In the Book How to Read Literature Like a Professor written by Thomas Foster, he establishes the theory that within occurrences in literature like season and disease, some patterns and symbols have deeper meanings when analyzed. The main message behind his writing is to encourage readers (especially young students) to grow their analytical skills as well as strengthen their interpretation of why events happen and the way they do In the chapter, “If She Comes Up, It’s Baptism,” Foster urges readers to look at baptism as a way to symbolize change or development within a character’s storyline. The main idea of “If She Comes Up, It’s Baptism” can be applied to events in The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. The fictional, life-like novel features
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With this, he asks the question: “So, when writers baptize a character they mean death, rebirth, and new identity?” (86). He answers his question with yes, and this can be applied to the characters in The Things They Carried. For example, Norman Bowker is a veteran who finds himself literally going into circles after the war. In the chapter “Speaking of Courage,” we learn about Norman Bowker’s story. His story is told with real and make-believe elements, as O’Brien’s writing utilizes blurring techniques to emphasize how veteran’s stories don’t have to be real to feel real. Norman Bowker physically loops around his hometown’s lake 12 times on the Fourth of July and we see his interactions with other people such as a fast-food worker and an old lover. His actions, such as whispering to himself and daydreaming about telling stories, demonstrate isolationism, regret, and wanting to be heard. At the end of the chapter “Speaking of Courage,” when Norman Bowker is done spiraling around his hometown, “... he got out, walked down to the beach and waded into the lake without undressing.” (148). Here, he is baptizing himself in the lake that he was circling around the whole day. After such a long day and feeling emotionally drained, Norman Bowker stops his flow. He removes himself from the cookie-cutter path and decides for himself where he wants to be and what he wants to do. This can be seen as him taking steps toward
With this, he asks the question: “So, when writers baptize a character they mean death, rebirth, and new identity?” (86). He answers his question with yes, and this can be applied to the characters in The Things They Carried. For example, Norman Bowker is a veteran who finds himself literally going into circles after the war. In the chapter “Speaking of Courage,” we learn about Norman Bowker’s story. His story is told with real and make-believe elements, as O’Brien’s writing utilizes blurring techniques to emphasize how veteran’s stories don’t have to be real to feel real. Norman Bowker physically loops around his hometown’s lake 12 times on the Fourth of July and we see his interactions with other people such as a fast-food worker and an old lover. His actions, such as whispering to himself and daydreaming about telling stories, demonstrate isolationism, regret, and wanting to be heard. At the end of the chapter “Speaking of Courage,” when Norman Bowker is done spiraling around his hometown, “... he got out, walked down to the beach and waded into the lake without undressing.” (148). Here, he is baptizing himself in the lake that he was circling around the whole day. After such a long day and feeling emotionally drained, Norman Bowker stops his flow. He removes himself from the cookie-cutter path and decides for himself where he wants to be and what he wants to do. This can be seen as him taking steps toward