Part One:
1. For Part 1 of this week's forum I choose the story "Night March" to discuss or portray family relationships that are less than perfect. As a military member having been deployed for two wars on multiple occasions I feel I can relate to the characters attitude and fear throughout most of the story. In no way though have I experienced as harsh conditions of those who served in the Vietnam War. However I feel as a military member we are seen by the civilian sector as a tight group and or family. The military is seen when you're a service member as a family away from family, so to speak. The members of Paul's Platoon where just that. Paul would just need the time to understand and know that as he soon found out I'm sure. Paul was new to the Platoon and was fearful like most of us who have served our country in a foreign land. Paul is scared and nervous not wanting to get to know the military members in which he was fighting with.
Part Two: For this week's author I choose to research Tim O'Brien after His work "Night March". The part that stuck out in his biography was that O'Brien served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 as an Infantryman in the U.S. Army. (BookReport.com) I believe that the story "Night March" is not a direct reflection of what O'Brien may have experienced but is a tale of a similar experience of him and those who served in the Vietnam War.
Part Three:
"Where are you going, Where Have You Been?"
In the short story "Where are you going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates we learn of a fifteen year old by the name of Connie. Connie is taken by a boy named Arnold and is fearful for her life. She is referred to as "My sweet little blue-eyed girl" when her eyes are clearly brown in color. (Oates 255) I interpret as Arnold has created an image of Connie in his head. Arnold though the story promises Connie to do certain things. The question is will Arnold follow through with the promises? I see in a situation where she is forever trapped as Arnold's prisoner destined to reside in an unfamiliar place away from her family.
"Night March"
In the story "Night March" by Tim O'Brien we learn of a solder. The setting depicts that of the Vietnam War. The story is based on a soldier named Paul Berlin who is new to his platoon and the war. Paul struggles with trying to fit in with the new platoon after the death of a fellow solider "Billy Boy". However as the days go on marching through the patty of Vietnam to the sea, Paul begins to find his place within his Platoon. I think the story ends with Paul fitting in to his new Platoon. The final sentence of O'Brien's short story "You'll do fine," Cacciato said. "You will. You got a terrific sense of humor." (O'Brien 241) Paul and his newly accepted Platoon reach the sea and Paul is a better soldier having endured the events he encountered.
2. Part I: I think that "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been" portrays a very interesting storyline. The short story portrays a beautiful fifteen year old girl who does not have the best relationship wither her mother nor her older sister. The lack of a relationship with them allows her to look for attention elsewhere, and in this case it is not the best spot to find it. It was definitely a bit of a reality check to read about the struggle over the nature of sexuality. I had to keep in mind that even though this story was written during a time when sexual woes were being questioned I think that this 2. short story portrays events that occur in today's day and age as well. This struggle we read about all stemmed from the lack of the relationship from her mother and sister. Most of the focus of this short story is drawn to the women of the family, whose relationships are broken down by a society that sees them as nothing more than sexual, marriageable objects.
Part II: I did a little extra research on James Baldwin. I found it interesting that he grew up in Harlem. I think that Baldwin's lifestyle is greatly reflected within the short story "Sonny's Blues". The narrator describes a broken family where the concepts of brotherly love are greatly viewed. Race was also really big during Baldwin's upbringing and there is evidence amongst his writing too. Baldwin actually became a strong voice during the Civil Rights movement.
Part III: In the end of Oates' story, we see that Connie finally realizes that she is in trouble. It seems as though Arnold has changed her into something that she is not. ""My sweet little blue-eyed girl," he said in a half-sung sigh that had nothing to do with her brown eyes but was taken up just the same by the vast sunlit reaches" (Perkins, 2015, pg. 253). It was odd to read that Connie actually felt possessed and had what seemed to be an out of body experience. I believe that Connie has submitted to Arnold's will and is basically a puppet to his game. I do wonder if she will live or if she will die - that's my biggest question.
Reference - Perkins, George, Perkins. American Literature Since the Civil War - 2015 edition, 1st Edition. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 11/2008. VitalSource Bookshelf Online.