Fear Drive My Feet Analysis

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Peter Ryan recounts his unique story about living and exercising reconnaissance missions on the island of New Guinea in his personal memoir Fear Drive My Feet. Always fearing Japanese attack, Ryan had to tread carefully while gathering intelligence and interacting with the native peoples of New Guinea. While on the island, Ryan was given a variety of different tasks including, delivering messages, communicating with the locals, and commenting on Japanese movements. Fear Drive My Feet is a war story unlike any other. Peter Ryan’s unique point of view and distinct bias provides insight into a commonly untold war story that is filled with remarkable historical value. Fear Drive My Feet offers the point of view of a young man who voluntarily joined the army, and then was thrown into a position that was impossible to …show more content…
Ryan describes how he was rejected by the men stationed at the base and was generally given the worst food and other goods available (Ryan 170). With the rejection he faced, Ryan developed a negative view towards the soldiers who spent most of their time in the base. He aligned much more with the soldiers who were out in the frontlines fighting and developing comradery. The rejection of some soldiers is a story that is not rarely told and shows a unique feature of Fear Drive My Feet as a primary source.
Physical and mental health is another topic that Ryan delves into, especially the health of himself and his fellow soldiers. Countless times, the various diseases of the jungle take their toll on the soldiers. One specific instance was when Ryan and his men were leaving their base and returning to Bob’s. Vomiting and growing weary, the native people and Ryan’s men were forced to carry him and their supplies (Ryan 161). The diseases in the jungle were severe and could start taking effect out of

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