While reading the beginning of this novel, or the first twelve pages as the reading division required, one item one man, Lee Strunk, carried with him struck me.
"Lee Strunk carried a slingshot; a weapon of last resort, he called it (pg 7)."
I am not aware as to whether or not this connection is one I formulated so that I would have something to write a blog on or it is a connection purposefully entwined in the reading. Still, in my mind, there is a deeper meaning to the character's possession of a slingshot. In the story of David and Goliath, David is a mere shepherdboy who, through his faith in God, defeats the mighty Goliath with a rock and slingshot to save his people.
Similarly, the men who fought in the Vietnam War were and are still seen as heroes who attempted to protect our nation against a dangerous enemy. Also, the idea that these American men could go to a foreign country astronomically different from their own and win a war could be seen as a task as lofty as that of killing the mighty Goliath. With the Vietcong using war tactics such as guerrilla warfare and rigging everyday objects with deadly bombs, the fact that the Vietnam War ended as badly for the Americans as it did is of little surprise, but the bravery these men possessed would be enough to make David a proud man.
"Lee Strunk carried a slingshot; a weapon of last resort, he called it (pg 7)."
I am not aware as to whether or not this connection is one I formulated so that I would have something to write a blog on or it is a connection purposefully entwined in the reading. Still, in my mind, there is a deeper meaning to the character's possession of a slingshot. In the story of David and Goliath, David is a mere shepherdboy who, through his faith in God, defeats the mighty Goliath with a rock and slingshot to save his people.
Similarly, the men who fought in the Vietnam War were and are still seen as heroes who attempted to protect our nation against a dangerous enemy. Also, the idea that these American men could go to a foreign country astronomically different from their own and win a war could be seen as a task as lofty as that of killing the mighty Goliath. With the Vietcong using war tactics such as guerrilla warfare and rigging everyday objects with deadly bombs, the fact that the Vietnam War ended as badly for the Americans as it did is of little surprise, but the bravery these men possessed would be enough to make David a proud man.
I love that illustration of the soldier at the top of your blog. Where did you find it?
ReplyDeleteI just looked up david and goliath on google. It was pretty easy
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