Art of the Vietnam War

While considering how ‘Gods Go Begging’ gives us an insight into the geography of the Vietnam war and the psychology of the soldiers participating in it, I thought it would be interesting to look at art to supplement this.

 

Though the pieces featured in both videos are of many different scenes and various styles, I believe they share some similar characteristics. For example, unlike in the book, most of the violence appears to take place during the day time, juxtaposing the death and destruction with a colorful tropical landscape. Many Vietnamese characters also appear in the paintings, but they do not appear to be particularly threatening; if shown, they appear mostly as mirror images of the Americans, young boys in uniform, or innocent civilians. This relates to the social unrest surrounding the war and the arguments about the morality of it.

Comments

Art of the Vietnam War — 3 Comments

  1. While examining the characters in “Gods Go Begging,” I think it is important to look upon the very real consequences that result from combat in war. Personally, my brother was in the military when 9/11 occurred, so he had to fly overseas during a time that was initially deemed “peace-time.” After my brother completed his years in the military, I can honestly say he is a changed man. He is much more serious, masculine, impatient, etc. Although I love my brother very much, it makes me look at the military differently. I am not sure if I would wish for anyone to enlist, but I think to try to understand the sometimes “rude” behavior with empathy.

    http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-overview.html

  2. It’s great that you decided to share these artistic representations of the Vietnam war. I’m very interested in art and I think these images faithfully capture what it meant to be involved in that conflict: the excitement, the gore, the desperation, the incredible machinery and the human solidarity amid the violence. I agree with David, these artists really depicted Vietnam’s territory, its climate and the difficult jungle, beautifully. You can really see how disorienting the setting of this war was; how the heat,the humidity and the untamed nature would make this even more dangerous for the soldiers. I think Vea’s decision to set most scenes concerning the war during the night time works because it adds to the mysterious and menacing atmosphere of this gothic novel. However, for visual representations, I think seeing the action take place during the day has a stronger impact because it makes the violence even more conspicuous, almost inescapable. I particularly enjoyed a picture in the first video (0:33) of two American soldiers with skin that looks almost like stone, a flag waving behind. This image interested me because it almost look like those young men were monuments, symbols of the thousands of casualties on both sides. The artists did a great job at immortalizing and honoring the victims of this war.

  3. I liked the notion of solidarity that Carla raised in her response, as I think this is a major part of Vietnam as well as Gods Go Begging. As Vietnam was controversial and ill-received on the home front, the necessity of soldiers sticking together, and finding comfort in one another was crucial. Personally, my dad was drafted and fought in Vietnam, and he has told me much about how soldiers were perceived upon their arrival back in the United States (which was more often than not, not very complimentary). Within Gods Go Begging, solidarity is a major element, although maybe not at first look. Originally finishing the book, Jesse seems alienated from everyone, even himself at times — however, it is Jesse’s remembrance of his soldiers and his relationship with his fellow veterans, that allow him to break his “stone” like personality,and finally return to one of sensitivity and intimacy.

    Further, it is images such as Jesse’s jade and dogtags that relate back to this notion of how solidarity was an essential element in Jesse’s recovery. His dogtags bring him peace and comfort, as he remembers how his time in Vietnam was more terrifying than anything he could possibly experience within the United States, in a “regular” life.