Literature and History in Times of War Essays

Literature and History in Times of War Essays Literature and History in Times of War Essay Literature and History in Times of War Essay Essay Topic: The Things They Carried Elements of war, such as violence, blood, and death are not things that all people are able to sink in their heads without puking or feeling dazed. The brutality of people involved in war, on either side, is extravagant in horrendous ways because of the mass destruction on either side. The loss of innocence of young soldiers and civilians was intense, with nearly every single one of them being involved in war crimes or violence in general. â€Å"The Things They Carried† by Tim O’Brien gives its audience great examples of war while â€Å"The Secret Lion† by Alberto Alvaro Rios provides a good example of the loss of innocence that history conveys. Historical events like The Great War and World War II are filled with bloody massacres and crimes against humanity. According to military historian, John Keegan â€Å"It is assumed to be an orderly affair in which states are involved, in which there are declared beginnings and expected ends, easily identifiable combatants, and high levels of obedience by subordinates,† proving the actuality of war and how it is supposed to be run. War is a subject in history individual feel strongly for or against, but do not usually understand war in every single element.With that said, not all of history includes blood, violence, and gore, but all of it includes emotion and morality. O’Brien’s description of the burdens that soldiers carried, ranging from â€Å"P-38 can openers, pocket knives, heat tabs, wristwatches, dog tags, mosquito repellent, chewing gum, candy, cigarettes,† (430) all the way to â€Å"The carried all the emotional baggage of men who might die,â₠¬  (439) provides a true example of the heavy mental and physical weight of war, allowing readers to understand the prospect and nature of war in history, and the brutality it brings out in even the best people. Aspects of â€Å"The Things They Carried† introduce humanity’s greatest weaknesses in times of war. Weaknesses that everyone possesses