Terror in Tim O´Brien´s on the Rainy River - 1058 Words

â€Å"How many years can some people exist before theyre allowed to be free...How many times can a man turn his head pretending he just doesnt see?† The lyrics of Blowin’ in the Wind strike the painful feeling when our dignity is smothered by unbearable fear. In the short story â€Å"On the Rainy River†, Tim O’Brien explores the idea that we cannot follow our heart in the face of terror. Through his experiences, O’Brien suggests that when our insecurity clashes with our self-respect, our moral conscience is often torn into pieces until we are left with no choice but to accept the ruthless reality with a desperate heart. A society, a place, an attitude, an expectation---all of these contribute to a character’s response to threatening forces. Tim’s†¦show more content†¦At night, Tim tosses and turns in bed, half awake and half dreaming. The anguish of moral split is impossible to overcome. Elroy remains indifferent, yet feels sympathetic towards â€Å"a kid in trouble†. His â€Å"silence and watchful presence† gives Tim hope. Elroy helps Tim to open his paralyzed heart and discover his self-respect. He tells him â€Å"there is Jesus†. With Elroy by Tim’s side, he must soon face the inevitability between his dignity and insecurity. In life, every action precipitates a reaction, and facing challenge become significant. On the sixth day, Elroy take Tim on the Rainy River to fish, which becomes instrumental to guide Tim to his epiphany. When he is â€Å"on the margin of exile†, the collision of self-respect and insecurity aggravates. On the bow, Tim listens to the treacherous waves hitting the boat and feels the brisk wind pounding his face. The sound of silence coerces him into making a decision. There is a â€Å"hard squeezing pressure in [his] chest†. He is terrified. He does not know what to think. I do not want to leave my family and my childhood and my dreams and all I have behind! I am not ready to die! What am I suppose to do? Jump? Or stay? He tries to swallow his tears; instead one runs down his face after another. The safe haven---Canada reaches out a helping hand and pleads, â€Å"You must jump! At least you get to live a normal life!† He grips on the edge of the boat, leans forwar d, ready to jump overboard; a force is dragging himShow MoreRelatedThe Things They Carried By Tim O Brien1459 Words   |  6 PagesDuring the mid 1950’s, the Vietnam War turned to be the modern pinnacle for battles resulting in the deaths of 58,000 American soldiers and millions of Vietnamese death. It saw the viable destruction of modern technology such as the newly fashioned M-16 rifle and the Apache, a helicopter made for mass destruction. For the soldiers experiencing Vietnam, it was truly an experience which would shape their hearts and minds forever. As evidenced in Tim O’ Brien’s The Things They Carried, The Vietnam