The Man I Killed by Tim O'Brien

In every American war combined, about 1.2 million soldiers have died fighting in battle. Many look past the effects and consequences that going to war can lead to and every soldier is assumed to be a hero. Others believe that killing anybody, whether they are innocent or on a battlefield, is in no way honorable. Writers who protest war use imagery, irony, and structure to explain the negative effects of battle.

The author, Tim O'Brien, is writing about an experience of a tour in the Vietnam conflict. This short story deals with inner conflicts of some individual soldiers and how they chose to deal with the realities of the Vietnam conflict, each in their own individual way as men, as soldiers.

From prehistory to 21st century, violence and warfare permeate human existence. Tribes, cities, and nations have pitted their youth against one another in hopes improving their position. However, these Soldiers regularly fall short of maximizing their killing potential. In the book On Killing, Dave Grossman scrupulously examines war throughout recent history; specifically the human element in killing. His thorough assessment of the psychological factors associated with homicide is vitally important to individuals who wish to successfully lead their Soldiers during and after combat. Its ultimate value clearly visible in light of four major facets: the background of the writer, the general points of the book, analysis of essential concepts, and the insight provided.

Tim O' Brien, a fighter affected by the trauma Vietnam War held, divulge on his participations when his daughter asks herself if he has ever taken a man’s life. At nine years old, nearly 20 years after the Vietnam War is over, Kathleen asks her father a question. Has he ever killed someone, she wants to know. O’Brien decides to tell her that he has not killed a man. It felt like the “right thing to do”; he thinks when she is a little older she will understand better. Maybe then O’Brien will tell her about the slender young man who still consumes him, whom he still ponders about when reading the newspaper.

Wars are often glorified in tone to give praise and respect for those on the battlefields. There is an overall understanding that there are sacrifices needed in order to accomplish a larger goal. Excluded from this understanding is the realization that the effects of war

Tim O’Brien’s book “The Things They Carried” epitomizes the degradation of morals that war produces. This interpretation is personified in the characters who gradually blur the line dividing right and wrong as the motives for war itself become unclear. The morality of soldiers and the purpose of war are tied also to the truth the soldiers must tell themselves in order to participate in the gruesome and random killing which is falsely justified by the U.S government. The lack of purpose in the Vietnam War permanently altered the soldier’s perspective of how to react to situations and in most cases they turned to violence to express their frustration.

Contradiction in the mind, we struggle between decisions. Whether it is correct or not, it leaves an indelible memory. In Tim O'Brien's confessional writing, Ambush, he creates a flashback and recalls his memory in Vietnam. With detail descriptions, Tim O'Brien expresses his guilt towards killing an innocent young man. Furthermore, reinforcing his opposition against war with the writing.

The idea of war has been around for centuries and yet humanity is still doubtful as to what causes us to be so engaged in war. Could it possibly have anything to do with the feelings and emotions that come along when dealing with an actual war? In “The Ecstasy of War”, Barbara Ehreneich argues that war brings such powerful and uplifting feeling that it seems to resemble a religious experience. War exposes a lot about human nature and why despite the destruction caused by war, we still manage to participate. It is important to understand the origins by acknowledging the repetitive and compulsive behavior that arises in human beings at war. By changing the perspective on war, humanity can begin to take the first step to freedom. I will examine

The novel “Killing Mr. Griffin” is about a group of high school students from Del Norte High who decide to scare their strict English teacher but ends up in a suspenseful accident. Mr. Griffin is probably one of the strictest teachers ever. He won’t accept anything late, not even from the class president Dave Rutters; he won’t help Betsy Cline when she doesn’t understand an assignment; and Mark Kinney had to beg for a second chance in his class. When Mark’s best friend Jeff makes a careless comment about wanting to kill Mr. Griffin, he begins to make a plan to scare him.

Tim O' Brien, a soldier affected by the Vietnam War, reflects on his experiences when his daughter asks herself if he has ever taken a life. When she is nine years old, nearly 20 years after the Vietnam War is over, Kathleen asks her a question. Has he ever killed someone, she wants to know. O’Brien decides to tell her that he hasn’t. It felt like the “right thing to do”; he thinks when she is a grown-up she will understand better. Maybe then O’Brien will tell her about the slim young man who still obsesses him, whom he still thinks about when reading the newspaper.

As long as man has had the ability to think for himself, there has been conflict and war. Wars are waged by the rich and powerful, but fought by the poor masses who march, inexorably into the meat grinder. The question of “why do soldiers fight?” arises when looking at the study of warfare. What compelled the hoplite from Sparta, the foot soldier in Napoleon’s Grand Army, the American Infantryman on Omaha Beach, or the Army Ranger in Baghdad to willingly enlist and fight for their cause? The most devastating war in American history was by far the Civil War, claiming more American lives in four years than all other American wars (except World War I and II) combined. What is it that made these

The Night Stalker. Ted Bundy. The Green River Killer. These are some of the many notorious killers that put the nation into a panic. With the help of forensic science these men were apprehended and brought to justice. The enigma of catching a killer has always amazed me. Killers like the ones mentioned where like characters from a prime time television drama. Dramas like Bones, NCIS, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation showcases the techniques that are used to catch the “bad guys”. Forensic science has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl watching Forensic Files with my father. He would teach me how the police would catch these men that seemed unstoppable but I saw how much more there is to it. The science behind catching a murderous

War is cruel. The Vietnam War, which lasted for 21 years from 1954 to 1975, was a horrific and tragic event in human history. The Second World War was as frightening and tragic even though it lasted for only 6 years from 1939 to 1945 comparing with the longer-lasting war in Vietnam. During both wars, thousands of millions of soldiers and civilians had been killed. Especially during the Second World War, numerous innocent people were sent into concentration camps, or some places as internment camps for no specific reasons told. Some of these people came out sound after the war, but others were never heard of again. After both wars, people that were alive experienced not only the physical damages, but also the psychic trauma by seeing the

The sounds of gunfire quickly drowned out all else as the rebel forces engaged the army. Sprinting, standing, crouching, or lying down, the soldiers focused solely on one thing: killing their enemies. With an assortment of weapons and under the influence of drugs, they carried out their jobs with ruthless efficiency. They spared no one because each side believed the other to be monsters. Kill after kill with blood on their hands, the soldiers fought on, driven by their desire for revenge and justice. To them, they were doing their country a favor, by liberating it or by protecting it. They cared not for who they had to strike down. For the hardened soldiers, remorse and guilt were long forgotten emotions. As the battle came to a conclusion, the rest of the army fled for their lives while the rebels celebrated, did drugs, and raided dead bodies. As the sun faded to darkness, the soldiers readied themselves for another day of marching and fighting. After all, this was just another typical day in their lives. However, for a large portion of the soldiers their lives had not yet reached sixteen years. They had lost their family and their innocence. They were only boys. They were children.

There has never been a war where no one was killed. From the beginning, man has always been engaged in hostilities. Suffering and losses become a daily part of life in the front lines. Soldiers are reduced to expendable objects and losing dignity is present in every soul. There are no substitutes to the pains that war creates. How does one