Tim O'brien's Problematic Truth: Traumatic Experience Through ...

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Download Free PDFTIM O'BRIEN'S PROBLEMATIC TRUTH: TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE THROUGH STORYTELLING IN “HOW TO TELL A TRUE WAR STORY”Bilyana Kostova

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Abstract

A major theme common to war fi ction is the truthful representation of a traumatic episode. This paper examines Tim O'Brien's use of experimental techniques in "How to Tell a True War Story" to highlight the troublesome postmodern connection between fi ction and truth, and their close interrelation with some signifi cant motifs; namely, the nature of storytelling, the rejection of generalizations about the war, and the deconstruction of the concept of truth. Contemporary issues in trauma theory draw on the pathological crisis of truth experienced by survivors, which lead them to both a denial of the experience and an urge to reconstruct it and fi ll in the gaps of their memory. In O'Brien's short story the narrator's compulsive behaviour to tell repeatedly the same traumatic event in different versions is understood as manifestation of his post-traumatic stress syndrome. The therapeutic working-through process he tries to undergo by means of his narrative is undertaken but never successfully accomplished because neither war nor postmodernist aesthetics allow for defi nite answers or absolute defi nitions of war.

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Key takeaways

AI

1. Tim O'Brien's narrative showcases the interplay between trauma and storytelling in war experiences.
2. The text analyzes O'Brien's metanarrative techniques that blur the lines between truth and fiction.
3. O'Brien's repeated accounts emphasize the compulsive nature of trauma and the quest for coherence.
4. The Vietnam War serves as a backdrop, reflecting the complexities of postmodern truth in war narratives.
5. Storytelling emerges as a therapeutic tool for veterans grappling with their traumatic histories.

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References (16)

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FAQs

AI

What narrative techniques are used in O'Brien's storytelling?add

The study identifies self-conscious storytelling, intrusions, and iterative retellings as key techniques that reflect trauma in O'Brien's narrative. These methods effectively deconstruct generalized notions of war, allowing for alternative representations of traumatic experiences.

How does trauma influence the structure of O'Brien's narrative?add

The paper reveals that O'Brien's narrative structure features fragmentation and contradiction, mirroring the chaotic nature of trauma itself. For instance, repeating descriptions of Curt Lemon's death serve to emphasize the protagonist's struggles with processing his experience.

In what ways does O'Brien redefine 'truth' in war narratives?add

O'Brien's narrative presents truth as multifaceted and contradictory, challenging traditional war storytelling conventions. By insisting that 'truths are contradictory,' the paper illustrates his rejection of absolute interpretations of traumatic war experiences.

What ethical implications arise from O'Brien’s depiction of war trauma?add

The analysis posits that O'Brien's work prompts readers to consider their roles as ethical witnesses to trauma. This engagement encourages reflections on the moral responsibilities associated with representing and understanding the experiences of veterans.

How does the concept of 'compulsion to repeat' manifest in the narrative?add

O'Brien's narrative showcases the 'compulsion to repeat' through Tim's iterative storytelling about Curt Lemon's death, embodying the traumatic recall of soldiers. This repeated recounting reveals the struggle to achieve coherence in the face of profound dislocation.

Bilyana KostovaUniversity of Zaragoza, Department MemberaddFollowmailMessagePapers9Followers238View all papers from Bilyana Kostovaarrow_forward

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