The Things They Carried: Speaking of Courage

     Part of your job as a reader is to understand what the author is trying to say, we learned this early in my English class by thoroughly analyzing 'How To Read Literature Like a Professor'. Writers rarely come out and tell you, “Hey, Reader! THIS is what I want you to GET from my writing.” You, as the reader, must make inferences and draw conclusions about what the author is trying to express. I will be delving into the deeper themes intertwined in the chapter 'Speaking of Courage' while also defining some key terms about the overall theme and pulling out specific areas that were weak and/or strong on the logos/ethos/pathos spectrum.
     Some frequently used examples of literary topics are often times cliche such as, freedom, trust, friendship, or 'Good vs. Evil' but there are many more that accommodate many different types of writings. In the case of 'Speaking of Courage' I would say that a reoccurring topic would be courage, freedom, and/or nostalgia. At times Tim O'Brien's main topic did not confirm or agree with the beliefs of the main character, Norman Bowker. In "Speaking of Courage," the narrator says, "Sometimes the bravest thing on earth was to sit through the night and feel the cold in your bones. Courage was not always a matter of yes or no." By Tim O'Brien making himself the narrator he was only able to depict one perspective and describe what the character could've done because he was not present himself, therefore limiting the theme. The author’s task is to communicate on a common ground with the reader. By Tim O'Brien providing a detailed description of the views that were seen through Norman Bowker's eyes, it makes it seem as though most of the information is fabricated due to the absence of the narrator. Although the particulars of Norman Bowker's experience may be different from the details of the story, the general underlying truths behind the story may be just the connection that the writer was seeking.
I noticed many themes throughout this chapter:
  • Norman Bowker’s relationship and obligation to society("man vs. society"). The soldier’s relationship and obligation to society.
  • Norman Bowker’s journey to understand his identity(future/what do to with himself).
  • Norman's battle with the muck ("man vs. nature" or "survivor").
  • Norman's battle with himself about sharing his experiences (talking to the girl, courage, insecurities)
     In the case of logos, ethos, and pathos this chapter does not do a bad job. Although the perspectives were quite confusing for any reader, the chronological order of the chapter definitely added to the logos aspect with the symbolism of the clockwise motion and the tell of the time based on the sunset. Ethos was also prevalent due to the nature of a soldier and the learned traits it was also shown through the tradition of fireworks and the ongoing daily activities of a small town can be defined as customs. Pathos was a weaker aspect in this chapter due to the lack of emotional appeal, you could really tell how sincere he was every time he re-hashed the story of sleeping in muck (and Kiowa's death of course) but the details changed every time it was told, taking away some credibility. You could also feel some pity for Norman because of his lack of confidence to confront Sally Gustafson [Kramer] and tell her a simple story to relieve himself from his past and the overwhelming emotions when watching the sunset/fireworks. “Bowker represents the paradox between the need for emotional truth and the pain many feel in expressing it.” -Jill Collela

Comments

  1. When I read the chapter, I honestly did not notice some of the points that you brought up in your blog post. For instance, I failed to address the logos, ethos, and pathos of the chapter in my blog. Even though this is the case, I agree with you that the elements of appeal are very well portrayed throughout the chapter. I also found the point that the main literary topic in the chapter is freedom, courage, and nostalgia. These three literary topics can actually be seen throughout the entirety of the novel, which I found intriguing. A major point that you failed to address is the symbolism behind Norman Bowker driving around the lake. It is a major symbol in this chapter because it shows how Vietnam War veterans cannot be reborn or cleansed from their war experiences, and they cannot move forward with their lives. Overall, your post presented unique ideas that are definitely related to the chapter.

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  2. I like the perspective you took on this assignment. The first thing I thought to do when analyzing this chapter was to focus on all the symbolism but I like how you focused on other things we learned this year. Your bullet points that laid out the bone structure of Norman's struggles were really nice. I think one of the main themes of this chapter settled into your bullet point that said he was struggling with what to do with his future. Norman came from the war back to his monotone town and he is stuck between his old memories and the way he must live now. I liked your explanation of logos, ethos, and pathos found in the chapter, I didn't even think about examining that. You could have maybe included some of the main symbolism and elaborated on it, but overall I liked the way you did this assignment.

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  3. It was interesting to see how you pointed out the logos, ethos, and pathos throughout the chapter. Your blog was well written and you made some really good points. I really liked how you acknowledged and listed the themes that you picked up on throughout that chapter.

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  4. Like previous comments have said, I believe you should have mentioned the symbols in the chapter, but I think it was good that you talked about logos, ethos, and pathos, and the themes. So far you are the first blog I've read that has done this. I didn't even think about the themes lol. Good job analyzing, Kal-pal.

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  5. When I read speaking of courage I never thought about the logos, ethos and pathos. Now that you have brought it up I agree what you have for it. Also I didn't realize how Norman could lack confidence even though he went through Vietnam. I would believe that since he was able to go to Vietnam and do what he did, he would be able to talk to sally.

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  6. I like that you include logos ethos and pathos because its kind of like fresh air from everyone else, just hearing repeats and such. I like how you bring up the themes of the story also.

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  7. I thought the descriptions you used were really brought out what the chapter symbols meant, and the pictures to go along with each main symbol was interesting. The way you worded everything also helped make it easier to read.

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  8. I really liked how you explained how we've learned to analyze text in the stories we read, that is great to add in case an outside reader gets confused as to what we are doing. With your post, I agree that the muck presents a common theme of man vs. wild and that this chapter brings with it much nostalgia. Its this nostalgia that brings Norman to constantly just drive around a lake, on the edge of rebirth. Will he be reborn and free from all of the horrors he was faced with years before, including failing to save Kiowa of which he still feels guilt for? Well at the end of the chapter he does enter the lake, but the narrators includes that he does not get undressed - possibly not being full-reborn. With your analysis of pathos, I'd like to disagree. I feel the A&W scene is a great use of pathos when Norman is speaking to the intercom. Here we see Norman almost be shunned for not being as cultured as the rest of the town and he's even given the opportunity to finally tells his story, but backs off. It's this scene that made me sad. Great post!

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  9. I thought that it was interesting that you had brought up topics that I wouldn't have even thought of bring up in my own blog or I have even personally thought when I had been reading the chapter. The mentioning of pathos, ethos and logos was really good and also the theme that were the character like the man vs ..., and you had bought up different comflicts that he faces during the chapter between himself, society and people that he knows. You blogpost was really well written and I'm very impressed as always:)

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  10. Gotta agree with Dustin, the symbolism would have been a nice addition in making this even stronger! Wowza! Your writing each time you post something new gets better and better. I believe that the addition of analyzing the ethos, logos, and pathos was unique though. It wasn't the prompt, but I feel as if it's almost better than the actual prompt itself. Touching on your mentions of themes, it was brilliant. I had to honestly stop reading and take a step back because my mind was blown. The common themes as what are found in so many other books, basing it around "manvsinserthere" was interesting. Really dug this, Kalli. Keep it up!

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