Surprisingly, this short chapter was one of my favorites. It engaged me the most because it showed the true personality of a young man that made himself look tough to his peers. It was a short story about a boy by the name of Curt Lemon, "a real mans man....a true soldier". No matter how tough he made himself seem, when the dentist came around he was scared silly. Scared enough to faint. The theme that I saw was profounder, this nineteen year old boy may have been swayed by the war, but he was unchanged. He was so ashamed of the fact that he fainted, he was embarrassed. Just like any young teenagers would be. But to prove to his platoon that he was a real soldier he had to do something....he had to pull a tooth. This terrified him, so not only was he proving something to himself but also to his platoon. I suppose the reason this chapter engaged me so much was there was a point. A strong bold young man will never allow himself to look weak. Which in war is probably a good quality, but also sad that he will never be able to put his guard down, even though he is still a teenager.
This book just confirms to me the same feelings I have always felt about war. It is a sad fact, but wars in some occasions are absolutely necessary. War kills, but brings peace. It destroys old ways, but allows new theory's to emerge. It is a blessing and a cures. I guess I feel the same way O'Brien does about war, to some degree at least. I don't approve of some things, because I don't know enough about them. But others like WWI and WWII were there is a deviant reason and a solid understanding of the war I strongly believe people should fight for their freedom. Now a days people except to much, they except things to be handed to them. They feel like the privileged ones that would never have to fight in a war (just a O'Brien did.) But there are some people that would not only die for their country, but they would die for the opportunity to honor and represent their country. This book just confirms all those feeling I already had about war.
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I love what you said at the end about people that would die not only for our country, but for the opportunity to honor and represent their country. I also agree with what you said about a strong boy never allowing himself to look weak. I think it is important to realize that while these boys are at war, that they have so many internal fears that still come out. Lastly, I really like what you said, "War kills, but brings peace." I agree with this because war is terrible, but the purpose is to solve problems for the greater good.
ReplyDeleteThis book has had a similar impact on me, in that it only confirms how I already felt about war. It seems like it's inevitable to happen sometimes. The people that fight for us should and do have honor and respect for themselves, and from all of the citizens of the U.S.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more. The war is necessary but at the same time it an awful thing. couldn't have said it better myself
ReplyDeleteYeah the dentist does kind of bring out the soft side of me everytime i go there, but i'm glad none of my friends come along to tease me. War does bring peace sometimes, but the guilt it leaves in the hearts of soldiers is worser. I really don't like the leaders who just call the shots and never have to go through what families and soldiers have to go through.
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