The Rainy River essay PDF

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The Rainy River essay
Archetypal literary theory is extensively used in the story "On the Rainy River". In the story, Tim O'Brien utilizes setting, and character archetypes to represent the emotional struggles he encounters in deciding whether to join the war in Vietnam or run away to Canada....

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The Slaughterhouse Archetypal literary theory is extensively used in the story "On the Rainy River". In the story, Tim O'Brien utilizes setting, and character archetypes to represent the emotional struggles he encounters in deciding whether to join the war in Vietnam or run away to Canada. O'Brien begins the story by drawing a setting archetype that foreshadows the brutalities and manslaughter usually experienced in war, the slaughterhouse. The author's words draw similarities between the vile working conditions at the meat-processing factory and the battleground. He claims that "as a carcass passed by, you'd lean forward and swing the gun up against the clots and squeeze the trigger, all in one motion, and the brush would whirl…it was not a pleasant work" (O'Brien). The diction that O'Brien uses to describe the terrible setting aids to justify his difficulty in joining the Vietnam War. Furthermore, the author examines the archetype setting to explain the outcome of war inevitably. O'Brien explains how the smell from the workstation cannot go from his body, "even after a hot bath and scrubbing hard". The implied explanation completely parallels the post-traumatic tension disorder often faced by soldiers returning from the active line of duty. They usually report being disturbed by the cruelties and killing seen in war, like the stench kept on affecting. Overall, the disgraceful work setting acts as an archetype that foreshadows the war that O'Brien is just about to join in. Therefore, it helps the reader understand the author's difficulty. The author presents a popular archetype in the form of a character, Elroy. Elroy takes care of O'Brien through the six days, which are arguably the make-or-break point in the protagonist's

journey. O'Brien says that "he (Elroy) offered exactly what I needed, without questions, without any words at all. He was there at the critical time a silent, watchful presence". To simplify, Elroy is the caregiver who provides companionship and directions to O'Brien when the main character is most vulnerable. The most important thing in the relationship between the two characters is that Elroy supports the main character to decide which path to take without harsh judgment. He performs his role through stillness and awareness, leaving the main character to handle the situation and determine a way of action without pressure or manipulation. Moreover, O'Brien’s character can be viewed as the explorer archetype. Explorer archetypes encounter change and self-discovery by exploration. The main character considered running away from the Vietnam War for a significant time. He states that his "conscience and instincts were telling me to make a break for it, just take off and run like hell and never stop". The eight-hour trip to the Rainy River is the investigation journey in the story, and it illustrates the turning point in the life of the main character. O'Brien's physical exploration reaches its peak on the Rainy River. After Elroy drives the boat across the river to within touch of Canada, the author is forced to consider that his running away into Canada will shape and brand a "traitor…turncoat, pussy”. At this point, he realizes that he could not endure the shame or the patriotic ridicule and submits to join the war.

Work Cited O'Brien, Tim. "On the Rainy River." The Things They Carried. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1990....