Why might the author ,Tim O’Brien, call himself a coward? It think its because he feels something something of a coward, its that simple. He knows he failed to stand up for what he believes in.

He failed to stand up for what he believed in that day on the Rainy River. When he had the choice between war and freedom, God and the Devil, Canada and the good ole’ USof A, or life and almost certain death! Well maybe that's a little much but you get my point.

Tim O’Brien was just a simple guy. He was fresh out of college and had a promising job at a meat factory spraying down slaughtered pigs. He had no reason at all to go to war. His whole life was in front of him and this war was not something he cared about but he was drafted none the less. This was not fair! Why not the rich senators kids? So now he had two choices. He could stay in the U.S., join the army, and fight in a war he didn't believe in or... go to Canada, only few hundred miles north, and live the rest of his days as a Kanook. But live free. And that is the important thing.

But what did our hero Tim O'Brien do on that day in the little boat on the Rainy River? He let his

fear of being called a pussy or a wimp, stop him from following what he believed in. He saw all

the people he ever knew on the bank of that river sneering at him and he let that stop him from

making that leap and that is why he thinks himself a coward

In conclusion Tim O'Brien thinks himself something of a coward because the did not follow what

he believes in and i agree completely agree. The biggest betrayal of yourself is to no follow your

princibles.