Free Essay

Norman Bowker

In:

Submitted By DestineeMustari
Words 537
Pages 3
Though Norman Bowker came off as a strong, courageous soldier in Vietnam, he was one of many that struggled most. Norman couldnt find himself after the war and didn't know how to move on from the experience and tragic events he endured because he lacked encouragement from the people he needed it from most. The pressure placed on Norman from the war still haunts him and handicaps his consciousness because Norman never got the reassurance and support that he vied for after coming home. Normans father played a huge role in his life and his feeling of dread after the war. he needed a push from his father and couldn't seem to feel satisfied with himself until he got that. “And his father would have nodded knowing full well that many brave men do not win medals for their bravery and that others win medals for doing nothing” (O’brien 135) Instead of feeling proud about telling his father about the medals he has won, he feels his dad won't appreciate all the medals he has earned. He comforts himself by fantasizing what a conversation with his father would be like to help him feel the reassurance he never received from him.“Sounds pretty wet; his father would have said, pausing briefly. ‘So what happened? ‘ you really want to hear this?’’Hey Im your father.’ Norman Bowker smiled. He looked across the lake and imagined the feel of his tongue against the truth”(O’brien 137). Norman tries to imagine what a conversation with his dad might be like if he really listened because he wanted his dad to acknowledge how hard he worked and how hard the war was for him and appreciate him. Because of the loneliness that Norman is feeling, he doesn't know how to cope with the fact that he can't move on from his war experience and is stuck in a place that no one else is because they have moved on with their lives,“Before the way they'd driven around the lake as friends, but now Max was just an idea, and most of Norman Bowkers other friends were living in Des Moines or Sioux City or going to school somewhere, or holding down jobs.” (O’brien 133) When Norman came home he realized that everyone was happy and off doing things with their lives but he was stuck and had nobody to turn to. In the end, Norman lacks something that everyone needs for themselves and that is motivation to better oneself. He tries to redeem himself by going to school but it doesn't work. “At one point he had enrolled in the junior college in his hometown.. He dropped out after eight months and he spent his mornings in bed.” (O’brien 149) Norman never received the encouragement and support to move on to different and better things in his life after the war. So he had no motivation or anyone to turn and talk to about it. Norman Bowker struggled because he experienced people he loved being killed at war and it got to him because when he returned to home he realized he had nothing to look forward to because no one was there for him when he needed it.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Norman Bowker Character Analysis

...After his service in the Vietnam War, Norman Bowker returns home and has difficulty adjusting to the normalcy of everyday life. In the late afternoon on the Fourth of July holiday, Norman drives around a local lake, passing time and thinking about his life before the war, as well as what he saw and did in Vietnam. Norman after the drive he just sits, and watches his little town hoping not to run into his father, because he is afraid he won’t be very happy (164). When Norman returns home he is welcomed but in ways he didn’t expect. Everyone acted like he was never even gone, and showed little to no respect for his courageous act. Norman brought home many medals and trophies for his courage and attitude in the war. Pilot medals, and ground war....

Words: 281 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Fire

...year 383 marks the end of Roman rule in northern and western Britain. In that year, Roman troops were withdrawn from those regions of Britain for the last time. 3. Who was William the Conqueror? What did he accomplish? Why was William significant - William the Conqueror was the first Norman King of England, reigning from 1066 until his death in 1087. - When he was eight he became duke of Normandy. Violence plagued his early reign. in 1052 he married Matilda of Flanders. William and Matilda had six daughters and four sons. Crowned king of England in 1066. - William the conqueror shifted the culture of England itself to one much more recognizable as the modern nation-state. Change the language we are formally use to. 4. Briefly describe the invasion of England. - Basically started a new era in British history. It happened with 7000 troops and calvary marched to Hastings. After and all day battle King Harold II was killed shot in the eye with an arrow. 5. What were 3 major reforms that William implemented? - 1. Only one God will be worshipped throughout the whole of England and there will be only one faith. This will preserve peace between the English and the Normans. - 2. All freemen will swear an oath that they will be loyal to the king. All freemen will swear to defend William against all of his enemies. - 3. No live cattle can be sold outside of...

Words: 457 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Why Did William Win the Battle of Hastings?

...amount of ships to carry his army over the English Channel. William used the very clever trick of retreating down the hill to make the English follow and lose their ground. After that, the Norman army quickly doubled back on themselves and surrounded and killed the helpless English. As well as all this, William had a store of the finest weapons in France. Leadership William was one of the bravest people of his time. When his army was having difficulties during the battle, he bravely led his army back up the hill to make another attack upon the English. Due to William's intelligence, he arranged his army in long rows, archers at the front to try and soften up the English's shield wall, footsoldiers in the middle, and the cavalry at the back for a big attack.The retreating trick explained in the above paragraph also shows great leadership. Luck Luckily for William, the wind changed direction in his favour on his journey north to England. When Harold had been fighting the Vikings in the north of England, some of his best troops were killed, giving a huge advantage to the Normans. Very luckily for the Normans, Harold was killed by an arrow in the eye at a key stage of the battle, leaving the Saxons without their leader. Another advantage to the Normans was that the Saxons were already exhausted after their battle with the Vikings and then had to march straight away on the long trip from Stamford Bridge to Battle. My...

Words: 377 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Bayeux Tapestry

...Bayeux Tapestry Experience Dear family, I hope you find this letter in the best spirit and health. I am writing you to inform you that I am still alive and that I have experienced some unpleasant situations. The Bayeux Tapestry was one of the most memorable and successful battles that I have ever participated in as a Norman soldier. The battle was fought between the strong Norman soldiers and the English soldiers. The battle of Hastings (a small town) saw the clash of two military systems. The Saxon army, centred on the King’s personal bodyguard of “housecarles”, comprised the universal levy, the “Fyrd”, led by the local leaders of each shire with their households. Thank god I am still alive. Most of my soldiers are dead or wounded. In the summer of 1066, I was a part of an army of noblemen and adventurers from across Northern France to invade England, promising lands and titles in the name of the new kingdom to my followers and obtaining the support of the Pope for the venture. I was a part of a fleet of around 1,000 vessels, designed in the style of the old Norse “Dragon Ships” (80 feet long; propelled by oars and a single sail), was built and assembled to convey the army across the Channel. We also had soldiers who could afford it wore leather jackets with steel chain or ring mail sewn into the leather and a conical helmet with a nose guard, carrying a spear, sword and the characteristic kite shaped shield. Archers in my army were armed with a short bow....

Words: 1129 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Anglo-Saxon Opposition

... King Malcolm. King Swegn Viking army Supported by native Anglo Scandinavians Northumbrian aristocracy. Welsh (1)Edwin + Morcar allied with Welsh princes (2)Thegn - Eadric the ‘wild’ the Welsh princes rising put down fitzOsbern. (1)Edwin + Morcar allied with Welsh princes (2)Thegn - Eadric the ‘wild’ the Welsh princes rising put down fitzOsbern. 3 of Harold’s sons came of over from Ireland. 3 of Harold’s sons came of over from Ireland. Foreign – Eustace of Boulogne. Foreign – Eustace of Boulogne. Nature of Leader ship Nature of Leader ship Lack of royal authority. Anti-Norman. Lack of royal authority. Anti-Norman. North had been semi-dependant of south before 1066. Northern earls didn’t try to save Godwin (1051) or Edward (1052) and ejected Tostig (1065). Lack of royal authority + monastic influence. Allowed...

Words: 1411 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Starbucks-Organizational Research Analysis Paper

...Organizational Research/ Analysis Paper   Organizational Research/Analysis Paper: Starbucks In 1971 Starbucks was founded on a love for coffee. Three businessmen, Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin, and Zev Siegl, had a desire to share that love with Seattle by opening a small coffee shop known as Starbucks Coffee, Tea & Spice. Ten years later Starbucks had grown to four retail stores located throughout the Seattle area. Whole bean coffee was sold at all four locations. Upon reaching 100 stores in 1992 the company went public. Starbucks grew at an exponential pace thereafter, into a successful, well-known international organization that helps roughly 35 million customers a week (Stanley, 2002). The purpose of this paper is to discuss and analyze Starbucks’ organizational structure, organizational behaviors in communication and ethical decision making, and organizational goals. Organizational structure “is depicted through its organizational chart and recognizes concepts of differentiation and integration” (Anthony, Gales & Hodge, 2003). It’s a “formal composition of task and reporting relationships that allows the company to control, coordinate, and motivate employees so a common goal can be achieved (Hitt, 2008). Starbucks uses a matrix configuration by combining divisional and functional structures. Because of the complexity of matrix structures, Starbucks is categorized as a mechanistic organization, which entails high vertical and horizontal complexity, high formalization...

Words: 1290 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Causes of Frontier Disputes During William the Conqueror's Reign

...To what extent were family disputes within William the Conqueror’s family the main cause of frontier disputes from 1066-1100? Frontier disputes were an occurrence that plagued the Norman rule of England throughout both William the First and his son William the Second’s reign. With the forces of Malcolm III, King of Scots encroaching upon Northumbria in the north eastern border and Cumbria in the west, and with Norman authority collapsing in Normandy, we see a pair of English Kings run ragged, marching up and down the country, over the English Channel and back again in a desperate attempt to consolidate their rule and affirm superiority in a cross channel government. But with twice the military commitments and two different sets of jurisdiction, rebellion and dispute spread like wildfire along the fringes of Norman control. This came down to three main reasons; the deep rooted disunion between English constitutions and Scottish rule had been a problem for centuries, and while inroads were made to settle this division, Kings William I and II found it hard to leave a lasting effect. The impact of a cross channel government, and how this arrangement made it easy for rebel forces to initiate attempts at claiming whatever land or possessions they liked when William left England to deal with discord in Normandy or vice versa. Finally, how family disputes, between William the First and his son Robert, and also between William Rufus and Robert after William came in to the throne, were...

Words: 1534 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Letter in the Life of a Solider

...Harold, Earl of Wessex Today I leave my brother, King Edward, after long conversation. I will first go to the south coast with my Hawk, hunting dogs, and followers, to journey to my families estate in Sussex, Bosham. My companions and I have now reached Bosham. We will go to the church to pray to God that he watches over our voyage and keep us safe on our travels. After we have prayed we shale dine on a magnificent feast that will be prepared at the manor house. When morning comes I will board my ship hawk in hand and set sails. The morning had come and as planned we have set sails and are now crossing the channel. Land has been spotted by my lookout form upon the mast and I have been informed that it is Ponthieu, north of Normandy. This is the territory of the Count Guy. He is known to be a fierce man. I pray that this is not fact. The count is in fact a firce man. As soon we ported and I stepped from my ship I was seized by Count Guy’s soldiers as the Count sits horseback directing operations. I have now been taken prisoner but while the Count is a fierce man he did insure that I was treated with respect and allowed to ride in front with my hawk as we journeyed to his capital city of Beaurain. When we arrived to Beaurain, Count Guy...

Words: 832 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Letter

...Herluin, Viscount of Conteville and Odo’s mother was Herleva whom was the mother of the Duke of Normandy. When he was only nineteen years old, William made him the Bishop of Bayeux where he built a cathedral there. He was the architect who commanded the Bayeux Tapestry. This 230-foot-long, 20-inch high embroidery was one of the most fascinating narratives commissioned by Odo. The entourage of Bishop Odo of Bayeux has successful entrepreneurs and talented scholars. It based on two groups of men who owed his triumph to his support: those who clenched the land from him in his earldom of Kent and persons whose legendary education he nurtured. At the Battle of Hastings, immediately after the English have prevented a cavalry charge, the Normans are pressured by this last cause as Odo twirled his marshal’s baton, reassuring his troops. He was high minded, very conquered with world insignificances, where the Spirit triumphed in him to good ends. There are others whose flesh overcame with the spirit of evil consequences. He accrued wealth by suspicious means. He also imparted it charitably on...

Words: 329 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Bayeux

...Herluin, Viscount of Conteville and Odo’s mother was Herleva whom was the mother of the Duke of Normandy. When he was only nineteen years old, William made him the Bishop of Bayeux where he built a cathedral there. He was the architect who commanded the Bayeux Tapestry. This 230-foot-long, 20-inch high embroidery was one of the most fascinating narratives commissioned by Odo. The entourage of Bishop Odo of Bayeux has successful entrepreneurs and talented scholars. It based on two groups of men who owed his triumph to his support: those who clenched the land from him in his earldom of Kent and persons whose legendary education he nurtured. At the Battle of Hastings, immediately after the English have prevented a cavalry charge, the Normans are pressured by this last cause as Odo twirled his marshal’s baton, reassuring his troops. He was high minded, very conquered with world insignificances, where the Spirit triumphed in him to good ends. There are others whose flesh overcame with the spirit of evil consequences. He accrued wealth by suspicious means. He also imparted it charitably on...

Words: 329 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Bayeux Tapestry

...be able to come home soon, the enemy has been steadily retreating. My cause has been great and I believe I have been able to honor our family name. Let it be known that as a Norman soldier, the Battle of Hastings was one of the most successful and memorable battles that I ever participated in. Since I have volunteered for the war, we have spent the days working hard in the preparation of the ships we were going to be using to sail across the channel. It seemed like every day there were more and more soldiers arriving to help and fight for the cause. To keep the soldiers organized and working efficiently Duke William separated us into groups that would work on the ships, another group would work on weapons at the armory and another group would gather supplies needed for the journey and this battle. As the days past I became more anxious to go to battle, not sure if it was the smell of fresh cut wood or seeing the ships being built or seeing the magnificent weapons that were being crafted and stock piled. I know that the men I am with will fight to the death, we are a brotherhood of men. The soldiers who could afford it wore leather jackets with steel chain or ring mail sewn into the leather, carrying a spear, sword and the tear drop shaped shield. Archers in the Norman army were armed with a short bow. The significant features of the...

Words: 984 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

1066 Research Paper

...David Howarth introduced 1066: The Year of The Conquest as the Norman conquest of England and in 1066 the invasion of England was led by the Duke of Normandy, William. The basis were the claims of William to the English throne where the king originally agreed to have him to be throned. The Norman conquest of England granted that in 1066 the accomplishment and recognization of the feudalism that originally only began in the period of the Anglos. Because William the conqueror wanted to be the one to thrown right into the throne, that came with huge implications for the development of England. He founded the United Kingdom himself. The management of the system that he developed really worked and it was accepted by others. William also created an army that conducted the first of landowners. The conquest of Normany in England the year of 1066 was taken ahead by the army of troops of William the...

Words: 866 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

What Makes William I So Successful?

...quickly had been designated by the Saxon Witan to guard the country. With the passing of Harold II at Hastings, sorted out Saxon resistance fallen. William of Normandy, driving less than three thousand Norman knights, moved north parallel to the drift, took Dover, then judiciously went to Canterbury, where he threatened Archbishop Stigand into giving his approval for Duke William to proceed onward to Westminster and claim the crown. Along his way toward London, William's aptitude, as a military strategist for fulfilling this objective with constrained ground support, is appeared in the way he encompassed and disconnected towns with least showdown. In any case, when he touched base at the south shore of the Thames opposite London, he mercilessly crushed the land. He exhibition to nationals of London that he could be absolutely brutal, and that he implied business. In this, he was successful to the point that the Saxon pioneer, Edgar the Atheling (the main living male beneficiary of Alfred the Great) and other Saxon nobles in London met William outside the city entryways, where they offered him...

Words: 702 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Bayeux Tapestry

...Battle of Stamford Bridge 25th September 1066 b) Battle of Hastings 14th Octuber 1066 3. 1 comet: Halley's comet The Norman conquest (from the norman point o view) It is 1064. In the Royal Palace of Westminster Edward the Confessor, King of England since 1042, is talking to his brother-in-law Harold, Earls of Wessex. After this Harold, holding a haek, makes for the south coast with his followers and hunting dogs. Harold's ship is driven across the channel, to Ponthieu, noth of Normandy, the territory of the fierce Count Guy. Harold is shown twice. At the left he stands on the ship, ready to land. As soon as he climbs ddown, he is seized by the soldiers of Count Guy, who directs operations from horseback. Harold, now a prisoner, is treated with respect; he rides in front, with his hawk, towards Beaurain, Guy's capital town. Guy sits on his throne and speaks with Harold. New is brought to William tha Guy has seized Harold. Guy obeys William's order and takes Harold to meet him. Guy ponts to Harold; both men carry their hawks. Harold accompanies William and the Norman soldiers as they set off to fight Duke Conan of Brittany. They pass Mont St. Michel, and they hace to cross the river. They hold their shields above their heads. Some soldiers sink into quicksand and Harold rescues them two at a time! The Normans catch up with Conan at Dinan. During the battle soldiers on horseback throw lances, and others try to set fire to the defences. Conan surrenders...

Words: 943 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Norman Conquest

...The Norman Conquest of England To make it clear we should remember: before the Normans, there were four different peoples who invaded England.They were: the Celts (the 6th century BC) the Romans (the 1st century AD) the Anglo-Saxons (the 5th century) the Vikings (the end of the 8th century) The Norman Conquest was the fifth invasion. And it is so well-known because it was the last invasion of Britain. In the 11th century the Normans came to England from Normandy. They were Norsemen who had already settled in the northern part of France. This means that the Normans adopted the French language, French manners, customs and way of life, because they lived among French people. On October 14th, 1066, King William (Duke of Normandy) defeated the army of the English King Harold in the Battle of Hastings. No matter how hard the people of England tried to defend their country, the Normans were still much stronger than the Anglo-Saxons. The Normans made many poor English people their own serfs. Besides this they burnt their houses and killed them. When William, Duke of Normandy, was crowned, he became the King of England. He settled in London and was called William the Conqueror. For 500 years the Normans were masters of Britain. A great number of important changes are connected with the Normans. They brought with them Latin and French civilizations, the laws and the organization of the land. Many Latin and French words penetrated into the Old English language. Commerce and...

Words: 325 - Pages: 2