#6

"On the Rainy River"

- Tim O'Brien only goes to the war because he doesn't want to embarass himself or bring shame onto his family. He is prepared to dodge the draft, but can't make the plunge because his ego gets in the way.

- O'Brien seems very young in this story, a youthful innocence is exuberated by him. A college graduate with a new opinion of the world and now its about to get turned upside down.

-Tim can't make the important decisions by himself or at least without someone pushing him towards a decision. The old man makes Tim make a decision by bringing him closer to the Canadien border. Tim has be pointed in a direction by someone other than himself.

"The Ghost Soldiers"

-Vietnam settles him down into the person that he should naturally be if he had believed in his own decision making at home. Being in this place made him grow up very quickly.

-O'Brien seems to become numb to all emotions. He isnt scared or proud or anything. He is just plodding through an existence he did not choose.

-Tim O'Brien has become acclimated to the warzone and the death and destruction that human beings cause. He also experiences the bonds of brotherhood with his platoon. War brings friends closer and enemies further apart.