**ATTENTION ATTENTION NOW, 1st/2nd AP/1102: NEXT TTTC RDG HW and J#4 DUE COMPLETED BY CLASSTIME TUES. 9/15!!!**

1st/2nd APLang/ENG 1101

HW DUE **TUES. 9/15:

AGAIN, here's a quick reminder of the intro/FYI's for our reading/analysis of this text:

The first longer text/novel we will study--Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried (1990)--explores the realities that coincide with war and our perhaps misguided perceptions of the complex issues surrounding combat versus civilian life; read The Things They Carried with the following concepts in mind:

• take into account the author’s [O’Brien’s] purpose, context, and the message(s) he conveys through his stories of the Vietnam War, both as author AND narrator 
• recognize strategies and tactics employed to broaden the civilian understanding of the atrocities of war and to explain current societal/political issues associated with the subject
• understand the myriad of ethical dilemmas associated with war and the differing perceptions of TRUTH and REALITY that arise within the text

1) Over this WEEKEND/into next wk (giving this to you now, Thurs. 9/10 ~and/or~ FRI. 9/11, so... 5+ NIGHTS!!), read the NEXT THREE (3) CHAPTERS/*VIGNETTES* of O'Brien's TTTC, listed below:

• "The Dentist"
• "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong"
• "Stockings"

2) As you read, consider the bulleted points above in the QUICK INTRO; make notes [post-its, preferably] of any details, plot points, memories, descriptions, etc. that you believe carry O'Brien's stories

3) AND FINALLY: to be sure you all get the 'gist' of this next reading of O'Brien's stories of war, take a look at the list of questions below laid out for these next three (3) chapters

• of the questions below for each chapter, FOR JOURNAL #4, CHOOSE TWO PER CHAPTER TO ANSWER VIA WRITTEN ON PAPER **OR** POST-IT/ANNOTATED STYLE **OR** TYPED/PRINTED HARD COPY

JOURNAL #4 QU's TO CHOOSE FROM/ANSWER FOR TTTC x3 CHAPTERS:

“The Dentist” 

1. Characterize Curt Lemon and why he behaves the way he does. How does this affect your reading of the previous chapter? 

2. How did Curt Lemon’s visit to the dentist affect him? 

3. What is the purpose of placing this chapter directly after “How to Tell a True War Story”? 

“Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong” 

1. Characterize/note Rat Kiley, Mark Fossie, and Mary Anne Bell as you first see them.

2. Describe the changes in Mary Anne Bell from the time she arrived in Vietnam to be with her boyfriend until the end of the chapter. Be specific and record moments from the text (page numbers and descriptions) that demonstrate how she changed. 

3. Why do you think she changed? What did the change symbolize? How long did this metamorphosis take? 

4. Look up the definition of the word "metamorphosis." In what ways (note that this a plural noun) does this word apply to the transformation of Mary Anne? 

5. Does it matter that Mary Anne is a woman? How so? What does the story tell us about the nature of the Vietnam War? 

 

“Stockings” 

1. Why did Henry Dobbins continue to carry his girlfriend’s stocking even after she broke up with him? 

2. Consider the comparison O’Brien makes between Dobbins and America. How does this affect your view of how O’Brien views America?

*******************

SO, let's RECAP:

• Come to class--PREPARED TO TURN THESE IN/SHOW ME YOUR WORK IF I NEED YOU TO!!--TUES. 9/15 having read these NEXT THREE (3) CHAPTERS of TTTC; be ready for LOADS more discussion and lots to unpack; LET ME KNOW YOU'VE READ!
• **NOTE: you may also read more/ahead, but you're only *required* to complete the assignment above

• FOR JOURNAL #4 on PAPER *OR* POST-ITs in your copy of the book *OR* hard copy typed/printed out, make sure you've answered TWO (2) of the questions listed above PER CHAPTER; that's a TOTAL of x6 qu's/post-its/etc. (<<more is fine as well) 

• ALSO, make sure your annotated/post-it answers are more than just an arrow or a word or two; give specifics, "text evidence," and answer the qu's thoughtfully, yet still 'annotation' style

**As per usual, I'll see you all TUES. 9/15 to dig into/earn valuable discussion points RE: these next three thought-provoking chapters/vignettes! :)

**ATTENTION 3rd HAMLIT: J#4 ASSIGNMENT DUE COMPLETED BEFORE CLASS FRI. 9/11!!**

3rd Honors American Lit./Comp.

HW DUE FRI. 9/11:

1) For JOURNAL #4 given/explained to you THURS. 9/10 in class and pdf linked on the Classroom (WRITING SECTION), use the template/model given to you to create your OWN PERSONAL

JOURNAL #4: "Where I'm From" CREATIVE PERSONAL VERSE/POEM

**Remember: the more CREATIVE and IN-DEPTH you are, the better YOUR GRADE/ASSESSMENT will be for this! 

• USE THE TEMPLATE TO TYPE UP OR NEATLY WRITE OUT YOUR OWN VERSION

• also use the EXAMPLE(S)/MODEL "WHERE I'M FROM" given to you to guide you as you write your own (binder WRITING section/also linked on the Classroom)
• NO AI, Y'ALL. HOW TACKY and CRINGE TO USE artificial intelligence for a PERSONAL WRITING ASSIGNMENT. 
• REMEMBER: If I'm printing for you, share w/me PLENTY AHEAD OF TIME/CLASS, plz!

**Think of funny/meaningful/frightening moments in your life, favorite sayings, things/items that remind YOU of 'YOU,' your 'home,' the place where you live, and/or the people who surround you

**ALSO IF YOU WANT, BE READY TO SHARE YOUR CREATIVE RESPONSES FRI. 9/11 IN CLASS FOR AN EXTRA/BONUS 100% WEEKLY CCR/participation GRADE!!!**

**ATTENTION 1st/2nd AP/1101: LONG-WKEND HW READING/JOURNAL #2 Qu's ASSIGNMENT DUE COMPLETED BY CLASSTIME TUES. 9/8**

1st/2nd APLang/ENG 1101

HW DUE TUES. 9/8:

PLEASE READ FIRST/QUICK INTRO:

The first longer text/novel we will study--Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried (1990)--explores the realities that coincide with war and our perhaps misguided perceptions of the complex issues surrounding combat versus civilian life; read The Things They Carried with the following concepts in mind:

• take into account the author’s [O’Brien’s] purpose, context, and the message(s) he conveys through his stories of the Vietnam War, both as author AND narrator 
• recognize strategies and tactics employed to broaden the civilian understanding of the atrocities of war and to explain current societal/political issues associated with the subject
• understand the myriad of ethical dilemmas associated with war and the differing perceptions of TRUTH and REALITY that arise within the text

1) Over the upcoming LONG LABOR DAY WEEKEND (next FIVE!! NIGHTS!!), read the FIRST  SIX (6) CHAPTERS/*VIGNETTES* of O'Brien's The Things They Carried (TTTC), listed below:

• "The Things They Carried"
• "Love"
• "Spin"
• "On the Rainy River"
• "Enemies"
• "Friends"

2) As you read, consider the bulleted points above in the QUICK INTRO; make notes [post-its, preferably] of any details, plot points, memories, descriptions, etc. that you believe carry O'Brien's stories

3) AND FINALLY: to be sure you all get the 'gist' of this first reading of O'Brien's stories of war, take a look at the list of questions below laid out for each of these first SIX chapters. 

• Of the questions listed below for each chapter, FOR JOURNAL #2 CHOOSE TWO PER CHAPTER TO ANSWER VIA POST-IT/ANNOTATED STYLE **OR** HANDWRITTEN ON PAPER **OR** PRINTED (ahead of time!!!) <----YOUR CHOICE!

JOURNAL #2 POST-IT or PAPER QU's TO CHOOSE FROM/ANSWER FOR TTTC FIRST SIX CHAPTERS

“The Things They Carried” 

1. In the list of all the things the soldiers carried, what item was most surprising? Which item did you find most evocative of the war? Which items stay with you?  

2. How is the idea of weight used and developed in the story? How do you, as a reader, feel reading those lists of weight? What effect does it have on you? 

3. How has Jimmy changed by the end of the story? How will he be a different person from this point on? What has he learned about himself? Or to put it another way, what has he lost and what has he gained?

“Love” 

1. What could Jimmy Cross never forgive himself for? 

2. What does Jimmy ask Tim/the narrator to do when he writes his story? What does he tell Tim NOT to mention? 

3. What does it tell us about Tim O’Brien, the narrator, that he reveals character traits of Cross’s that Cross would prefer to have remain unknown? 

“Spin” 

1. What do we learn about Azar’s character in this story? 

2. How was the war LIKE--and NOT like--a game of checkers?  

3. What does Norman Bowker wish for, more than anything? 

4. How is this story structured? What can you say about all these short sections? 

5. According to Tim/the narrator, what are stories for? 

“On the Rainy River” 

1. What were Tim’s options once he received his draft notice? Who did he hold responsible for his situation? Who did he think should go to war instead of him? 

2. What does Tim say is Elroy Berdhal’s role in his life? What sort of person was Elroy? How did Tim know? 

3. Why does O’Brien relate his experience as a pig declotter? How does this information contribute to the story? Why go into such specific detail? 

4. At the story’s close, O’Brien almost jumps ship to Canada, but doesn’t: “I did try. It just wasn’t possible.” What has O’Brien learned about himself, and how does he return home as a changed person? 

“Enemies” 

1. Who broke whose nose--and why?

2. What was the effect of the fight on Jensen? 

3. What did Jensen finally do to resolve the conflict between them?  

“Friends" 

1. What was the pact that Dave Jensen & Lee Strunk made together? 

2. What was Lee afraid of when he saw Jensen, and what did he make him promise? 

3. Using both chapters “Enemies” and “Friends,” explain how war distorts the normal social codes. 

4. What is the irony of this chapter’s title? 

*******************

SO, let's RECAP:

• Come to class TUES. 9/8 having read the FIRST SIX (6) CHAPTERS of TTTC; be ready for LOADS of discussion and lots to unpack; LET ME KNOW YOU'VE READ!
• **NOTE: you may also read more/ahead, but you're only *required* to complete the assignment above

• As JOURNAL #2 on post-its inside your copy of the text OR on paper OR printed AHEAD OF TIME, make sure you've answered TWO (2) of the questions listed above PER CHAPTER; that's a TOTAL of x12 qu's answered on paper/post-its (<<more is fine as well) 

• AND!!!!! ----> Make sure your annotated/post-it answers are more than just an arrow or a word or two; give specifics, and answer the qu's thoughtfully, yet still 'annotation' style

**I'll see you all TUES. 9/8 to dig into/earn valuable discussion points RE: the thought-provoking chapters/vignettes in this remarkable and unforgettable book! :)