In this chapter, O’Brien is conflicted between not knowing the true purpose of fighting in the Vietnam War, and feeling like he needs to meet the expectations of others by being loyal to his country. He does not want to be ridiculed by his friends and family for running away from his responsibilities if he goes to Canada. At the same time, he thinks that our country should not go to war without clear reasons why they are fighting. This is the main conflict of the chapter and ends with him eventually going back to face the war, thinking he is a coward for not going through with his plans of leaving.
This conflict is represented in Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, when the 13 colonies of the United States, felt they needed a separation from British rule. As they created this document, they …show more content…
This is very similar to O’Brian’s concern that the town will ridicule him for leaving his responsibility. In writing the Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers were also pressured by other countries, mainly Great Britain, who wanted the colonies to stay under its power, and be subservient. Like O’Brien’s situation, there were even people in the United States who did not want to fight England, and preferred to stay under the king’s