Chapter 16: Notes

What is the effect of “Notes”, in which O'Brien explains the story behind “Speaking Of Courage”? Does your appreciation of the story change when you learn which parts are “true” and which are the author's invention?

• The notes has a very vivid and unusual affect. In a practical war story, the author would not describe the false details nor admit to such action. This brings in a new found appreciation because of his honesty. There are so much controversy for telling stories like these because no one really knows what was made up for entertainment and what was a memory. “Guys sniveling about how they didn't get any parades. Such absolute crap. I mean, who in his right mind wants a parade? Or getting his back clapped by a bunch of patriotic idiots who don't know jack about what it feels like to kill people or get shot at or sleep in the rain or watch your buddy go down underneath the mud? Who needs it?” (O’Brien)

Why does O'Brien include Norman's letter in the story?

• The letter was incorporated into the story to further describe his character. “Norman Bowker's letter hit me hard. For years I'd felt a certain smugness about how easily I had made the shift from war to peace. A nice smooth glide—no flashbacks or midnight sweats. The war was over, after all.” (O’Brien)It was to show his feeling, his way of thinking, and showing his inner personal being. Not just a showfront that other people see in war.

What does O'Brien say about storytelling in “Notes”?

• O’Brien says storytelling is like a ‘recall’ for his memories. “By telling stories, you objectify your own experience. You separate it from yourself. You pin down certain truths. You make up others. You start sometimes with an incident that truly happened, like the night in the shit field, and you carry it forward by inventing incidents that did not in fact occur but that nonetheless help to clarify and explain.” (O’BrienIt is to keep them fresh, even though they may be altered at times, the most important facts are the ones that become consistent throughout the variety of times he repeats them.

Reflection:

Notes was a very interesting chapter. I have always had my doubts of certain war stories, especially if there wasn’t any living witnesses to confirm or deny a fact. This scepticism I have had always accumulated, especially in this book, therefore, when this chapter was reached, it threw me off guard but in a trusting way. I was told which parts of the story were true and which were false. This was also admitted by the author that in writing these stories, it keeps the memories fresh in his mind.