Escape of the Unknown . What is Tim's Fear ? And how is he remains / remained cowardice ? In O'Brien's story " On the Rainey River " he's conflicted by his own morals ; having to decide between going to war or running away . It was confusing with Tim why he'd been selected ; although he hated war , camping , and distaste for seeing blood (pg.38 ) . He felt as if his scholastic achievements made him overly qualified to have to go to war . As he'd just received a full scholarship to graduate school at Harvard University . June 1968 , one month after graduating from Macalester College ; Tim received a draft slip to fight in the Vietnam war . He was just twenty-one years of age he felt as if it wasn't s a mistake to have been selected . Once he receives the slip O'brien is thrown into what he calls " moral confusion " (44 ) , as he considers the fight or flight option .
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Tim had decided prior to being drafted that he'd take time for / of from school and work , and continue school later . Where in comes the conflict as he is now expected to fight in Vietnam for his country . The draft is backed by the government making it a social obligation (legal obligation ) , due to jail time for avoidance . After this life changing event Tim tries constantly to figure a way out of going . He then goes and works at a meat packaging plant ; which is where he'd reach his breaking point . This breaking point is symbolized by the " chest rupture " (pg.44 ) he'd experienced while working . Tim reacts by taking a drive along Rainey River . which separates Minnesota from Canada . In doing so is where he comes across the Tip-Top Lodge , where he then meets Elroy ; whom provided Tim with a free open environment . Tim had spent six days in the lodge with just Elroy ; whom from the first day had knowledge of why Tim was there , but never asked him why
Tim had decided prior to being drafted that he'd take time for / of from school and work , and continue school later . Where in comes the conflict as he is now expected to fight in Vietnam for his country . The draft is backed by the government making it a social obligation (legal obligation ) , due to jail time for avoidance . After this life changing event Tim tries constantly to figure a way out of going . He then goes and works at a meat packaging plant ; which is where he'd reach his breaking point . This breaking point is symbolized by the " chest rupture " (pg.44 ) he'd experienced while working . Tim reacts by taking a drive along Rainey River . which separates Minnesota from Canada . In doing so is where he comes across the Tip-Top Lodge , where he then meets Elroy ; whom provided Tim with a free open environment . Tim had spent six days in the lodge with just Elroy ; whom from the first day had knowledge of why Tim was there , but never asked him why