Reading #1, Question #3

[Robin B.]

O'Brien frequently uses repetition in his memoir, both in his diction
and syntax (the words he chooses and the way re arranges them) and in
motifs (recurring images or ideas whose pattern creates non-literal
meaning). One motif is legs. How are Martha's legs contrasted with
the "legs" (soldiers)?

[Emily Barnes]

Martha's legs are different than the 'legs' because they are innocent.
As O'Brian described them, "Her legs, he thought, were most certainly
the legs of a virgin," (O'Brian 4). A virgin is generally an innocent,
as yet not fully grown woman. The 'legs' (soldiers) might at one point
been virgin, but war had made then hard. War had made them grow up
fast and furious. Marthat's legs are different than the 'legs' because
she is still innocent.

On Jan 20, 1:41 pm, "Robin B." <brizendin...@gtest.lcps.k12.va.us>
wrote:

[Mesa]

I agree with Emily, Martha's legs are depicted as smooth and virgin-
like, " Her legs, he thought, were almost certainly the legs of a
virgin, dry and without hair," (O' Brien 4.) Martha was shown as a
sweet, innocent, young, clean virgin through the description of her
legs. The 'legs' (soldiers), were tough, dirty kids who had been
forced to grow up quickly therefore losing their boy like "virgin"
quality and becoming men.

On Feb 10, 8:30 pm, Emily Barnes <emilyrobinbar...@gmail.com> wrote: