In the beginning of the chapter On the Rainy River, Tim O’Brien starts by saying, “This is one story I’ve never told before. Not brother or sister, not even to my wife”(O’Brien,38) By telling us this, he has already captured the reader's attention by making us feel important because he his confiding in us something he hasn’t even told his loved ones.”On the Rainy River” is a fictional story based on Tim’s memories of the Vietnam war.In this chapter, Tim has an opportunity to swim to Canada and escape fighting in the Vietnam war instead of fighting for his country. The author, who shares the same name as the main character, Tim O’Brien, turns the decision process into something so vivid that it makes the reader feel as if they were Tim …show more content…
Elroy serves as a representation of his father for Tim, who spends six thoughtful days with Elroy trying to make his decision. One day Elroy takes Tim out on the river and Tim has a chance to swim the shore and escape the draft by going to Canada.(58) Tim sees chunks of his history flash by and in that flashback there are three younger versions of him. “I saw a seven year old boy in a white cowboy hat and a Lone Ranger mask and a pair of holstered six-shooters; I saw a twelve-year-old Little League shortstop pivoting to turn a double play; I saw a sixteen-year-old kid decked out for his first prom, looking spiffy in a white tux and a black bow tie, his hair cut short and flat, his shoes freshly polished.” Having these flashbacks highly influences his decision, because Tim would be leaving behind all of these memories that he’s had as a child. Being a twelve-year-old Little League shortstop is such an American tradition. Things such as that are what makes people proud, leaving to Canada would make him feel like a coward, and we know that the last thing Tim wants is to let his country down. In Tim’s fantasy he also talks about Abraham Lincoln, and children whom are wounded. “ All my aunts and uncles were there, and Abraham Lincoln, and Saint George… I saw faces from my distant future.” Abraham Lincoln, known as “Honest Abe” was one of the greatest leaders in the world. Lincoln, abolished slavery and preserved the Union. Imagine if you were in front of this amazing hero, would you decide to take off to Canada or stay and fight for your