Analysis Of Interpreting The Denial Syndrome, By Tim O Brien

Returning home, O’Brien faces an America with a new identity, one draped in denial. As soon as he boards the plane, he instantly encounters the effects of war on America. The civilian stewardess, like the public, is in denial about Vietnam, and neither wants to be afflicted by the gruesome war. O’Brien takes an interest in the stewardess, stating “ The stewardess, her carefree smile and boredom flickering like bad lighting, doesn’t understand. It’s enraging, because you sense she doesn’t want to understand”(If I Die 203). A quote from H. Bruce Franklin's paper entitled “Kicking the Denial Syndrome”,where he explores the use of denial in O'Brien's novels, accurately sums up this encounter “The various forms of denial of the Vietnam War ... in American politics, psychology, and culture” (2). …show more content…
As the plane lands, O’Brien takes off his uniform and puts on civilian clothes. O’Brien describes the removal of his uniform “You take off your uniform. You roll it into a ball and stuff it into your suitcase and put on a sweater and blue jeans...You grin, beginning to know you’re happy”(If I Die 209). By removing his uniform, he is trying to separate himself physically and mentally from the war, denying that he ever served. The fact that he is happy means he knows his war is finally over and he hopes he never has to think about it again. Another character of Tim O’Brien’s, John Wade from The Lake of the Woods, also suffers from denial throughout his