Summary vs. Analysis

Summary:  
    In Tim O’Brien’s story “On the Rainy River”, he tells of how he reacted to being drafted into the Vietnam War.  It was in June of 1968, he’d just graduated from Macalester College at the age of 21 only to find a letter drafting him off to war.  This was a war he did not believe in and did not want to fight.  While working in an Armour meatpacking plant during the summer of 68’, he gave much thought to the draft letter he‘d received.  One day while working, the fear overcame him and he fled towards Canada.  He had no plan other than not going off to war.  He ended up at the Tip Top Lodge, where he stayed for six days.
    During those six days, Tim thought of the many different outcomes he may face depending on his decision.  He was afraid to die for something he didn’t believe in, but he was also afraid to leave behind everything of the life he’d always known.  Elroy Berdahl was the owner of the lodge, but more than that he was a person who was there for Tim in this desperate time in his life.  Elroy passed no judgments, gave no opinions, and asked no questions, he was just there, making all of this reality for Tim.  At the end of six days Tim decided to go home and head off to war.  He stayed alive and came home to write this story of his days on the Rainy River at the Tip Top Lodge.

Analysis:
    The story, “On the Rainy River” is that of a man at a crossroad in his life.  Stay and fight or flee.  O’Brien felt himself better than the war, above it.  “I was too good for this war.  Too smart, too compassionate, too everything.  It couldn’t happen.  I was above it.” (pg 39).  O’Brien thought he was better than the war his country sent for him to fight in.  When he ran towards Canada he proved he was not above it, but below it.  He was no better than any war, simply a scared child, and children do not fight wars for America.  So you see, Tim O’Brien was not too good for this war, but too cowardly.  At least until he decided to come back and do what was right.


Works Cited:
O'Brien, Tim.  The Things They Carried. "On The Rainy River" pages 37-58.  Copyright 1990 by Tim O'Brien