"Vietnam had the effect of a powerful drug: that mix of unnamed terror and unnamed pleasure that comes as the needle slips in and you know you're risking something." [page 109]
Ahh, Mary Anne Bell, the first girl mentioned that is not only a solder's lover, but also a fighter. This story is depressing to me. I don't like that Mark Fossie basically gets screwed over because his girlfriend ["fiance" at one point] wants to be more adventurous and travel the world. It kind of freaks me out, because it was written as they were the golden couple that just couldn't hold it together.
But on the other hand, it seems like Mary Anne was an extremely sheltered girl, the kind who came from Small Town, USA, and had no plans on leaving. She was obviously mischievous and adventurous in some ways, because she never would have flown out to Vietnam if she wasn't looking for change. Her character interests me, similar to how Elroy Berdahl's character does, but my respect for his character is much higher than for her character.
This quote really interests me as well because it compares Vietnam to a drug. Vietnam was Mary Anne's drug because it made her "glow in the dark" [page 109]. I think I'd rather be dull and lackluster than have to travel to Vietnam to glow, but hey, that was her choice not mine. Anyway, it's very interesting how O'Brien says that Vietnam was as potent as a drug. I would think that people would do anything to stay away, but it sounds like once one gets in the thick of it, they don't want to get out.
Hm. I think I'll leave soldiers to that "euphoria"...
Ahh, Mary Anne Bell, the first girl mentioned that is not only a solder's lover, but also a fighter. This story is depressing to me. I don't like that Mark Fossie basically gets screwed over because his girlfriend ["fiance" at one point] wants to be more adventurous and travel the world. It kind of freaks me out, because it was written as they were the golden couple that just couldn't hold it together.
But on the other hand, it seems like Mary Anne was an extremely sheltered girl, the kind who came from Small Town, USA, and had no plans on leaving. She was obviously mischievous and adventurous in some ways, because she never would have flown out to Vietnam if she wasn't looking for change. Her character interests me, similar to how Elroy Berdahl's character does, but my respect for his character is much higher than for her character.
This quote really interests me as well because it compares Vietnam to a drug. Vietnam was Mary Anne's drug because it made her "glow in the dark" [page 109]. I think I'd rather be dull and lackluster than have to travel to Vietnam to glow, but hey, that was her choice not mine. Anyway, it's very interesting how O'Brien says that Vietnam was as potent as a drug. I would think that people would do anything to stay away, but it sounds like once one gets in the thick of it, they don't want to get out.
Hm. I think I'll leave soldiers to that "euphoria"...
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