" 'So when can we go?' (pg 182)".In this part of the novel, O'Brien takes his daughter to Vietnam as a birthday gift. All the while, she puts on a brave face and enjoys the trip, but when the duo arrive at the swamp that killed Kiowa, Kathleen isn't so keen on the view and really just wants to leave. When I'm reading this, the only thought going through my head is how often this exact scene (give or take the location) has played out in my own life. On family vacations, if I'm not absolutely riveted by the view or the happenings, I'm always the first to ask when I will be put out of my misery. This may sound immature, but I'm the baby, so I always get away with it. This also made me realize how something simple can be of so much value to one person, but really just be another poop swamp to the other. Kathleen lacks so much appreciation for her surroundings because her father has protected her from the reality of it all. It kind of reminds me of Santa Claus. The child's parents lie to the child and tell him or her that Santa brought the gifts. The parents know that they will be loosing the appreciation the child is now so graciously giving to Santa, but it is to protect the child from the grim reality that the gift came from the K Mart down the street.
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