Dillard And O Brien's Argumentative Essay

Intimacy plays a key role in both Dillard and O’Brien’s works; it sucks the readers into story and locks their attention. In both works, building intimacy is primarily achieved through the use of personal anecdotes. Written in first person point of view, the anecdotes make us feel as if the author is next to us, trying to share the experience and feelings of an important moment in their life. Both TTTC and PATC are utterly books of anecdotes, and this extensive use of anecdotes keeps the readers involved. From TTTC, chapter “On the Rainy River”, O’Brien writes, “This is one story I’ve never told before. Not to anyone. Not to my parents, not to my brother or sister, not even to my wife.” The act of confession, and stating how he hasn’t told anyone rapidly elevates the status of the readers; from a mere “reader” to someone even closer to O’Brien than his own family.
Instead of onlooking the event from the perspective of a spectator, who doesn’t come from the same cultural and social background as O’Brien, readers feel the fury, the embarrassment, and agony felt by O’Brien. This confession method is quite often used in TTTC. Aside of “On the Rainy River" there are some other parts in the book where O’Brien reveals his deep inner thoughts, things that he hasn’t told other people. For example, the story about his childhood love Linda and how he dreamt about her was a story that he found somewhat embarrassing to share. Sharing this embarrassing story, whilst shedding tears in our eyes, simultaneously builds the intimacy the O’Brien and us. The story of how he wasn’t able to handle the death of Linda creates a parallel with the soldiers in