This shows that Azar, as messed up as he is, is still just a kid and he's scared. That rifle he has could be the only thig between him and death so he is going to be holding onto it for dear life. It also serves as a bit of comfort knowing that he can defend himself if he needed to.
Tabbetha Lueth The only comfort and protection Azar feels comes from his rifle. It's like a child holding a teddy bear. He beleives that the teddy bear will make him feel safe and protect him from harm. Azar feels his gun will protect him from the Vietnamese soldiers.
Chris "Big Doggy" Newbauer This is significant because this shows that Jorgenson is not comfortable in his situation and he believes that the rifle gives him the sense of security that he needs.
Azar, earlier in the story, was shown as the sadisic kid who did horrible things to have fun. This imagery of him holding his gun like a teddy bear shows that even though he tries to act like he doesn't feel anything, he does. He is still a kid and his gun is what comforts him, what makes him feel safe. This is like a child with their teddy bear, they carry it for comfort.
The rifle is more than just a comfort to Azar. To a kid a teddy bear is a friend. Something they can rely on to be there for them. Children feel guilty if they leave there teddy bear somewhere. It is a duty, something to take care of. Yes, at most levels it provides comfort, but it shows ownership and pride. That is one responsiblity that Azar is in control of in this war.
Pattie Olson (p204) this is Jorgenson not Azar. When little kids are scared, they often hold things close, as a security blanket. Things like teddy bears, comfort them. Like a child, Jorgenson clings to his gun, because he is scared. But in Nam, the soldiers can't snuggle teddy bears, all they have is thier weapons. This shows how young and afraid these soldiers are.
Alyssa For everyone they have something in their life that makes them feel more comfortable in situations. Azar uses his gun as a comfort tool. Its there to protect him, and because it does just that he feels like he needs to keep it close to him. When someone has an object that makes them feel better they hold onto it for dear life.
O'Brien describes Jorgenson holding his rifle "like a teddy bear," to show how much he resembles a child when terrified to such a degree. Jorgenson is using much like a bulwark against the phantoms he is seeing. When frightened to such a degree, people will revert to childish measure to protect themselves against whatever is frightening them.
Matt Maranto I would have to agree with Nolan that he holds it because he is so terrified and so childish. He doesn't know for sure what is out there making those noises so he protects himself with his gun that he holds "like a teddy bear"
I agree with Pattie. The soldiers are all so young and ignorant about the war. Jorgenson is so scared, but he has nothing to cling to that will protect him except for his gun. I also think that Jorgenson shows us how many of the soldiers in the war felt when they are keeping guard. He is alone, scared, and in the dark. He has no one to talk to, there is nothing for him to do but wait. All of the soldiers had to keep guard at some point, and in the same circumstances. I think that Jorgenson gives us a personal experience that parallels the experiences of all soldiers in any war.
Shauna I agree with Rachel. Jorgenson's weapons are a source of security for him. He is comfortable with them and feels as if they protect him. It is like a child who never leaves their teddy bear, or blanket, or hat, whatever it may be they do not want to go anywhere without it because they feel a sense of security with it.
I agree with Derek. This rifle he is holding is the only thing saving him from death. Instead of choosing to aim and shoot, he chooses to cradle it in his arms. This shows the amount of pressure these kids are under during this barbaric war.
Nolan's got the idea. When challenged with things that you can't comprehend you tend to revert top what comes naturlly to you. For him its hugging somthing dear to him, something that is familiar and comforting
Jake Rietow I would agree with Pattie. It shows how young and immature these soldiers are, and how the only thing they have to cling to at times are their rifles. This also shows what a terrible situation the men must be in if a rifle actually provides them with comfort.
Ethan I agree with Nolan. When you're young you usually cling to something for comfort or protection when you're scared. In Jorgenson's case, holding on to his gun when he's terrified comforts him to some degree. With the gun he feels protected and that's all that matters to him.
Derek
ReplyDeleteThis shows that Azar, as messed up as he is, is still just a kid and he's scared. That rifle he has could be the only thig between him and death so he is going to be holding onto it for dear life. It also serves as a bit of comfort knowing that he can defend himself if he needed to.
Tabbetha Lueth
ReplyDeleteThe only comfort and protection Azar feels comes from his rifle. It's like a child holding a teddy bear. He beleives that the teddy bear will make him feel safe and protect him from harm. Azar feels his gun will protect him from the Vietnamese soldiers.
Chris "Big Doggy" Newbauer
ReplyDeleteThis is significant because this shows that Jorgenson is not comfortable in his situation and he believes that the rifle gives him the sense of security that he needs.
more to say here
ReplyDeleteAnthony
ReplyDeleteAzar, earlier in the story, was shown as the sadisic kid who did horrible things to have fun. This imagery of him holding his gun like a teddy bear shows that even though he tries to act like he doesn't feel anything, he does. He is still a kid and his gun is what comforts him, what makes him feel safe. This is like a child with their teddy bear, they carry it for comfort.
Rachel :)
ReplyDeleteThe rifle is more than just a comfort to Azar. To a kid a teddy bear is a friend. Something they can rely on to be there for them. Children feel guilty if they leave there teddy bear somewhere. It is a duty, something to take care of. Yes, at most levels it provides comfort, but it shows ownership and pride. That is one responsiblity that Azar is in control of in this war.
What specific things has Azar said and done?? THIS IS WHAT I MEAN ABOUT FULLY SUPPORTING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING WITH SPECIFIC DETAILS!!!
ReplyDeletePattie Olson
ReplyDelete(p204) this is Jorgenson not Azar.
When little kids are scared, they often hold things close, as a security blanket. Things like teddy bears, comfort them. Like a child, Jorgenson clings to his gun, because he is scared. But in Nam, the soldiers can't snuggle teddy bears, all they have is thier weapons. This shows how young and afraid these soldiers are.
nice catch Pattie
ReplyDeleteAlyssa
ReplyDeleteFor everyone they have something in their life that makes them feel more comfortable in situations. Azar uses his gun as a comfort tool. Its there to protect him, and because it does just that he feels like he needs to keep it close to him. When someone has an object that makes them feel better they hold onto it for dear life.
Nolan Surma
ReplyDeleteO'Brien describes Jorgenson holding his rifle "like a teddy bear," to show how much he resembles a child when terrified to such a degree. Jorgenson is using much like a bulwark against the phantoms he is seeing. When frightened to such a degree, people will revert to childish measure to protect themselves against whatever is frightening them.
Matt Maranto
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Nolan that he holds it because he is so terrified and so childish. He doesn't know for sure what is out there making those noises so he protects himself with his gun that he holds "like a teddy bear"
Amber Janson
ReplyDeleteI agree with Pattie. The soldiers are all so young and ignorant about the war. Jorgenson is so scared, but he has nothing to cling to that will protect him except for his gun. I also think that Jorgenson shows us how many of the soldiers in the war felt when they are keeping guard. He is alone, scared, and in the dark. He has no one to talk to, there is nothing for him to do but wait. All of the soldiers had to keep guard at some point, and in the same circumstances. I think that Jorgenson gives us a personal experience that parallels the experiences of all soldiers in any war.
Shauna
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rachel. Jorgenson's weapons are a source of security for him. He is comfortable with them and feels as if they protect him. It is like a child who never leaves their teddy bear, or blanket, or hat, whatever it may be they do not want to go anywhere without it because they feel a sense of security with it.
Stef
ReplyDeleteI agree with Derek. This rifle he is holding is the only thing saving him from death. Instead of choosing to aim and shoot, he chooses to cradle it in his arms. This shows the amount of pressure these kids are under during this barbaric war.
Derek
ReplyDeleteNolan's got the idea. When challenged with things that you can't comprehend you tend to revert top what comes naturlly to you. For him its hugging somthing dear to him, something that is familiar and comforting
Jake Rietow
ReplyDeleteI would agree with Pattie. It shows how young and immature these soldiers are, and how the only thing they have to cling to at times are their rifles. This also shows what a terrible situation the men must be in if a rifle actually provides them with comfort.
Kristine
ReplyDeleteThese are scared men that cling to security items like a gun or grenade, the only thing they have to protect them.
Ethan
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nolan. When you're young you usually cling to something for comfort or protection when you're scared. In Jorgenson's case, holding on to his gun when he's terrified comforts him to some degree. With the gun he feels protected and that's all that matters to him.