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
- "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?
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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! :)
