Idealism is the pursuit of noble principles in life; it helps define individuals actions and gives them reason to believe in something. Idealism can help them face truth in their life. Tim O’Brien addresses in his short story “On the Rainy River” the significance of idealism and truth an individuals life though his character Tim. Tim faces the clashing of idealisms and realizes the importance of truth in ones life. When an individual is put in a situation, they must focus on the how they can maintain idealism and truth in their life. They may look at different idealisms, focus on preserving their idealisms, and they may succumb to the pressure of other idealisms and truths. As a result they may come to regret, and learn the significance of
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He considered different ways to handle to situation in order to maintain truth in his life. When the realization that he is going to a war that he disagrees with, he soon comprehends that participating in the act is not true to him. From this, Tim becomes unaware and lost when he is forced in a crisis where he must chose between his or another individuals idealisms, however both bring negatives that could be life altering. “I felt paralyzed. All around me the options seemed to be narrowing, as if I were hurtling down a huge black funnel, the whole world squeezing in tight. There was no happy was out.” (O’Brien 2) As an individual grows up, they learn more about themselves. Whether it is about what they like and dislike, but what is engraved in their brain are idealisms. These idealisms become so crucial in an individuals character, that it becomes difficult to break them. Tim O’Brien is forced into a situation where he is drafted to break his idealisms. This becomes a hard situation where he no longer knows how to keep truth in his life. As Tim continues to think outside the box to evade going against his idealisms, he comes across the idea where he would be able to remain true to himself however it comes with a risky price. At some point in mid-July I began thinking seriously about Canada. The border lay a few hundred miles north, an eight-hour drive. Both my conscience and my instincts were telling me to make a break for it, just take off and run like hell and never stop.” (O’Brien 2) The idea of leaving the U.S to go to Canada to avoid the draft that he received to go to Vietnam, Tim finds this to be appealing. The idea of rebelling in order to remain faithful to his views and idealities is an appealing idea that he comes across. He recognizes that his life would change drastically and that the stakes are high if he gets caught, however at this point he does not care,
He considered different ways to handle to situation in order to maintain truth in his life. When the realization that he is going to a war that he disagrees with, he soon comprehends that participating in the act is not true to him. From this, Tim becomes unaware and lost when he is forced in a crisis where he must chose between his or another individuals idealisms, however both bring negatives that could be life altering. “I felt paralyzed. All around me the options seemed to be narrowing, as if I were hurtling down a huge black funnel, the whole world squeezing in tight. There was no happy was out.” (O’Brien 2) As an individual grows up, they learn more about themselves. Whether it is about what they like and dislike, but what is engraved in their brain are idealisms. These idealisms become so crucial in an individuals character, that it becomes difficult to break them. Tim O’Brien is forced into a situation where he is drafted to break his idealisms. This becomes a hard situation where he no longer knows how to keep truth in his life. As Tim continues to think outside the box to evade going against his idealisms, he comes across the idea where he would be able to remain true to himself however it comes with a risky price. At some point in mid-July I began thinking seriously about Canada. The border lay a few hundred miles north, an eight-hour drive. Both my conscience and my instincts were telling me to make a break for it, just take off and run like hell and never stop.” (O’Brien 2) The idea of leaving the U.S to go to Canada to avoid the draft that he received to go to Vietnam, Tim finds this to be appealing. The idea of rebelling in order to remain faithful to his views and idealities is an appealing idea that he comes across. He recognizes that his life would change drastically and that the stakes are high if he gets caught, however at this point he does not care,