American Sniper by Chris Kyle is a story about a man who follows his dreams no matter what it costs him, who is ready to put everything at stake for his country’s sake. This autobiography is not going to be to everyone’s liking, for Chris is just a human even though the man is extremely brave and loyal. His views might seem too radical, but the readers shouldn’t forget that the man is a SEAL. This is his philosophy and he prefers to stick to it.
Chris often repeats that Texas has had a real impact on his personality. This is the place where he learns what patriotism and family values are. Traditionalism defines him as well as his life. Just like many other young men who look for a way to serve their country, Chris decides to join the army. This decision says a lot about stoicism of his character.
Every war is ugly. It has nothing to do with those old tales of brave knights and dragons; it is about real people and genuine suffering. Chris is convinced that those people killed by him are an embodiment of evil. They are his enemies, what is more they are enemies of his home country which he has vowed to protect. The way he speaks about Iraqis who are not too fond of the fact that USA interferes in their domestic policy shows how little does he think of them. However, it should be mentioned that his enemies don’t sing his praises too. It is mutual hatred.
Chris Kyle says that his main priority is to be a SEAL. However, he has reached the point in which being a SEAL stops defying him. Sever post-traumatic stress disorder, family issues caused by his long absence during which his wife has to deal with all the problems on her own, and many other factors make him rethink his priorities. The saddest thing is that Chris doesn’t get a chance to enjoy his new life.
Murder of Chris Kyle by a soldier who suffers from PTSD should attract the society’s attention to brutality and physical as well as psychological abuse that reign in the army. As if it is not enough that soldiers have to cope with a terrifying amount of stress, they are being constantly terrorized. The barbaric customs that flourish in the army shouldn’t be neglected by the officers and human right activists. We don’t live in the Middle Ages anymore to consider that violence normality. The number of soldiers suffering from PTSD increases every year. More often than not we hear terrible stories about them committing suicide or attempting to put an end to it. The truth is that it is not easy to adjust to “normal” life after the horrors you have seen. Chris manages to improve his life, only to die at hands of another traumatized soldier. It is not fair that we, people of the 21st century, haven’t developed enough empathy and understanding to learn how to solve the issues without military conflicts.
