Breaking points -

     It's an interesting thing they speak of, when the characters are talking about breaking points. They talk about how every man has one. They also talk about things get confused out in war. Some of the things they get confused in war according to the characters were morality, and human nature. Morality is something that Tim O'Brien talks about in The Things They Carry. For instance on the rainy river, the protagonist is conflicted by weather or not he should flee to Canada or if he should go to war. It's a tough decision for anyone to make. It's a moral decision that someone has to make too. Do they believe in the war? Do they think it's wrong to flee? Do they think it's right to go? All of these questions are questions Tim O'Brien talks about. War is not an easy thing to be absolute about. I think no one can be absolute about war. That's what makes it confusing. In addition, when they are describing the rogue officer sort of reminded me of Mary Anne and the greenies in Sweetheart of Tra Sa Bong. Mary Anne had gone off to fight like a savage, following no real army, or nation in a way. I think the common theme between the rogue in Apocalypse Now  and Mary Anne is that they have started fighting the war for themselves. They stopped fighting the war for the usual reasons people go to war such as for their nation or the good of the world or for resources. They talk about how every man has a breaking point, as I mentioned. Perhaps it is not a breaking point with Mary Anne and the rogue officer. Perhaps, it is more of a freeing point. A point where they can be their own person, where they have some control of the surroundings, but at the same time no control. Apocalypse Now for me sort of reinforces, and validates a lot of the ideas in The Things They Carry. It's not that I do not believe the ideas in The Things They Carry, but it's nice to see someone reinforce them and make it that much more real.