Being in a position of utmost agony typically allows a person to find satisfaction in the most mild of activities. Such agonizing events appear in Leo Thorsness’ book, Surviving Hell. This novel is a self-reflection of the time of the time Leo Thorsness and his fellow POWs began to expand their capabilities as prisoners through exemplifying patriotism, continuing cultural traditions, and keeping a positive and hopeful mindset. In the book Surviving Hell by Leo Thorsness, he and other POWs thrive off of miniscule enterprises through keeping an optimistic outlook despite being prisoners in Vietnam. Since a majority of a POW’s time was spent sitting in a large jail cell, the prisoners had a lot of time to talk to each other. Many POWs often
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One day, Mike found a dirty handkerchief in the gutter which gave him the idea to make an American flag. The POWs knew that any item beyond what they had been given as prisoners would result in a torture session, but that didn’t stop Mike. The rest of the POWs donated what little soap they had in order to contribute to Mike’s end goal. Mike scavenged to compile a small amount of items which allowed him to finish his makeshift American Flag. Upon, completion Mike awoke every POW to wave his flag in a nationalistic manner, inspiring the men to continue their hardships and work through the painful life as a prisoner of war. When mike displayed his flag the other prisoners “automatically came to attention and saluted” (Thorsness, 108) and some of them even began to cry. Mike’s flag showed bravery, patriotism, and courage, allowing his fellow POWs to prosper through his nationalistic values. His desire to construct the flag reignited the dimly lit hope that remained in the POWs, allowing them to thrive in a time of weakness. In the novel Surviving Hell by Leo Thorsness, the author alongside other POWs were able to flourish from the most basic of activities despite being prisoners in Vietnam. Mike Christian played a large role through his creation of the “top ten” lists, Christmas tree, and American flag. Together the men showed that they were able to find happiness from
One day, Mike found a dirty handkerchief in the gutter which gave him the idea to make an American flag. The POWs knew that any item beyond what they had been given as prisoners would result in a torture session, but that didn’t stop Mike. The rest of the POWs donated what little soap they had in order to contribute to Mike’s end goal. Mike scavenged to compile a small amount of items which allowed him to finish his makeshift American Flag. Upon, completion Mike awoke every POW to wave his flag in a nationalistic manner, inspiring the men to continue their hardships and work through the painful life as a prisoner of war. When mike displayed his flag the other prisoners “automatically came to attention and saluted” (Thorsness, 108) and some of them even began to cry. Mike’s flag showed bravery, patriotism, and courage, allowing his fellow POWs to prosper through his nationalistic values. His desire to construct the flag reignited the dimly lit hope that remained in the POWs, allowing them to thrive in a time of weakness. In the novel Surviving Hell by Leo Thorsness, the author alongside other POWs were able to flourish from the most basic of activities despite being prisoners in Vietnam. Mike Christian played a large role through his creation of the “top ten” lists, Christmas tree, and American flag. Together the men showed that they were able to find happiness from