No Going Back

    After reading this part of "The Things They Carried" I realized the true severity of the effects of the Vietnam War and the almost incredulous effects it had on human nature.   I don't believe the story told of her coming to Vietnam, however I found the telling of her story to be amazingly descriptive despite its legitimacy. The "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" arrives in Vietnam as a innocent school teacher, however she is entranced by the violence and entire idea of war.  I think this story contributes greatly the over all image of Vietnam that Tim O'Brien attempts to convey.  I've concluded so far that this image is intended to be one of a war against environment and against insanity rather than a war against any actual enemy. As Mary Anne slowly becomes one with the violence and triviality of the war, I noticed the true power of war.  It can change a person's outlook and it can forever imprint violence in a human.  I also feel that this makes a statement about women in the war.  The soldiers find the story of Mary Anne to be incredulous because she is a woman and they have trouble in accepting that she was flown over.  Also, when Mary Anne arrives she begins working as a nurse figure, but as time goes on she strays from her set feminine role and becomes a "soldier" to an extent.