On The Theme Of Initiation In Tim O’brien’s If I Die In A Combat Zone

As the longest war in American history, the Vietnam War has exerted a profound and lasting influence on American modern literature. American Vietnam War literature which focuses on the theme of the Vietnam War, accordingly, came into being. It has caught and will continue to catch critics’ attention. American critics began to study Vietnam War literature since the late1960s and have made lots of achievements till now. Chinese scholars, however, started to pay attention to it in the1990s and have obtained some success with the publishment of critical books, MA theses, and critical papers. They focus their attention mainly on the influence of the Vietnam War on the American soldiers and the whole American society. Some others focus on the writing techniques. Few works are dedicated to the theme of initiation, though. The famous Vietnam War novelist Tim O’Brien’s first novel, If I Die in a Combat Zone, has showed us the theme of initiation.Tim O’Brien has witnessed the Vietnam War by himself. If I Die in a Combat Zone is an autobiography. It is mainly about the author’s experiences and thoughts about the Vietnam War. Indulged in the war stories as a child, he had a sense of glory as for the war. However, after he went through the cruel and inhuman Vietnam War, he obtained more mature insights into the Vietnam War, American Society and life as well.The thesis is divided into4chapters. Chapter One mainly introduces Tim O’Brien and his works, especially his If I Die in a Combat Zone. Then it makes a brief introduction to literature review and the significance of this research and the layout of the thesis.Chapter Two focuses on the innocence before Tim O’Brien is drafted. This chapter falls into3parts. The first part gives a definition of initiation and innocence. The second part illustrates that Tim O’Brien regards the war as a glorious thing. And in the third part focuses on the author’s much interest in politics and society.Chapter Three is mainly about the author’s experience after he is drafted. The chapter is divided into4sections. Section1introduces the second phase of initiation, experience. Section2tells readers the author holds the view that the Vietnam War is inhuman. Section3and Section4mainly study Tim O’Brien’s attitudes toward life and human. He holds that life is invaluable and people should be positive towards themselves and others. The last chapter is conclusion. It makes a summary of the thesis and then shows readers the limitations and further study.