In Tim O'Brien's "On the Rainy River," the protagonist, also named Tim O'Brien, is faced with a difficult decision: whether to go to war in Vietnam or to flee to Canada to avoid the draft. The story takes place in the summer of 1968, a time of great political upheaval and social unrest in the United States.
At the beginning of the essay, O'Brien is a 21-year-old college student who has just received his draft notice. He is torn between his sense of duty to his country and his moral opposition to the war. On the one hand, he feels a strong sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country. On the other hand, he is deeply troubled by the moral implications of the war and the way it is being conducted.
As O'Brien grapples with this dilemma, he takes a trip to the Rainy River, which forms the border between the United States and Canada. It is there that he meets an old man named Elroy Berdahl, who runs a fishing resort on the Canadian side of the river. Elroy becomes a mentor and friend to O'Brien, offering him guidance and support as he struggles with his decision.
Through his conversations with Elroy and his own reflections, O'Brien comes to a deeper understanding of the war and its impact on the people who are forced to fight in it. He realizes that the war is not just about politics or ideology, but about the lives of real people who are being asked to risk everything for a cause they may not fully understand or believe in.
Ultimately, O'Brien decides not to go to war. He knows that this decision will have consequences for him and his loved ones, and he will face criticism and ostracism from some quarters. But he also knows that it is the right decision for him, based on his own moral principles and values.
In "On the Rainy River," O'Brien writes about the personal and moral dilemmas that many young people faced during the Vietnam War. Through his own story, he encourages readers to think critically about the issues of war and peace, and to make their own decisions based on what they believe to be right and true.
"On the Rainy River" is a personal essay by Tim O'Brien, published in his collection The Things They Carried. The essay describes a pivotal moment in O'Brien's life, when he was faced with the decision of whether to flee to Canada to avoid the draft for the Vietnam War or to fulfill his duty and potentially be sent to fight in a war he opposed.
The essay begins with O'Brien describing his feelings of guilt and shame as he contemplates his options. He is torn between his desire to do the right thing and his fear of being seen as a coward. O'Brien writes about the social pressure he feels to fight in the war and the fear of being ostracized by his community if he does not.
As the essay progresses, O'Brien describes his encounter with an elderly man named Elroy Berdahl, who owns a fishing resort on the Rainy River near the Canadian border. Berdahl takes pity on O'Brien and offers him a job and a place to stay as he contemplates his decision.
Throughout the essay, O'Brien grapples with his own personal values and beliefs, as well as the societal expectations placed on him. He writes about the internal conflict he faces as he tries to reconcile his desire to be a good person with his fear of being seen as weak or disloyal.
Ultimately, O'Brien decides not to flee to Canada, but rather to fulfill his duty and serve in the war. He writes that this decision was not easy, and that he still grapples with feelings of guilt and shame for not standing up for his beliefs.
"On the Rainy River" is a poignant and deeply personal essay that explores the complex and difficult decisions that individuals face when faced with difficult moral choices. It speaks to the universal struggle to find one's own path in life, and the courage it takes to stand up for one's beliefs in the face of societal pressure.
