Tuesday, April 29, 2008

What do you guys think about Henry Dobbins still wrapping his girlfriend's pantyhose around his neck, even after she broke up with him? Does it symbolize or represent the way the soldiers clung to memories and things from home to comfort them, or is it just creepy?

17 comments:

Knightley said...

I think that happy memories are the only thing that is allowing these guys to keep what little sanity that they have left. They just want to think that there is something to go home to. It is not creepy because....well....I just don't see how carrying pantyhose around his neck is really that creepy. I mean one guy is carrying around a finger and that seems creepier to me than the pantyhose.

Anonymous said...

Maybe they were like his lucky game shirt--or maybe they were a reminder of where he was supposed to be and what he should have been doing--and nylons really don't weigh much when you are considering the weight of the things they caried.

ballerina princess said...

You guys are right...I just thought that was kinda weird, maybe even stalker-ish. But since the guy is at war, things like change...it is definitely not as weird as the thumb.

ballerina princess said...

*things like that change...maybe at war it isn't as weird as it would be if someone did that at BHS.

Han Solo said...

Sentimentality can remain with objects even if the emotional tie to a person or memory is severed. Even though he no longer is in a relationship with that girl, he still is attached to the comfort that the pantyhose gave him.

Anonymous said...

I do not find it that creepy at all. In a terrible situation like that they have to cling to anything that brings good memories. Also, altough they broke up it does not mean that the feelings for her are just completely gone.

kat_09 said...

Maybe the guy just got use to them. Sorta like you still wear a baseball hat even if your not on the team. There may not being anything creepy or symbolized about these pantyhose, it may just be one of the only things left he has and he would be d***ed if he would leave them behind.

chad said...

i think that the panyhose was his good luck charm. In the book there is a part where it specifically says that he carries it around for good luck because he had been in so many dangerous situations and i think at one point he was shot and nothing ever happened to him so he assumed it was the panty hose. even after he broke up with his girlfriend he was scared to take them off because something might happen to him- i dont think they have any sentamental value of attachment with his girlfriend.

Chazz Michael Michaels said...

henry dobbins used the panty hose as a security blanket that gave him courage and a fearless attitude in battle. they gave him something to trust and believe in. they gave him somehting constant to trust and acted as a reference point for sanity in his constantly changing and uncontrollable environment.

Pam Beesly said...

I do not find it creepy. I actually liked that part of the story. It almost seemed happy. I agree that Dobbins held on to the pantyhose becuase of memories and sentimental reasons but I also think that he found pride in it because it was his way of controlling the situation that he was in. In a place like Vietnam, everyday is a surprise. You never know what is going to happen next. Everything is out of your control. I think that Henry Dobbin's faith in the pantyhose was kind of his way of trying to get a grip on things. So that he would have control over his safety and his life. Even if it was just a superstitious control.
-Does that make any sense to anyone else?

Beyonce said...

He's just hanging onto something that keeps his mind off war.

Gimmeguac! said...

honestly, i think the way they hold on to their memories is the only way that they can make it through the day. yeah the object of choice is a little strange but, let the man hold on to his memories. its all he's got holding him together!!

snorkle!!! said...

I definitely think it is just a comfort to him. He is trying to remain sane by clinging to memories of home; its all he has in the harsh environment of Vietnam.

Rebel Without an "H" said...

I believe it is to keep him sane because if I was out in the war and my girlfriend broke up with me I would go insane. Like said before, Vietnam is a harsh place and you need memories from home to keep you alive.

ChocolateLover said...

I don't think it's creepy. It's just something that reminded him of home and the way things used to be. I think it was obvious that he loved his girlfriend so of course he would still want to hold on to her memory, especially in the postition he was in, being in the war and all. It was kind of a security blanket for him; it made him feel safe.

HammyWammy said...

Being in the war in a dangerous place could make people do crazy thing like henry who put his ex-girlfriend pantyhose maybe it is his comfort even it is creepy to others.

Robert Allen said...

Maybe this guy just want a memory from home. It's not like any one is really complaining so just let be comfortable. If i were Fletcher i would Bring a blow-up doll cause thats what he is comfortable with.