From November 1955 to April 1975, Americans at war faced harsh conditions and learned what defeat felt like. The dreadful Vietnam War brought many tragedies and horrifying memories to both soldiers and Americans at home. Both “I am the Grass,” a short story where a man loses himself and tries to fix it, and “How to Tell a True War Story,” a short story about a man who talks about his friend's death, are complex war stories written by two American soldiers. These two authors use different rhetorical strategies to justify their perspective of the Vietnam war.
The story “I am the Grass” is from a infitailary soldier’s point of view. He explains just how appalling and poignant the Vietnam War was. Preforming many dreadful actions, Walker will never forget them, nor will ever forgive himself for doing them. In the severe conditions, what he once did seemed like the right decision. All the times he raped young girls, decapitated and held Mens heads, or even shot at birds, he was not in the right state of mind. …show more content…
By comparing himself to Job, a biblical character, Walker seems to come across well spoken. Saying he is like Job is an insult to himself, but like Job, Walker cannot save himself. Walker did an excellent job at comparing himself to Job, because no matter what Walker does, his guilt will live with him forever. He made this comparison for the sake of the reader to fully understand the idea of him trying, but failing.
Just like Walker, O’Brien, the author of “How to Tell a True War Story,” also uses symbolism in his story. O’Brien places an excerpt of the national anthem in his story. O’Brien embeds the words “rockets red glare,” by placing them in a spot where one might never notice. Being that the entire story is about the war, when he places this certain phrase it makes the story even more patriotic. Although war may seem patriotic, tragedies such as death come along with
The story “I am the Grass” is from a infitailary soldier’s point of view. He explains just how appalling and poignant the Vietnam War was. Preforming many dreadful actions, Walker will never forget them, nor will ever forgive himself for doing them. In the severe conditions, what he once did seemed like the right decision. All the times he raped young girls, decapitated and held Mens heads, or even shot at birds, he was not in the right state of mind. …show more content…
By comparing himself to Job, a biblical character, Walker seems to come across well spoken. Saying he is like Job is an insult to himself, but like Job, Walker cannot save himself. Walker did an excellent job at comparing himself to Job, because no matter what Walker does, his guilt will live with him forever. He made this comparison for the sake of the reader to fully understand the idea of him trying, but failing.
Just like Walker, O’Brien, the author of “How to Tell a True War Story,” also uses symbolism in his story. O’Brien places an excerpt of the national anthem in his story. O’Brien embeds the words “rockets red glare,” by placing them in a spot where one might never notice. Being that the entire story is about the war, when he places this certain phrase it makes the story even more patriotic. Although war may seem patriotic, tragedies such as death come along with