Run

"Run, I'd think. Then I'd think, Impossible. Then a second later I'd think, Run" (page 44). Often in life we are faced with difficult decisions. We must choose between what we are supposed to do and what we would like to do. We must also consider what is the right thing to do. However, the right thing to do, what we would like to do, and what we are supposed to do are often very different things. Sometimes it seems like the easy solution is just to run away and escape from it all. It seems like a good plan - to simply refuse to deal with our problems - but eventually reality catches up with us. We realize that we can not hide from all of our problems. Eventually, we must face the facts and choose a path to take. This is what O' Brien comes to understand. While he would prefer to simply leave his life behind and run away to Canada, he realizes he must go back to his life and face reality.