Comparing Phantom Pain 'And Fish Stories'

Fiction and reality are very similar to each other. Reality is the state in which things happen in a real-world situation. Fiction deals with perception without considering what can happen in a real-life situation. The story “Playing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain” by Jamil Jan Kochi blurs the lines between reality and fiction through the reliving of the Afghan-Soviet War. Similarly, the story written by Janika Oza, titled, “Fish Stories” depicts the day the main character’s dead brother returns home and how real it felt to their mother. Elements of fiction are heavily present within these two stories, but the characters make these instances very real. These stories blend fiction and reality seamlessly, making it hard to discern what …show more content…

He constantly acknowledges that everything he is experiencing or re-living is all within the game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. When trying to complete his mission in the game, Zoya constantly takes note of his health bar and how much damage his character sustained. In addition to utilizing fiction throughout, both stories balance the characters' imaginations with a feeling of reality. The narrator of “Fish Stories” is aware of and accepts the fact that their brother is dead. When speaking to their mother, the narrator tells her, “My brother is dead. Let me sleep” (Oza, 4). The narrator stating their brother is dead acts as a reminder to their mother about the reality of the situation. The narrator is implying to their mother that their brother can't come back and a reminder that he died years ago. Similarly, while playing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Zoya is reminded of reality through his family members. His family members are constantly knocking at his door, reminding him to improve his …show more content…

Despite both stories being grounded in reality, the acceptance of what is real and what is fantasy varies for each character. Although the narrator in “Fish Stories” can differentiate reality from fiction, they still play into their mother’s fantasy. The narrator enables her fantasy by placing the clothes next to their mother and asking “...why he was wet.” The narrator is making it difficult to differentiate reality from the mother's fantasy. However, Zoya has a better understanding of discerning reality and fiction. Zoya is constantly aware that everything is happening through the video game depicted on the “To be saved” screen. Although what he experiences reflects the real experiences of his father, some aspects keep him grounded in reality. The black screen shown toward the end of the game also serves as a reminder of reality by making Zoya an outsider looking in. He reflects on what he experienced in-game and the impact not only on his father but also on him. Both stories have overlapping qualities that incorporate fictional scenarios with the harsh reality of