"Rainy River Literary Analysis".
The short story, "On the Rainy River", written by Tim O'Brien, presents behaviors where the main character acts in a fainthearted and fearful manner. Tim, the main character, is consistently blaming other individuals for his mistakes and he frequently makes irrelevant excuses in order for him to access what he desires. Being courageous is the most important trait a young person can develop and Tim does not attain that mannerism. Through several occurrences where Tim believes to be under crushing stress, he proves by the way he manipulates the situations that he can't handle being a person of courage. He labels himself a coward (O'Brien 9).
On any occasion where a conflict rises, Tim continually reverses the accusation by making an excuse in an attempt to cover up his true colors of cowardice. Tim inputs, "The sight of blood makes me queasy, and I couldn't tolerate authority, and I didn't know a rifle from a slingshot" (2). This excerpt from the story clarifies the ability that Tim withholds to be completely irrational. He, in a very immature and childish manner, tries to explain how he just can't possibly be a soldier. The ingredient that finalizes his stupidity is the part where he states that he can't tell the difference from a rifle or slingshot (2). Tim exemplifies himself as a coward once again by explaining, ". when a nation was justified in using military force to achieve its ends, to stop a Hitler or some comparable evil, and I told myself that in such circumstances I would've willingly marched off to battle" (3). It is obvious that Tim does not know much about the war he is being drafted in because the reason why the United States is going to war with Vietnam is because there is a communist who is trying to take over a free, democratic-based country, known as South Vietnam. Tim says that he would've willingly marched off to war if it were a situation of Hitler or some comparable evil, but what he doesn't realize is that the war in Vietnam is indeed a comparable evil! (3) Tim mixes up the way he makes excuses.
