Author Tim O’Brien fictionalized himself in a short story called “On the Rainy River” which shows the battle that frequently occurred to a recipient of the draft notice as the war dragged on. In this story, there are many connotations to war and the American soldier persona. Tim battles with a difficult decision that was not uncommon during the late sixties and early seventies. In O’Brien’s short story, Canada was the land of the free, since military duty is optional, and home of the cowards, a description used by many Americans for those who fled from their duties. Often from their fear of such “cowardice”, young men went to boot camp and became soldiers in the Vietnam War.…
On April 22, 1971 at the Fulbright Hearings, John Kerry delivered his speech, “Statement Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee”, in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Vietnam War veterans while they were all attending a meeting to discuss about the Vietnam. His motive was to bring awareness to what took place in Vietnam, to bring a close to the war, and inform what American soldiers who came back to the U.S. experienced. He accomplished this goal through a calm, formal tone with the use of rhetorical devices such as repetition and metaphors. John Kerry used specific rhetorical devices to enhance the potency of his argument. He starts off by stating that he is not there as John Kerry, but as a representation of the…
Jared Korotzer Professor Grady Writing 1 31 October 2014 For School In John Taylor Gatto’s essay, “Against School,” Gatto draws on his extensive experience as a teacher to argue that the American public education system does not exist to make students their personal best, but rather aims to create a large, manipulable work force incapable of challenging its government. This, he argues, is achieved by forcing authority on students from a young age, and then proceeding to breed each student for his or her specific role in society. While “Against School” does present an intriguing view of the modern education system, Gatto severely underestimates the value of the academic and social skills students learn by attending school.…
The year is 1968, and the Vietnam War is already 14 years underway. There is not a volunteer army, so the Selective Service System sends out a draft notice to all eligible males between the ages of 18 and 26. There were many ways to get out of the draft like having a disability, having a health condition, being a conscientious objector, being a student or choosing to flee to Canada. What would the feelings be of a young man with a bright future who just received a notice? This is what the author Tim O’Brien went through in his autobiographical short story “On the Rainy River”.…
Vietnam and World War II were two of the most dramatic wars that America faced. The way America felt about World War II and Vietnam was a dramatic difference once they were both over. Many Americans had come out of the World War II certain that they had won a good war, but that same was not said about the Vietnam. World War II was the Second World War that was considered the “good war” where involving over 60 different countries and 75 million troops coming from all parts of the world. World War II was a major war that brought about leaps to major technology and post-war social changes.…
: 2 The 1960’s was a decade of revolution and change in politics, music, and society around the world. It was an era of protest. The decade shaped the country and made it how it is today. There were numerous amounts of leaders, presidents, motivators, etc. that changed how the society lived then, and how we now live our day to day lives right this very moment.…
The Vietnam War could not have occurred at a worse time in Unites States. PRior to the war, the long, grueling, and strenuous Civil Rights Movement resulted in an “unofficial official” divide within the country. As far back as JFK, U.S. interest in Vietnam was made evident. JFK adopted Eisenhower 's fostered idea of the “Domino Theory”. JFK wanted to prevent the South Vietnamese from spreading Communism throughout the rest of the country.…
“But now I do have that chance -- and I’ll let you in on a secret -- I mean to use it. And I hope that you will use it with me.” (Lyndon Johnson). On March 15, 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson, the president at the time, gave a riveting speech to congress and to the American people to try to quell the violent demonstrations for racial equality and establish equal voting rights for all. Throughout his speech, “We Shall Overcome”, Mr. Johnson used a wide variety of persuasive techniques to ensure the success of the speech.…
First of all, the outrageous criteria to be eligible to vote here in the United States is undoubtedly preposterous. To vote, you first have to be 18 years or older ("What Are the Requirements to Be Eligible to Vote in Federal Elections?"). While this may seem justified, many people eager to vote are being withheld from doing so because of this age requirement. Voting shouldn’t be off limits to someone because of their age! Instead, the age requirement should be lowered significantly in order to allow more freedom for a surplus of citizens.…
It is easy to believe that attaining peace in this world where violence and wars are so apparent is getting much harder. Perhaps to the point in which it is verging on the impossible. ‘Eve of Destruction’ expresses a strong but heartfelt warning towards how our hypocrisy as a society is edging us closer to our own demise . The writer, P.F Slogan, addresses both the solider and society singing about being on the ‘eve of destruction’. He wrote, “You’re old enough to kill but not for voting”, “you don’t believe in war, then what’s that gun your totin.”…
The Burdens of the Battlefield “They carried all the emotional baggage of men who might die. Grief, terror, love, longing- these were intangibles, but the intangibles had their own mass and specific gravity, they had tangible weight” (O’Brein, 20). The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien is a collection of stories from the Vietnam war. The stories in the novel range from harsh and violent to deep and emotionally resonating.…
In the 1960s, the Vietnam War pressured the American society and culture into the anti-war movement. A new culture was founded to protest against the entrance of the war. Through the eyes of a drafted man, a passionate protester and a political author, the audience learns different responses to the movement. Their contrasting expressions of the spirit of the time provokes a similar message together. David Lance Goines, Ann Charters and Susan Sontag demonstrate their approach to support the anti-war movement through their personal views.…
The 1960 Presidential election was one of the closest elections in history. The two candidates who were striving for the presidency were Vice President Richard M. Nixon and your brother, Sen. John F. Kennedy. This was also a very grueling campaign from the primaries all the way to the November election. Throughout the election season there are many issues that are brought up, both international and domestic issues and issues with each of the candidates. In this memo I will talk about the 1960 election and show you the reasons why John F. Kennedy won and the issues which dominated the campaign.…
Following Kennedy’s assassination, Lyndon Baines Johnson assumed the role of presidency in 1963. During this time, there were little bursts of antiwar sentiment on the political fringes of the United States, but this perspective did not encapsulate the typical American citizen (Morgan 140). Generally, the American imagination of Vietnam was skewed positively. The news was often painted from a positive lens, detailing America’s success and helpfulness in helping South Vietnam gain independence from communism. Coupled with the pressure of assuming presidency after Kennedy’s assassination, he listened intently to Kennedy’s team of technocrats believing that concentrated bursts of violence would quickly resolve the impending nature of North Vietnam’s…
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was one the most beloved presidents of the United States. He was the youngest U.S. president and the first Roman Catholic president. There is much to be said about this man and his legacy. We hear his humility in his inaugural speech and feel the admiration of family and friends shared in Eleanor Clift’s article, “Inside Kennedy’s Inauguration, 50 Years On.” Two different perspectives, yet both reveal the qualities of a man who loved his family, his country and inspired all.…