Here O’Brien very thoroughly describes this idea that the dead are brought back to life through stories to cope with the harsh reality and feel as if the dead are still around in their minds/stories. Whether the stories are exaggerated or all out false, the idea of remembrance slightly washes away reality as the dead are brought back to life. This again shows the paradox in of itself and how this whole concept seems absurd, yet makes sense as it is used and done by many people in and outside the war leading to the connection to O’Brien’s first love, Linda. He connects this concept to his past memory of his beloved Linda, who passes away at the age of nine, as he remembers her through stories to bring her back to life and be able to cope with the reality of her death. “Lying in bed at night, I made up elaborate stories to bring Linda alive in my sleep. I invented my own dreams… My dreams had become a secret meeting place, and in the weeks after she died I couldn’t wait to fall asleep at night. I began going to bed earlier and earlier, sometimes even in broad
Here O’Brien very thoroughly describes this idea that the dead are brought back to life through stories to cope with the harsh reality and feel as if the dead are still around in their minds/stories. Whether the stories are exaggerated or all out false, the idea of remembrance slightly washes away reality as the dead are brought back to life. This again shows the paradox in of itself and how this whole concept seems absurd, yet makes sense as it is used and done by many people in and outside the war leading to the connection to O’Brien’s first love, Linda. He connects this concept to his past memory of his beloved Linda, who passes away at the age of nine, as he remembers her through stories to bring her back to life and be able to cope with the reality of her death. “Lying in bed at night, I made up elaborate stories to bring Linda alive in my sleep. I invented my own dreams… My dreams had become a secret meeting place, and in the weeks after she died I couldn’t wait to fall asleep at night. I began going to bed earlier and earlier, sometimes even in broad