In the literary work, Speaking of Courage, Tim OBrien highlights the trying struggle of a post-war solider attempting desperately to integrate himself back into American society. Paul Berlins trials and tribulations exemplify the dominance of a citizen culture in the United States, as mentioned by Dr. Decker in class. American society does not allow for the soldiers we have sent off to fight to return as warriors.While Speaking of Courage is based on Pauls experience after the Vietnam War the effect of the citizen culture can be seen throughout history. Americans are not generally known to have an imperial, blood thirsty nature. We choose to conquer the world using business or other non-violent means. In the case of the Vietnam War, our government was forced to draft our soldiers, as they did Paul, thanks to our lack of a warrior culture. Due to the dominance of a citizen culture, it is evident that there is great difficulty for military in reconnecting with society when they return home from war. We see this in Speaking of Courage when Paul is remarking on how no one will speak to him about the war, even his father would not talk. (pg. 244) It was Independence Day, the war was over, (and for Paul) there was no place in particular to go. (pg. 243) OBrien remarks on many of the towns folk and their preparations for the evening and yet Paul chooses to hide (Dr. Decker) in his fathers Chevy. One who is more comfortable spending hours driving aimlessly on a summer holiday, dwelling on medals lost rather than joining in the festivities, can certainly not be deemed fully integrated back into society. As mentioned in class Pauls obsessive nature shows his intense need to talk about his experiences and his need for assurance that he was brave. Unfortunately, in our citizen culture, this is often not something that we are willing to listen to. Upon returning home, many of the members of our armed forces are and were viewed as spect...
