Pooja Patel
Ms. Storm
E208: Period 4
30 April 2018
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
"I don't know what it is. You have to touch it. There's something about touching it” (Kenneth Young). The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a U.S. national memorial in Washington D.C, which was completed on November 13, 1982. Maya Lin is the designer responsible for creating one of the most moving monuments in the nation’s capital. The memorial consists of three sections: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, the Vietnam Women's Memorial, and the Three Servicemen Memorial. Inscribed on the memorial wall are the service members of the U.S armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War, those who died, and those who were unaccounted for during the war. In addition to the memorial wall, the women’s statue depicts the role of nurses during the war and the men’s statue buttresses the unity amongst the soldiers. Throughout the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Maya Lin utilizes symbolism and appeals to pathos and logos to emphasize the importance of the individuals’ service and sacrifice in the Vietnam War, thus elucidating the presence of bravery in times of distress.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is based off the Vietnam War. “The Vietnam War was a long, costly and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States” (history.com Staff). The war lasted for 20 years, yet it was very unpopular because the war “undermined the foundations of the dominant position on the international area” (Guisepi). “The causes of the Vietnam War revolve around the simple belief held by America that communism was threatening to expand all over south-east Asia" (Trueman). The United States provided military and economic support to the anti-communist forces in South Vietnam. However, North Vietnam ended up winning and Vietnam wound up becoming communist. The war ruined both parts of Vietnam and infrastructure was devastated because of the 8 million bombs dropped on Vietnam. Additionally, “More than 3 million people (including over 58,000 Americans) were killed in the Vietnam War, and more than half of the dead were Vietnamese civilians” (A+E. Networks). The toll in suffering and sorrow could never be tabulated and no one ever wanted to see America so divided again. The recognition of these veterans was crucial, therefore Maya Lin designed one of the most impactful monuments in America.
Maya Lin, the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, “…was born in Ohio in 1959 and was the daughter of Chinese immigrants, who fled their homeland in 1948, not long before the 1949 Communist takeover” (A + E TV Networks). Maya Lin was interested in construction at a very young age, which led her on to study architecture and sculpture at Yale University. During her senior year, she won a nationwide competition, therefore her design for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was chosen. After her success with the design, Maya Lin decided to attend Yale School of Architecture and created other memorials such as the Civil Rights Memorial. Similar to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, “ the Civil Rights Memorial was a memorial in Alabama to 41 people who died in the struggle for the equal and integrated treatment of all people, regardless of race… and invites visitors to touch the engraved names" (SPLC). Maya Lin includes similar themes in her creations that are easily noticed throughout her memorials and monuments. She attempts to make the monuments slightly more personal to the families, which serves as one of her main attributes when she construct monuments. Her monuments represent events that have left a mark on America and are dedicated to those that have sacrificed their life.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 1982. “It was dedicated in Washington after a march to its site by thousands of veterans of the conflict" (A + E Networks). The “Three Soldiers” statue was added in 1984 while the Vietnam Women's Memorial was opened in 1993. The dedication of the women's statue gave women a sense of hope in their country. Prior to the war, patriarchy was in existence but during the war, women played a significant role, thus making women feel important when the memorial included a dedication to the nurses. Regardless, much controversy formed within the memorial itself. “Veterans groups decried the lack of patriotic or heroic symbols often seen on war memorials and complained that it seemingly honored only the fallen and not the living veterans" (Klein). To add, "the artist's architectural design was controversial due to particular aspects, such as the dark complexion of the marble" (Wolfson). The controversy tried to be solved and explained, but some individuals still believed the problems were not addressed. Regardless of the controversy, the memorial still proved to be very successful in its message and dedication through different techniques.
By incorporating an appeal to pathos within the Vietnam Women's statue, Maya Lin exemplifies the drastic struggles of both sexes during the war to delineate their strength, as well as agony. The Vietnam Women's Memorial honors women's patriotic service during the war. The statue is placed beside the male soldiers on the hallowed grounds of the memorial. The monument serves as the first tangible symbol of honor for American women. The monument is described as, “a 2,000 pound bronze structure that stands 15 feet tall and depicts three women attending to a wounded soldier” (Washington DC). The statue comprises of "bronze" material and bronze has a tendency to symbolize suffering. Maya Lin utilizes bronze to explain how the war brought numerous hardships upon the people, in this way gaining pity from the visitors. Furthermore, the way that the statue weighs "2000 pounds" and stands "15 feet tall" shows the gigantic size of the ladies' statue. The huge size mirrors the shocking circumstance of the Vietnam war, as its effects were tremendous on the loss of life and the framework, subsequently underlining the presence of radical struggles. Additionally, the large size of the statue further symbolizes the huge role women played during the war. Their ability to give benefit amid the war unveils their valiance and valor, since they are willing to hazard their life to save others. To add, “the woman that is standing in the memorial looks up” (VWMF). The fact that the standing woman looks upward suggests that she is searching for assistance from above, such as from a helicopter, or perhaps even god. The nurses are relying on god, which reveals their desperation, expounding the idea that war ignites dreadful situations. The frantic situation incites sympathy inside the guests, which fills in as the architect's motivation while using pathos. Another woman “attends to a wounded soldier.” The nurse’s slouchy position illustrates her hopelessness, which alludes to the agony and pain present. However, her facial expression still remains nonpartisan, which highlights the nurse’s strength and perseverance through the enduring battle, thus illuminating her courage, as she is not giving the wounds a chance to debilitate her. Moreover, “the wounded soldier’s face is half-covered by a bandage” (VWMF), which proves how he's injured. His injury foreshadows the bravery amongst the soldiers because it illustrates how the soldiers are willing to sacrifice their life for the sake of their country. By utilizing pathos within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in particular the women’s statue, Lin reinforces the tragedy of the war, which underscores the strength and bravery of the individuals, since they served in appalling conditions. In addition to pathos, the designer also uses logos to foreshadow the causes for the great number of deaths.
Maya Lin utilizes logos in the 58,000 names to commemorate the great number of lives lost, thus underlining the soldiers’ heroism, despite the brutality of war. The Memorial Wall chronologically lists the names of more than 58,000 Americans who have fought in the Vietnam War. Visitors can see their reflection through the engraved names, which almost allows the visitors to place themselves in the past, in the situation of the Veterans. "Inscribed on the black granite walls are the names of the men and women who gave their lives or remain missing" (VVMF). The color “black” displays a symbol of grief and represents an unpleasant situation, therefore Maya Lin utilizes the “black” shade to connect it to the dire situation of the war. Additionally, the way that the exact number of names are recorded on the commemoration wall demonstrates how the memorial wall stands as a statistic of how many soldiers passed away during the war. Maya Lin utilizes logos within the 58,000 names to emphasize the truth behind war and its horrendous effects on the individuals, thus illustrating the brutality of war. Furthermore, the number 58,000, underlines the copious amount of soldiers that were willing to sacrifice their life for war, which discloses the soldiers’ bravery and heroism in times of torment. By listing the full names of the deceased Veterans within the memorial wall, Maya Lin provides plentiful examples to prove her argument regarding the soldiers’ sacrifice. The credibility of her argument can further be proven by the visitors, as they can verify their loved ones’ death. Guests can see their appearance through the engraved names, which nearly enables the guests to put themselves before, in the circumstance of the Veterans. The utilization of names brings out recollections, which makes the soldiers significantly more practical and particular. Similarly, Maya Lin utilizes the years listed on the memorial wall to accentuate the long span of the Vietnam war, which additionally represents the ruthlessness of the war. The longevity of the war further demonstrates the soldiers’ gallantry, as it proves that the soldiers are able to bear and endure the abiding war. Through the utilization of logos, Maya Lin illuminates the reality behind war and its effects. War provokes individuals to surrender themselves for their country, and Maya Lin alludes to logos to highlight the great number of brave individuals that did. Maya Lin, also, illustrates the situation of the war through the usage of symbolism within the “three servicemen” statue.
Maya Lin uses symbolism within the “three servicemen” statue to depict the different groups engaged in the war, thus portraying the unification and boldness of America under deep struggles. The Three Servicemen statue is created to complement the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The memorial’s main purpose is to portray the major ethnic groups during the Vietnam War, standing as a representation of what exactly occurred during the conflict. “The sculpture's 3 soldiers represent the diversity of the US military by including a Caucasian, African American, and Latino American” (VVMF). The soldiers’ absence of wrinkles and other maturing features portrays how they are young men battling in war. Moreover, the soldiers are wearing a war uniform and are holding weapons, which characterizes these young men as harsher than typical youth. These young soldiers diverge with the ideal picture of an innocent youth, thus demonstrating the boldness of the American soldiers that will forfeit their fleeting life for their nation. Also present near the statue is “a flagpole that flies the American flag” (VVMF). The American flag symbolizes solidarity, so it is set close to the soldiers to illustrate how America is united in the midst of war. The unification is apparent in the memorial when Maya Lin incorporates the diverse ethnicities, a Caucasian, African American, and Latino American. The fact that a sense of unity exists clarifies how America is significantly more grounded because everyone is willing to take bullets for each other, which uncovers their dauntlessness. To further emphasize, the soldiers are placing their hands on each other’s backs, which also unveils their sense of unity. By supporting each other, they give each other a feeling of certainty, which enables them to be more fearless on the front line. In addition, the soldiers’ stern outward appearances explicate the absence of anxiety inside them. Besides their stern appearances, the soldiers’ “strong, muscular bodies” (VVMF) also accentuate how the soldiers have the power to defy fears, thus elucidating how the soldiers can conquer challenges. Their capacity to challenge fear exhibits their vailance and heroism. By symbolizing the exact situation during the Vietnam war, Maya Lin emphasizes the presence of unity amongst the soldiers. The unity contributes to their bravery as it makes the group stronger and indestructible.
By employing an appeal to pathos, an appeal to logos, and symbolism, Maya Lin explicitly illustrates the significance of the men and women's service and sacrifice in the Vietnam war. All three parts of the memorial effectively allude to the veterans’ bravery during the war. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial has gained much controversy over the years, but overall, the memorial has been used to help families get closure for their loved ones. The memorial stands as a symbol of honor and recognition for the individuals that served and risked their life in the war.
Works Cited:
“Vietnam Veterans Memorial (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm.
“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Page.” The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Page, thewall-usa.com/.
“Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedicated.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/vietnam-veterans-memorial-dedicated.
Klein, Christopher. “The Remarkable Story of Maya Lin's Vietnam Veterans Memorial.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 10 Mar. 2016, www.biography.com/news/maya-lin-vietnam-veterans-memorial.
“About The Wall.” Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, www.vvmf.org/memorial.
Guisepi. “Vietnam War.” VIETNAM WAR, history-world.org/vietnam_war.htm.
Spector, Ronald H. “Vietnam War.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 11 Jan. 2018, www.britannica.com/event/Vietnam-War.
“Visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.” Washington.org, 21 Mar. 2018, washington.org/DC-guide-to/vietnam-veterans-memorial.