Russian Roulette Symbolism

Rating: 8/10 (15 December 2013)

#1. The symbolism for the Russian Roulette sequences. What was the director trying to get at? Do you agree or disagree with his concept? Nick's infatuation with Russian Roulette comes from the game of Russian Roulette he played with Mike to save their lives. After the two become separated, Nick is left in Vietnam with nothing to do. Suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, he becomes interested in playing Russian Roulette for money. In a sense, it becomes the only thing he knows, and something he is used to, thus he keeps playing. This symbolizes America's quest for war, because Post- World War II America was still shell-shocked, but had grown accustomed to war. Therefore, America tried to spread Western Democracy to places where we didn't necessarily have to get involved. Yet, just like Nicky and Russian Roulette, America keeps loading the gun, and putting their lives on the line, because it's the only thing America knows. I completely agree with the concept, because our infatuation with patriotism becomes a mandatory quest to prove ourselves in the only way we know.