In “The Man I Killed” Tim, the narrator, who is also the protagonist is under attack by the guilt associated with taking a human life. Tim doesn’t use the first person but instead we are given a sneak peek into guilt and confusion that go hand in hand with taking a life. Now he’s locked in; he creates an entire life for the victim, creating a fictional account on his views of war, early child hood, and his family. The Guilt continues to eat at him though no words come out, the fire of guilt fueled by the repetition of ideas and observations. “He had boney legs and a narrow waist, long shapely fingers, a scholar maybe, no stomach for violence. (980)” Tim continues to observe the body inch by inch, yet he is unable to bring himself to speak.
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There is no gift greater than the gift of life. How can someone live with himself after sealing ones’ coffin forever? Tim is able to convey different solders reactions of killing through imagery and metaphors. Two fellow solders work to get Tim to forgive himself. Azar begins to congratulate him. “You fuckin’ trashed the fucker, you scrambled his sorry self, Like oatmeal and Rice Krispies” (980). It’s easy to see that he dehumanizes the enemy in order to do his job. He completely ignores the fact they’re human and compares the enemy to a bowl of cereal to mask his pain. It’s much easier to smoosh a bowl of oatmeal than it is a little boy, but holding onto your guilt is a ticking time bomb. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a “lasting consequence of traumatic ordeals that cause intense fear, helplessness, or horror”(Goldberg). PTSD can begin right after the traumatic event or it could be years later that an individual begins feeling symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Although many people believe PTSD only effects the person who experiences the traumatic event, in fact family members and friends are also effected after their love one’s get diagnosed. Many men
There is no gift greater than the gift of life. How can someone live with himself after sealing ones’ coffin forever? Tim is able to convey different solders reactions of killing through imagery and metaphors. Two fellow solders work to get Tim to forgive himself. Azar begins to congratulate him. “You fuckin’ trashed the fucker, you scrambled his sorry self, Like oatmeal and Rice Krispies” (980). It’s easy to see that he dehumanizes the enemy in order to do his job. He completely ignores the fact they’re human and compares the enemy to a bowl of cereal to mask his pain. It’s much easier to smoosh a bowl of oatmeal than it is a little boy, but holding onto your guilt is a ticking time bomb. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a “lasting consequence of traumatic ordeals that cause intense fear, helplessness, or horror”(Goldberg). PTSD can begin right after the traumatic event or it could be years later that an individual begins feeling symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Although many people believe PTSD only effects the person who experiences the traumatic event, in fact family members and friends are also effected after their love one’s get diagnosed. Many men