I agree with the statement, “ . . . this too is true: stories can save us” (223). I personally feel that if something is a part of your life, and you tell the story over and over, it keeps the moment alive; if only in your own mind. These stories may not be therapy to help one forget, but rather by telling it helps one to cope.
“I want you to know why story-truth is truer sometimes than happening-truth” (179). O'Brien is trying to relay the message that happening-truth is real, but it is the story-truth of how the actions taken place affect the lives of those experiencing the moment. To say there was gunfire all around me is happening-truth. To say for instance, from less than 200 meters away the sound of the gunfire was deafening, and this noise was a distraction all I wanted to do was make the right move without getting killed. That second statement was more about emotions, and was also true quoted by my cousin currently deployed over in Afghanistan. This was his quote on Facebook and it totally wrecked my soul. My first thought was pray for him!
In "The Lives of The Dead", O'Brien includes this story to show how important the intimate relationship between life and death is. This story poses a broader perspective than just a story about war. These stories were about remembering, and remembering keeps the dead alive.
Linda was O'Brien first love. He was in the fourth grade, and Linda was his love. Linda had a brain tumor and died. O'Brien had a hard time dealing with her untimely death. He was afraid to sleep, and often dreamed of Linda. These dreams kept her close to him and kept her alive in his mind. This was important for O'Brien as an adult. When asked by Kiowa if this was the first time he has seen a dead person, O'Brien says no. Linda was his first experience. Linda was different from the death he experienced in Vietnam. Linda was innocent and never asked for any danger unlike the war did for Lemon, Lavender, and the others. His experience in losing Linda helped him to cope by telling stories. These stories get him through life to keep the dead alive.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
New thoughts about truth?
After reading this novel I will be more skeptical of stories I may hear. I will listen with great interest and draw my own conclusions whether it is true or not. As with any story that is passed along from person to person, each time it is told someone adds their own twist. If the story were to ever get back to the original storyteller, I'm sure they would be shocked at the changes.
I believe that this story is "true" in the sense that the feelings associated with war are that real. These stories themselves may not have been true, but their impact was real. These stories could have taken place. They were not that far fetched to be unbelievable. At times while reading this book, I was shocked when O'Brien stated this story was not true. But it was my "stomach belief" that made them true. I felt as if I could relate and share their feelings.
I would definitely recommend this book. As a matter of fact, once we are done with this book in class, I am passing it on to a couple of coworkers that are interested in reading it. I am an emotional reader. I like to feel what the character is feeling. This was a great book to associate feelings with.
I believe that this story is "true" in the sense that the feelings associated with war are that real. These stories themselves may not have been true, but their impact was real. These stories could have taken place. They were not that far fetched to be unbelievable. At times while reading this book, I was shocked when O'Brien stated this story was not true. But it was my "stomach belief" that made them true. I felt as if I could relate and share their feelings.
I would definitely recommend this book. As a matter of fact, once we are done with this book in class, I am passing it on to a couple of coworkers that are interested in reading it. I am an emotional reader. I like to feel what the character is feeling. This was a great book to associate feelings with.
My Favorite Story
My favorite story was "How to Tell a True War Story". To me, it was not about how to tell a story exactly, but more about the feelings of the storyteller. When Rat Kiley wrote Curt Lemon's sister a letter, and she never answered; you could feel his hurt and pain. Kiley poured his heart out in a letter to show Lemon's sister what a true friend her brother was. The fact that there was no reply only deepened the pain and sadness for Kiley. Although this story may not have been true, the sense of loneliness, depression, and pain of missing home was evident in all the stories throughout the book. Once they were over in Vietnam, those young boys were now men. Their lives will be affected forever.
The character that I did not like was Azar. He was mean, cruel, and stupid. His actions portrayed may have been in response to all the emotions going on. The way he tortured the Vietnamese people, and made fun of the girl dancing. He seemed destructive; however, as discussed in class, he may not have been that way before the war. To harm anything because your are bored or depressed, is just plain sick. Azar definitely had issues.
The character that I did not like was Azar. He was mean, cruel, and stupid. His actions portrayed may have been in response to all the emotions going on. The way he tortured the Vietnamese people, and made fun of the girl dancing. He seemed destructive; however, as discussed in class, he may not have been that way before the war. To harm anything because your are bored or depressed, is just plain sick. Azar definitely had issues.
"Based on a true story"
A white family adopts a homeless black kid, Mike. The Tuohy family provides him shelter, food, clothes, and tutoring. This family sees to it that Mike gets his grades up so that he may play sports. The Tuohy family persuades Mike to succeed. Now Mike, through all the love and support from the Tuohy family, is a right tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.
I have not personally seen this move; however, I have read the book. It makes you feel good to read or see this act of kindness from a stranger; how this love and compassion positively affected the life of someone not so fortunate.
I believe this would have been a good story even if it had not been "based on a true story". This positive attitude toward complete strangers is what we all should possess. Although not everyone can be saved, the simple act of love and kindness is rewarding. To not care what others think, because of skin color or ethnicity, and to turn someones life around for the good, that is awesome. The fact that this story is true, makes it even more powerful. There are good people left in the world. There is a special place in heaven for this family.
I have not personally seen this move; however, I have read the book. It makes you feel good to read or see this act of kindness from a stranger; how this love and compassion positively affected the life of someone not so fortunate.
I believe this would have been a good story even if it had not been "based on a true story". This positive attitude toward complete strangers is what we all should possess. Although not everyone can be saved, the simple act of love and kindness is rewarding. To not care what others think, because of skin color or ethnicity, and to turn someones life around for the good, that is awesome. The fact that this story is true, makes it even more powerful. There are good people left in the world. There is a special place in heaven for this family.
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