Synthesizing one’s thoughts into coherent, tangible aspects is achieved through employment of admissible rhetorical devices, conveying intricate, involved concepts. With such a multitude of rhetorical devices to choose from, writers often apply numerous different ones without even realizing they might be doing so. Diction, for example, is often not deeply contemplated before implemented. Such devices as tone and diction simply reveal themselves through expression of author's raw ideas, but, nonetheless, still largely impact the piece and it’s overall flow. Other devices, such as figurative language, syntax, and repetition can also be adopted subconsciously but in many cases are specifically wielded to evoke a certain desired effect for or …show more content…
War stories commonly attempt to reveal hidden truths of war, the psychological toll, the moral influence, the struggle of survival, and the gut wrenching horror and tragedy of it all. Among the multitudes of works concerning the topic of war, The Things They Carry by Tim O’Brien focuses on the outcomes of war, mainly on a personal level relating to those directly involved in the fight. Throughout his work, O’Brien focuses in on several various characters, recounting their personal experiences, both the good and bad, revealing behind the scenes accounts of the brutal reality of war. Truly communicating his message, O’Brien applies countless rhetorical devices, clearly transmitting his truth of war. Emphasizing the brutal, implausible truth of the psychological effects of war, Tim O’Brien adapts curt figurative language, bruske syntax, and fluctuating tones, disclosing the internal, contending struggle of morals induced by war, and illustrating the dramatic impact on character, from anxious to an apathetic …show more content…
The employment of such devices communicates the depth of genuine severity, revealing coping mechanisms used by soldiers, such as the negation of anything bad through an air of humor. Describing the tragic accident leading to to Lee Strunk’s death, O’Brien reveals, “It took off his right leg at the knee… For a while he kept saying, “Damn oh damn,” as if he’d stubbed a toe.” (Friends). Soldiers often play off their pain and fear, assuming an apathetic air as opposed to showing any signs of weakness. This perception of the expression of fear and pain as weakness lingers even after soldiers depart the battlefield, leaving many unable to appropriately deal with the memories and the mental toll of war, occasionally disrupting their ability to reenter modern society. Further displaying coping methods of soldiers, O’Brien uses hyperboles and overstatements such as when he recounts, “Like the time at this river when he went fishing with a whole damn crate of hand grenades. Probably the funnies thing in world history, Rat says, all that gore, about twenty zillion dead gook fish,” (How to Tell a True War Story). Overstatements like this allow for O’Brien to reinforce his characterization of war and how soldiers must find humor in the cruelness of war to retain their sanity and a focused mind. In an effort to maintain their sanity, soldiers