CSL

“Spin” explores the idea of controlling reality and memory through story. Write a blog entry explaining how this is explored in this chapter. Be sure to explain concepts using detail and commentary.

     A “spin” is a way to tell a story from a certain viewpoint.  Sometimes spins are used by the media and politicians.   Throughout the chapter ironically named, “Spin”, uses this concept to not elude from the truth but to tell the truth from a different view point through using diction.  In the novel it reads, “On occasions the war was like a Ping-Pong ball.  You could put fancy spin on it, you could make it dance.”  Now that O’Brien has captured us in the novel he could tell us that blue elephants were responsible for the Viet Nam war.  This is what O’Brien wants is to tell us his story about the war, not necessarily the facts but his story.  O’Brien puts a “spin” on the chapter by talking about remembering writing at his home after the war.  This sets a comfort level which makes us like it more, we have all sat in our house thinking about our memories but not all of us have experienced war.  Now that O’Brien has us hooked he can tell the story any way he wants too and like Mr. Z said he will begin to mess with our head.

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