English 30-1

“On the Rainy River”, Tim O’Brien

40 Marks

Vocabulary

Define the following in your own words and in reference to the short story. (6)
1. Draft The draft in pertains to a government policy necessitating
individuals to enlist in the military. Throughout the Vietnam
War era. The draft was put into effect to designate young men
for military duty. Regardless of their choice or personal
situations. It entailed a lottery system that determined which
individuals would be summoned for service. This is seen when
Tim O’Brien first receives a later from the government
informing him that he has been drafted to serve in the military.

Page 2 “The draft notice arrived on June 17, 1968”

2. Conscription Conscription, also known as the draft, is the act of enlisting
people into the military. Its goal is to ensure that there is an
adequate number of personnel available for military service
during times of war or national emergency. Conscriptions are
seen early in the story when Tim O’Brien was chosen as a
candidate to be conscripted to serve in the military with a legal
requirement and no say in the decision.

Page 1 “I was drafted to fight in a war I hated.”

3. Draft-Dodger A draft dodger. In the context of this short story. Refers to a
person who endeavors to evade or avoid military service after
being conscripted or drafted. These individuals may employ
various methods such as fleeing to other countries seeking
exemptions or engaging in acts of civil disobedience to avoid
deployment. Initially Tim O'Brien considers the option of
avoiding military conscription by escaping to Canada and thus
evading involvement with the war effort. Such thoughts prompt
him to perceive himself as potentially falling into the category
of being considered a draft dodger.

Page 4 “I headed straight west along the Rainy River, which

separates Minnesota from Canada, and which for me separated
one life from another.”
4. Enlistee An enlistee is someone who chooses to join or enlist in the
military voluntarily and consciously. They consciously choose
to serve their country and go through the necessary training and
duties associated with military service. Tim O'Brien eventually
comes around and enlists in the military.
 Page 10 “And right then I submitted. I would go to the war”
5. Conscientious A conscientious objector is an individual who refuses to
Objector participate in military service or bear arms due to deeply held
religious, ethical, or moral beliefs. They may oppose all forms
of war or hold objections specific to a particular conflict.
Conscientious objectors often seek alternative service options
such as noncombat roles or engaging in humanitarian work.
This is seen when Tim O’Brien contemplates about his own
personal values and questions the morality and necessity of the
war.
Page 1 “but even so the American war in Vietnam seemed to me
wrong. Certain blood was being shed for uncertain reasons. I saw no
unity of purpose,”
6. Deferment A deferment refers to a temporary postponement or exemption
from military service granted based on specific circumstances.
During the Vietnam War era various reasons including college
enrollment certain medical conditions or having dependents
could qualify an individual for deferment. These deferments
allowed individuals to delay their military service until a later
date when the criteria for deferment were no longer applicable.

Discussion Questions

1. How do the opening sentences prepare you for the story: “This is one story I’ve never told
before. Not to anyone”? What effect do they have on you, as a reader? (3)
The opening lines of On the Rainy River captivate the reader with intrigue and curiosity. By
expressing that the narrator has never disclosed this specific story. It hints at an upcoming
revelation of great significance and personal depth. This generates a sense of eager
anticipation and prompts questions regarding why the story has remained unshared until now
as well as how it may have shaped the narrators' life.

2. How do the story's formatting and historical context contribute to your understanding of
O’Brien’s experience? (3)
The story’s' formatting and its historical context intertwine to enhance the readers'
comprehension of O'Briens' encounter. The utilization of a personal narrative format, coupled
with the backdrop of the Vietnam War, aids in establishing a sense of genuineness, emotional
attachment, and societal reflection.
 3. What were O’Brien’s options once he received his draft notice? What was O’Brien’s
perspective on the war? Did it stay the same throughout the story, or did it change? What
does this suggest about O’Brien’s moral and ethical stance on war? Consider the author’s
personal, moral, ethical, and cultural perspective. Use a direct quote to support your
response. (6)
O’Brien’s option included accepting and fulfilling his obligated military service and putting
aside his personal beliefs and embracing his obligations as a citizen. Saying “And right then I
submitted. I would go to the war.”. O’Brien’s other option was to become a draft dodger and
evade the draft by fleeing to Canada, but that came at a price, that of leaving his family,
friends, and lifestyle behind. Exclaiming “Would you jump? Would you feel pity for yourself?
Would you think about your family and your childhood and your dreams and all you’re leaving
behind? Would it hurt? Would it feel like dying? Would you cry, as I did?”. In the story O'Briens
outlook on the war notably changes. At first, he harbors a strong dislike towards the war labeling it as
one that he intensely "hated." He raises doubts about its purpose and the notion of putting his own life
at stake for a cause that he doesn't completely comprehend or endorse. Nevertheless. As events unfold.
His standpoint begins to change. It can be inferred from this statement that O'Briens moral and ethical
perspective on war undergoes a transformation. He struggles with his personal obligation, loyalty to his
country. And the burdens imposed by societal norms. In the end however he chooses to embrace the
call to serve and participate in the conflict recognizing the intricate moral considerations attached to his
choice. Tim O'Brien, the author uses his own personal experiences and perspectives to delve into the
moral and ethical challenges that arise in war. Being a Vietnam War veteran himself. Through his
depiction of O'Briens changing perspective. He effectively explores the internal conflicts and ethical
dilemmas that arise when one is thrust into a situation where warfare becomes a possibility. This is
seen when O’Brien initially states “I was no soldier” but as events unfold, we also see observe
O’Briens perspective on warfare change, saying “and then to Vietnam, where I was a soldier,”.
Presenting us with evidence that supports the idea of O’Brian’s personal, moral, and ethical
perspective’s changing.
Bold text indicates that is a direct quote from the short story.

4. What is Elroy Bergdahl’s role in this story? How does O’Brien liken him to God? How
might such a presence ultimately affect O’Brien? (3)
Elroy’s role in the story was to serve a key character that involves offering valuable advice,
unwavering support, and profound wisdom to Tim O'Brien at an important moment in his life.
O’Brian likens Elroy to God in the story because of the significant impact and influence he has
provided in the life of O’Brien, as well as his ability to understand O’Brien’s problems and
situations with no verbal understanding, being able to provide support for O’Brien. ultimately
Elroy's presence alongside his undeniable impact that leads O'Brien towards experiencing an
awakening moment of self reflection. The presence of Elroy combined with his empathetic
nature serves to guide O'Briens towards making a decision that will satisfy him. As well as
align with his own desires and conscience.
 5. Explain the symbolism of the river. On a symbolic level, what do you think the river
could represent? (4)
The river symbolises the choices and dilemmas we face day to day. The river could represent a
critical moment to decision making, where we must choose the direction our life will go, for
instance we can chose between accepting the draft and participating in the war efforts or going
to Canada to avoid it, as the river represents the middle place in these choices we make.

6. What ultimately motivates O’Brien to go to war? How can guilt function as a redemptive
force? (4)

O’Brian initially “hatted” the was efforts and thought about fleeing to Canada, but this would
also mean leaving his friends family and community, and he believes that by evading the draft
he would be haunted by the guilt and consequences for the rest of his life. In O'Briens decision
making process, guilt serves as a redemptive force. He envisions a future where he flees to
Canada but is constantly burdened by guilt and shame for leaving behind his family,
community, and responsibilities as a citizen. O'Brien firmly believes that evading the draft
would subject him to lifelong haunting consequences. In this perspective. Guilt acts as a
moral guide for O'Brien. Urging him to confront the ethical implications of his choices and
ponder over the potential repercussions of shirking his duty.

7. Define cowardice. Does O’Brien deserve to be labelled a coward for his response to the
Vietnam War? What is the nature of the paradox concerning courage and fear in the
story? Discuss. (4)
Cowardice is a term used as a trait which is characterized by a lack of courage or bravery.
Assigning the label of cowardice to Tim O'Brien based on his response to the Vietnam War is
subjective by nature as it relies on personal viewpoints and individual values. I believe that
Tim O’Brian does not seem like a coward, due to his decision to eventually accept his military
duties, despite his doubt and moral obligation, he has also showed that he is willing to face the
consequences for his actions, showing that he does not lack courage or bravery. The paradox
of conserving courage and fear is that it is unfair to label someone as a coward merely based
on their reaction to war. This oversimplifies the various factors that influence their choices,
such as personal circumstances, moral dilemmas, and personal beliefs. We must acknowledge
that individuals may struggle with making difficult moral decisions when confronted with
challenging situations.
 8. What do you think O’Brien wanted his readers to take away from his story? Is there a
purpose to the story? What is the overall message of this story? Explain your answer
thoroughly. (4)
Tim O'Brien wanted his readers to engage in a thoughtful examination of the moral and ethical
challenges that individuals encounter during war while also promoting a more profound
understanding of the complexities involved in human decision making when confronted with
what society demands and personal obligations. The story’s intention is to explore O'Briens
own internal battles and emotional distress while at the same time offering insight into the
universal struggle faced by individuals entangled in the gears of warfare. The overall message
of this story is that decisions made in a time of mental struggle and conflict are not simple or
straight forward. For instance, O’Brien refers to and questions the purpose of the war saying,
“It was my view then, and still is, that you don’t make war without knowing why.” But in the end,
this Is conflicted by the weight of societal pressure as well as the obligation he feels towards his
country. This situation brings attention to the difficulties that individuals encounter when they must
balance their obligation towards society with staying true to their own principles and convictions.

9. What can we learn through the struggle O’Brien experiences as a drafted individual? Is
O’Brien’s experience unique to him, why or why not? (3)
Through O’Brien’s experience’s and struggles we can learn important lessons, and gain
knowledge into the conflicting decisions we make during everyday life and during times of
war. We learn from O’Brien’s experiences, and they have highlighted the complex moral maze
we must go though when faced with a difficult circumstance. He struggles with conflicting
emotions and actions; O’Brien’s struggle and experience shows the struggle faced when
caught a battle of personal belief and societal obligation. While O'Briens encounter is specific
to him as a person the takeaways drawn from his fight go beyond his personal circumstances.
The moral dilemmas, and opposing loyalties he faces are relatable to others who have
struggled with the difficulty of decision-making, societal pressures, and the consequences of
their actions.