Tim OBrien's "On the Rainy River" - Chapter Analysis
by
lizarrdo (student)
On the Rainy River
Emotion plays a big role in this Chapter, as Tim O’Brien illustrates his ambivalence towards participating in the Vietnam War when he is presented with a draft notice to fight. O’Brien explains how when he first received the letter he felt that he was too good to fight, but was constantly pressured by society to go. Because of this, O’Brien tries to resist making the decision between going to war or fleeing. He drives aimlessly around town at night, feeling sorry for himself, and trying to find an easy way out of the dilemma he’s in. Finally, he seriously starts considering fleeing to Canada. However, he worries that this action will cause him to lose face. “It was a kind of schizophrenia. A moral split. I couldn’t make up my mind. I feared the war, yes, but I also feared exile…I feared losing the respect of my parents. I feared the law. I feared ridicule and censure…it was easy to imagine people sitting around a table…coffee cups poised, the conversation slowly zeroing in on the young O’Brien kid, how the damned sissy had taken off for Canada.” (45) When Elroy takes O’Brien out to the middle of the river in the boat, O’Brien has an emotional breakdown and bursts out crying. It is here that O’Brien finally concludes that he will go to war because of the fact that he is too embarrassed not to.
