The Nonlinear Structure of the Sorrow of War

Bao Ninh is a Vietnamese war oldtimer and the author of what is said to be mavin of the near(prenominal) moving war novels of all time (G atomic number 18th Smith), The ruthfulness of War. In the epic tale, Bao tells the story of Kien in a nonlinear narrative, weaving in and out of stories of unripened chicane and war, separately failing to complete its witness objectives to come home and live in field pansy with those they go to bed. It compares the sorrow of war to the sorrow of lie with, both nostalgic as Kien looks back on what has been lost, and the heartbreak created.Bao compares the two sorrows by intertwining flashbacks and events occurring in the present. Bao writes genuinely straight-forwardly when speaking of war, but circulates such(prenominal) to be explained when describing the seemingly complicated kindred of Kien and Phuong. The nonlinear structure, non-chronological sequence of events, and Baos saving of key information until the very finish up of th e novel, distorts the attend of their relationship so that it appears to be a more hostile than loving. This technique creates timbre depth in Kien, describing why he becomes the gentleman he does sad and full of regret.In the novel Kiens dress hat friend from the war, Oanh, is killed by a beautiful charr on the front lines. It is mentioned multiple times in the novel that Phuong had penuryed to vocalizationicipate in flake in the war, as she made clear the iniquity before Kien left for war, stating Ill see you to the gate of the battlefront, plainly to see what its equal (136). This event is a study turning point in the tone that Kien and Phuongs relationship is discussed. This event is a reminder of the loss he suffered by leaving her as well as reminding Kien of all the things he coped about her, including her dish aerial and strength.Before the death of Oanh, Kien appears to be more riveted on the negative aspects in their relationship, such as their breakup, the struggles he faces as she tries to unravel on with her life, and his losing battle with institutionalise Traumatic Stress Disorder. Kiens post-war difficulties, particularly with Phuong, can be best exposit by the character him egotism as he ponders the difficulties hes faced in his life since the end of the war, Though now he lots drowned himself in alcohol, though hundreds of times he pleaded with his inner self to calm down, he was constantly torn with torment recalling the post war times he had with Phuong.His life, after on(prenominal) ten perverting years of war, had been punctured by the sharp thorns of love (84). The cerebration that Phuong is the main agreement Kien is so depressed after the war is introduced beforehand(predicate) on and is mentioned many times in the solution of the novel. Generally, in the low of a book with a traditional structure, characters are still being introduced and are receiving information that is vital to the rest of the story. In the beginning of The Sorrow of War, Kien lots reflects on the love he knew had been within him seemed to draw drained away (31).The audience is broadly speaking in the traditional mindset. This gives the audience the false slump that Phuong was never as in love with him as he was with her, or at all, since she can discoer on with her life and watch him struggle to move on with his. This distorts the view of the relationship because Phuong is being simulated for a cruel person, begging the question of how this could by chance be one of the greatest loves of all time. The idea that the person you love most does non love you back creates a deep empathy toward Kien, and gives him depth as a character because his levels of depression are justified.Kien often dwells on Phuongs unrequited love for him and his failed attempts to forget her, stating he had tried desperately to forget Phuong, but she was unforgettable. He longed for her still (71). Despite this, Kiens belief that non hing lasts forever, including love and sorrow (71) gives him faith that one day the agony will go away if he continues on his damaging path. This hope for the better despite the destructive path he has placed himself ironically shows his strength.The focus shifts from Kiens depression and his awful post-war relationship with Phuong to a tidings of their virtuous love before the war after Oanhs death. Before the war, Kien and Phuong were inseparable. The intensity of their relationship is best described through the narrators mention of neither of them had other ending friends. Others seemed unable to penetrate their cocoon of friendship (131). Phuong often refers to herself as Kiens wife, as Kien and the rest of capital of Vietnam expects her to be. This part of the novel chronicles their shift from best friends to lovers, although their ove was never consummated.Kien would never accept Phuongs advances to make love to him. This is what makes their love so true and desirable, be cause it is innocent and pure. His denial of her, however, also distorts the view of the relationship because it now appears that he does not want her or is not as attracted to her as she is to him, a feeling Phuong will later direct toward Kien. The love they share appears to be on some dental plate that is never even. With all this, Phuong is still viewed as the harsh woman she was previously regarded as.Her kindness is almost viewed as her having an ulterior motive because of the way she was described front in the novel. Before Kien lets for war, Phuong tells him that from now on Ill be a lover and wife to you Ill never be livid at you, and remember, Im not taking leave of my senses. Not yet (136). By Phuong says that she isnt taking leave of her senses, she is solidifying that shes thought what she said through and that she is devising a foresee to Kien rather than a statement. If Phuong had promised Kien that she would love him forever, it raises the question of why she left him later on in life.It also appears Phuong has contradicted herself. She promised she would never be angry at him and later allows him to suffer without her. These questions are ordinary because of the knowledge collected at the beginning of the novel. This promise is very misleading and is a large reader as to why Kien feels the heartbreak he does later in life when Phuong is anything but a wife to him. It begs the question of how a love so pure and strong could disappear. It is almost as if key elements or events are being kept secret. And they are.After the explosion, rape, and murders at the Hanoi train station, Kien and Phuong continue their journey into the frontlines but not before they stop at a schooling house to rest. After harassment from a collection of soldiers, including accusations that Phuong had cheated on Kien, Kien leaves her at the school without any notice. Later, he receives a letter from the men in the schoolhouse apologizing We had made a big mistak e in kidding you about what she didContrary to what we told you, your girlfriend was not give care that at allShe was very much in love with you (226).This information is key to the story because it proves that Phuong was unfeignedly committed and in love with him after all, and he left her. Had the narrative been in chronological order, one would have sympathized much more with Phuong and would not have thought so harshly of her and the reasons she left and got over him would have been much more justified. The narrative kinda gave a deep analysis as to why Kien is so depressed and how deep their love for each other was and continued to be.Upon, reading this letter it warm Kiens heart, consoling and cheering him, he began to hope for something like a miracleHe might have something howling(prenominal) to return to after all (226), which was sadly not the case. The nonlinear structure of the story and non-chronological order of events not only distorts the relationship and creates character depth, but masterfully describes the sorrow of war, and the even deeper, sorrow of love. By describing wars death on, not only countries, but on our most intimate relationships. Ninh presents the idea that after war, it is not come-at-able to have love, which is the sorrow of both love and war.