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Song Analysis: The Things They Carried By Tim O Brien

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The band The Clash once said in one of their most popular songs “Should I Stay or Should I Go”. This chant played through Tim O’Brien’s head as he got drafted into the Vietnam war. In the book The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. O’Brien faced the issue of going to Vietnam in this chapter. From there he thinks of an idea to flee to Canada and even comes within swimming distance of it, but ultimately does not do it because he the embarrassment to fight overcomes him. If I were in Tim O'Brien's Place I would go to Vietnam. Reasons why I would report for duty in Vietnam instead of fleeing to Canada are I would be afraid of the law coming to get me, I would be afraid of what people would think of me, and finally most of all I wouldn't be able …show more content…

Considered as a fugitive of the law; I personally would be a nervous wreck. An unbearable thought of police and helicopters chasing me, for I wouldn't be able to serve the time in prison for that crime. Doing time for draft dodging isn't taking lightly. So if I were in O’Brien’s shoes I would go to …show more content…

Wimpy and a cowards what I would be called; If I didn’t report to duty and go to Vietnam. In the story O’Brien says to The Reader “Traitor! They yelled Turncoat! Pussy! I felt myself blush. I couldn’t tolerate it. I couldn't endure the mockery or the disgrace or the patriotic ridicule” (O’Brien 57). O’Brien in this quote goes to war because he was to embarrassed not to. If I were in a similar position to O’Brien; I wouldn't be able to live with people calling me a coward. My family would disown me if I fled from the draft, and my friends and neighbors wouldn't respect me and think of me as a coward or a traitor to my country. To embarrassed not to go to Vietnam O’Brien didn't flee. If I were in the same position I wouldn't flee to Canada either.

Finally, I wouldn’t be able to leave my town and start a new life in Canada. The North Hills serves as a great place to live the thought of starting a new life in a new country stresses me. As the boat floats towards Canada, O’Brien says to the reader “ I saw my brother and sister, all the towns folk, the mayor, the entire chamber of commerce and all my old teachers, girlfriends and high school buddies” (O’Brien 55). O’Brien starts to reminisce on all the things he will miss if
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