeber most about this novel.
I think the reason those men keep writing about it is because they can't get it out of their head. It is stuck there like an annoying song. Events that happened while they were there and even after they were there have impacted their life like nothing has before.
--Brainyblonde92
These authors write about the war to help us remember those who died and those who lived. They write to keep their spirit alive. Most people try to forget the war we actually lost, but they won't.
i think that the reason why they wrote sbout the war waws because well they were in the war first of all but i think they are trying to put a point across out minds that if it wasnt for the war we probably wouldnt have half the rights that we have today. i think they are trying to show that we should be happy for where we live and that we have a free country.
ilovechels
Yes it HAS changed my impression of war because I feel as though I was there in Vietnam with Tim. Tim has made war more clear to me now. From this book i will most remember how Rat shot himself to go home. I think they keep writing about the war because they want us to know what REALLY went on. Yes, i did learn. But at some parts of the story i wasn't listening because it just BORED me. Some chapters were unnecessary.
BETCHIMTHEBOMBLIKETICTIC
People write about these kind of things because its so hard to deal with it. They have to let it out some way. Yes it will still be with them. Reading this novel did change my view of war. It's not all about killing. They have wife and kids back home. We read about stories about the memories they hold on to before they left for war. Like Tim and his daughter. And when they stories about what happened he really went into detail. Your just like wow.
*Lara May*
They write about these war story so people can see the real side of what war does to people and how bad and pointless it is. This novel has shown me a whole new perspective on war. It seems so hard on people that go over to fight wars.
It has not changed my outlook on the war but I feel if it is neccessary to have war. Because if someone pushes us around and we dont stand up for our selfs than we will get steped on and taken apart. War is bad but in a good way.
Lvsk8er91
i believe it has changed what i think about the war. its shows you that its not all about killing. the thing i will remember most about this movie is how the soldiers were pretty much family. they argued and yelled and fought with one another but when it got down to it they respected each other and looked out for one another. i believe that the writers want to show how hard it was over there and what all they had to go through and thats why they keep writing because they cant get it out of their minds.
......nikeboy.....
This novel has changed my impression of the war by knowing what they were thinking and had to go threw.
LOVE
This novel has changed my impression of war a lil but not much...i feel a lil bit sadder for those that died and thats all...i already felt everything else before this book...i'll remember what Tim said about real war stories probably the most...These guys keep talking about it ao that they dont have to deal with it alone...they want us to learn how they felt about the entire thing and i know that know...i was listening unlike timmy who slept the entire time or when i looked him in the closet for the whole hour till he got too hot and couldn't breath!!!!!!!!!
Mr.StuzmanFan60
No, this novel has not changed my impression of war. I was brought up knowing the way war was and still is. And even as a kid I loved playing "war". Then wen I got older I learned that what we did act out really happen not just in movies & cartoons. then i started to study some battles of the Civil War and how many had died. My dad showed me that war was not just about killing; it was about what & why your fighting. the men your with become closer than your parents.
What I'll remember most about the reading is the love they had for each other. The way they were scared to death to die yet they would die for the men on each side of them. It was the trust that they had build in just days that would last a live time.
Why would writers keep writing of the wars they were in? because they feel that the rest of the world should know what they had to go through or what others went through. To help future generations to learn from their mistakes, yet we don't listen or learn.
I personally did learn that war is not a "game" it is real and peoples lives are changed forever. Yet I do not have much hope for this generation. Out in public people look different and nice but inside they are going to mess up this world that has been happing since the Fall. (sorry I call it as I see it)
I learned a lot about the war when reading this book. I learned about death and the hardships as well as all the friendships and family in Vietnam. I will probably remember the shit feild the most from the story just because it was really weird. All of these men keep writing about the war to let people know what our soldiers where doing over there and how they were risking their lives for their country. They also want to remember all the memories. When getting older and going through those things you sometimes forget, so that is why they put all their thoughts and memories of war on paper.
Volleyball23
I would say that this qoute/novel has changed my perspective some. Even though some people may not agree with the war or whats going on, love ones are getting killed and will never come back. People may not like whats happening but they need to remember they're just following orders and serving their country.
no this hasnt changed anything for me it still makes me think most ameicans are idiots for the simple fact we couldnt kill every last one of those people over there. in result to that we had to back down like a bunch of little school girls who got their lunch money stolen from a big asain bully. these people keep writting about this crap because that war has ruined their lifes so badly they cant get out of this post war depression psycho bull crap. no i didnt learn anything and ya i listened.
TYLER MURPHY
Uhm, the novel that we just read kind of changed my impression about the war. But, not really though. Because my dad is in the military and from the things that he told me and what the novel says is completely different from each other. The thing that I will remember most is probabley the part where they were talking about the S*** fields. It is so nasty even thinking about people drowning or even walking in it. The thought of it is just BLAH!! I have no clue why they keep writing about it. I actually was trying to listen and follow, but you know how our class is Mrs. Snow! To many people are distracting and they do not listen.
The novel gave me a different perspective to look at the war from. It also, gave me insight to what the soldiers had to experience in the war and all the troubles that they had after the war. It really enlightened me on the vietnam War.
My impression of the war hasn't changed at all. And the authors write about the war to remind everyone of the people that died and fought hard for our country. Many people choose to avoid the thought of Vietnam. But it should be rememberd.
I think this novel has kind of changed my impression of war. I knew it was violent and cursing and harsh, but I really didn't understand the kind of strength that you need to go into the war. Physically and mentally! I'm probably going to remember the part when they're in the field and one of the guys drown in the shit lake!! They keep writing about the war because they're trying to tell their side of the story. I think they probably want us to learn about the war and what really happens and goes on during the time of war, and I'm pretty sure I learned what was going on.
the novel clearified my confusion with all the diffrent things i have heard about the wasr. since people told me about the war and some how i had an idea about it. i'll remember all the details that O'Brien described in the book of how he thought about and reacted to things. also his thoughts about other people.
WAR. a lot of people hate it and find in unnesessary. in some ways its kinda like the fights that happen at school its normally over something stupid that can be talked through but it always seems to esclate into much more. i now realize how hard it would be physically, mentally, and emotionally to fight in any war. i feel bad for all the soliders that faught in vietnam for not getting any recognition for everything they did for their own country even though many didnt want to be fighting they still did.
*jojofosho*
Not one bit. I was brought up with 3 family members who were in Veitnam. Also the novel was very confusing. Maybe if it was better written i would have injoyed it more.
I never agreed with the war in the first place, but now i realize even more how severe the war was. All the men are probably still devastated from the war, and either wont talk about it or feel like they have to let others know about it all. i learned much from this, and yes i was listening.
Deadhead
Before reading "the things they carried", I had absolutely no idea what men and women went through while fighting for my rights and freedom. It took me, maybe 3 or 4 chapters of the book, to understand that what they did, was more honorable than any music artist or professional dancer that I look up to and I have great humility for their service. I think I will remember the shit field the most from this book. It was scary just reading about it. And then when Kiowa was "drowned" in it, I felt an aching pain in my stomach for the loss of their friendship and brother. It was terrible to know that that really did happen. I think people keep writing about war because it's hard to let go, to not think about the things that changed their lives drastically. The most important thing I got out of the reading was, respect life. Be grateful for your life and those around you who are just as scared as you are of losing it. And don't be bitter towards life, live it out loud, pursue your dreams and don't give up after your first try. You make it what you want it to be. PLUS, you only get oe chance, So Why Not?
MusicalSoul
I've actually always thought of it the same. I've always thought that these guys had the worst part. they had to see their friends get blown away and they didnt even get a welcome back. memories of the war go with them because the memories are like scars theyh never go away no matter what you do. i will remember the brotherhood of the guys.
This book really makes war seem more real, and even though theres no way for me to relate to most of it, it makes me feel the weight and seriousness of war. what i will remember most from reading it is probably the story of Obriens friend when he was little that died from cancer, and also his time at home before the war. These wwere not the most shocking or attention grabbing parts by any means, but it really makes you realize that these soldiers all have a past and something to live for. This just makes it all the more real when someone dies.
CONDOR
this novel doesn't change my impression of war because ive gotten the impression of war wene i 1st started to learn about wars in history class. ill probably remember the sh*t field most in the novel, because its probably one of the worst ways to die. they all 3 probably keep writing about it because, they keep remember memories they have had that aren't in any of there other books yet. they want us to learn what there life was like in times of war.
I don't really know about war butvi did realize that there is alot more to war than just fighting and people dying.
cheer2010
People write about these kind of things because its so hard to deal with it. They have to let it out some way. Yes it will still be with them. Reading this novel did change my view of war. It's not all about killing. They have wife and kids back home. We read about stories about the memories they hold on to before they left for war. Like Tim and his daughter. And when they stories about what happened he really went into detail.
The book didn't change my opinion at all. It was kind of liberal and anti war. Which is not me at all. But I did enjoy the book it was funny and sad all at the same time and it kept my attention.
I have had a better understanding of war after I read this, but it still hasnt changed my outlook on war.
And I think they want us to learn what they were feeling and why they were writing it.
lar16c
War is a complicated thing. after reading the book i understand a little more about what its like..knda...and the things they go through. It must be really hard to go and fight and risk your life daily for your country..then come back and no one gives you thanks, they just go on with their happy lives. Its basically all over something that should be talked out. but of course life is not that easy
k33
After reading The Things They Carried i got a different perspective on war itself. I knew that times were different for the people from when they were in compared to when they got out of it but, i guess i fail to realize what kinda of impact it has on people in their later years. It would be really hard to lose your friends and have to shoot people that you dont even know if they are an enemy. Tim and the others keep writing about the war because it probably helps them get their mind off of it.
my brother-in-law is a soldier and i dont know if he had the same impact as others. My impression of war is that it is so harsh and it kind of saddens me because there is no reason that two civilizations should have to hate each other.
i think that war is rough and it has no rules but i have recently thought that there is no reason that two civilizations should hate each other.
This novel hasnt changed my impression of the war at all. I know that the Vietnam War was not a good war, that was a completre waste of time. I think that these authors keep writing about the war to keep their memories and their dead friends memories around and to keep going.
*Lil Wayne*
the book has changed my perspective on the vietnam war, it sucks i know how it feels to say good bye and not know if your gunna see them again
~~Anze_Kopitar
this novel shows the true brutality of war. i have seen many war movies but this changed my perspective on war for the worst. i will remember tims story of killing a man in this novel the most because it wasnt just violent but it showed how he responded to it. these men keep wrighting about the war because they are messed up and they need some way to let out all of theyre mixed emmotions and terror. they want the readers to feel what they felt. i was listening to this novel because it greatly caught my attention...
To be hoenst i wasnt listening, my attention span doesnt last long. But im sure it would have been great if i was listening.
ilovemolly
I learned that you have to live every moment like it is your last. The soldiers never knew when they would be killed, but yet they still found ways to make themselves forget about it. Like the guy that was playing ball and stepped on a bomb and was thrown into the tree. They knew the risk of those bombs being around but still decided to kid around. It was stupid but I saw it as they were just trying to lighten the mood. I really liked the book. It made me realize how heroic they really were, even though they didnt want to be there.
I learned many things from this book. Before reading i didnt know much about the Vietnam war. Now i see that it was a war that changed thousands of soldiers lives. It explains why the people of that time felt the way they did. It was very sad.
ilovechelsea
This whole unit on the Vietnam War has really helped me to see things in a different light. Before this, I never really thought about the after affects of the war. i never thought about the boys that had come home to noone because everyone they had before had turned their backs on them. Now I really trult respect our veterans because they deserve every bit of it and more.
this novel didnt change my look on the war but it has showed me more of wat goes on during the war though. the things that i will remember about the book is how they felt after the war and the things that they did after the war because of the war. i think tim o'brien, Philip Caputo, and th athers kept writing about the war so that they could get all the unspeakable things that happend off of there chests. the mesage i got from the book was that though the war was a wast of time and money the lifes that werer lost in the war will never be forgotten by there friends family or the ones who died along side.
it hasnt changed my mind becuase there are millions of wars stories and wars all suck but i never really liked vitnam tho becuase we lost and we didnt accomplish anything at all that is the only reason tim o brien made it sound to easy
They want us to remember what they went through so it won't happen again. They want to exspress there feelings.
Yes, this particular novel has changed my impression of war because I feel like now I understand more than I did before. I have heard and pictured what it is like to go to war. I applouad those that can go to war they are very brave and very strong. I'll remember more than anything else in the novel the memories that the soliders took home with them. All of these people keep writing about it beacause this is how they share with the world their memories and what it was like. To try to give you a better understanding. They want you to learn that the war is different than everyone makes it out to be. You will never fully understand untill you go to a war and experience all of this for yourself. I also learned this you can never fully relate to the situation unless you have experienced it first hand.
Hayle Holzkamper
Yes this did change my view of the war. i have a lot of respect for the men that faught inthis because they didnt need to be there but they went anyway. left everything behind in a cloud of dust their loved ones everything to lay their lives out on the line for our freedom.
No I still feel the same about war. I will remember that a lot of people died and it was not fun for the men who fought. Kertis
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