Compare Private First Class Paul Berlin from "Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?" and Russell from "About Russell"
How are these characters similar? How are they different? How do you think these characters might interact if they had the opportunity? How do you think they would act if suddenly transplanted to the twentv-first century? Be sure to include direct references to the traits of the characters leaned through the stories.
Private First Class Paul Berlin from "Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?" and Russell from "About Russell" have some similarities and differences in terms of their personalities and experiences.
Firstly, both characters are portrayed as feeling overwhelmed and insecure about their roles in their respective situations. Paul is a young soldier in Vietnam who becomes paralyzed with fear during a night mission, while Russell is a college student who feels like he doesn't fit in with his peers and struggles with his sexual orientation. Both characters are also quite introspective and reflective, with Paul often getting lost in his thoughts and Russell narrating his own story in a very reflective manner.
However, there are also some important differences between the two characters. Paul is a soldier who has been exposed to the horrors of war, while Russell's struggles are more internal and personal. Paul is also more passive than Russell, often going along with the actions of his fellow soldiers and feeling like he has lost control over his own fate. Russell, on the other hand, is more proactive in seeking out a sense of belonging and acceptance from others.
If they were to interact, it's possible that they might have some common ground in terms of feeling like outsider figures. However, Paul may be more hesitant to open up to Russell about his experiences in war, while Russell may struggle to understand the intensity of Paul's trauma.
If suddenly transplanted to the twenty-first century, both characters might feel quite outdated in terms of their perspectives and experiences. Paul would likely struggle to comprehend the technological advances and social changes of modern times, while Russell may find more acceptance and support for his sexual orientation than he would have in the past.
Overall, while Paul and Russell share some similarities in terms of their introspective nature and feelings of insecurity, their experiences and reactions to their situations are quite distinct from each other.