The Things They Carried

Question  What does it mean to be courageous?

Symbolism  What is a Chevy?

Symbolism  What is a Chevy? American made car “Classic” “Iconic” American muscle car

Symbolism  What does the Chevy represent?

Symbolism  What does the Chevy represent? “... driving slowly, feeling safe inside his father’s big Chevy...”

Symbolism  What does the Chevy represent? “... driving slowly, feeling safe inside his father’s big Chevy...”  The American Dream

Symbolism  What does the Chevy represent? “... driving slowly, feeling safe inside his father’s big Chevy...”  The American Dream Norman Bowker feels safe inside the vehicle, it’s a cocoon sheltering him from the realities of life.

Early Loss  What caused the death of Norman Bowker’s childhood friend, Max Arnold?

Early Loss  What caused the death of Norman Bowker’s childhood friend, Max Arnold? “And the lake had drowned his friend Max Arnold, keeping him out of the war entirely”

Opportunities Gone  Norman Bowker is not the same man he was before.

Opportunities Gone  Norman Bowker is not the same man he was before.  He can’t go back to being a “normal” person”

Opportunities Gone  Norman Bowker is not the same man he was before.  He can’t go back to being a “normal” person” “For a moment he’d almost pulled over, just to talk, but instead he’d pushed down hard on the gas pedal”

I do not support drinking

Silver Star for Valor  The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action.

Silver Star for Valor  The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action.  Norman wished that he could have won it.

Silver Star for Valor  The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action.  Norman wished that he could have won it. “I almost won the Silver Star”

Quiet Hometown  Norman is upset that his own hometown hasn’t been effected by the war like he has.

Quiet Hometown  Norman is upset that his own hometown hasn’t been effected by the war like he has.  He expresses his opinions as

Quiet Hometown  Norman is upset that his own hometown hasn’t been effected by the war like he has.  He expresses his opinions as “[They] did not know shit about shit, and did not care to know”

Skills  Norman Bowker knows shit.

Skills  Norman Bowker knows shit.  He has a keen sense of smell, texture and taste.

Skills  Norman Bowker knows shit.  He has a keen sense of smell, texture and taste.  He can tell time by just looking at the sun “The sun was lower now. Five fifty-five, he decided – six o’clock tops.

Skills  Norman Bowker knows shit.  He has a keen sense of smell, texture and taste.  He can tell time by just looking at the sun “The sun was lower now. Five fifty-five, he decided – six o’clock tops.  Result from the War?

Yes/No  Norman discusses that the physical challenges of war often require more valor than the challenges of combat

Yes/No  Norman discusses that the physical challenges of war often require more valor than the challenges of combat “Courage was not always a matter of yes or no”

Leave no man behind?  Alone and without his weapon, Norman must make a life-changing choice.

Leave no man behind?  Alone and without his weapon, Norman must make a life-changing choice. “There were flares and mortar rounds, and the stink was everywhere – it was inside him, in his lungs – and he could no longer tolerate it”

The life he could have had  Norman Bowker spends a lot of his time focused on the three boys in a Firebird, why?

The life he could have had  Norman Bowker spends a lot of his time focused on the three boys in a Firebird, why? That was suppose to be his life before he got drafted.

The life he could have had  Norman Bowker spends a lot of his time focused on the three boys in a Firebird, why? That was suppose to be his life before he got drafted. Just hanging out with his friends causing mayhem.

Flashback  A event triggers Norman to have a lapse in his actions, what caused it?

Flashback  A event triggers Norman to have a lapse in his actions, what caused it? The intercom

Flashback  A event triggers Norman to have a lapse in his actions, what caused it? The intercom Maybe he is remembering the radio during the war?

Flashback  A event triggers Norman to have a lapse in his actions, what caused it? The intercom Maybe he is remembering the radio during the war?  He is having a hard time transitioning back to civilian life.

Flashback  A event triggers Norman to have a lapse in his actions, what caused it? The intercom Maybe he is remembering the radio during the war?  He is having a hard time transitioning back to civilian life. “She stared at him for a moment... a question lingered in her... eye...”

Trying to be normal  Norman makes plans while eating dinner

Trying to be normal  Norman makes plans while eating dinner Go job hunting Shoots some hoops Wash the car

Trying to be normal  Norman makes plans while eating dinner Go job hunting Shoots some hoops Wash the car  These are all normal things, can he be “normal”?

Kiowa, the Great  Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste”

Kiowa, the Great  Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste”  This quote has a few meanings...

Kiowa, the Great  Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste”  This quote has a few meanings...  1: Kiowa was literally folded, sucked into the earth

Kiowa, the Great  Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste”  This quote has a few meanings...  1: Kiowa was literally folded, sucked into the earth  2: Kiowa became part of the earth (in a good way)

Kiowa, the Great  Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste”  This quote has a few meanings...  1: Kiowa was literally folded, sucked into the earth  2: Kiowa became part of the earth  3: Kiowa was wasted, as in he did not live a full life

Kiowa, the Great  Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste”  This quote has a few meanings...  1: Kiowa was literally folded, sucked into the earth  2: Kiowa became part of the earth  3: Kiowa was wasted, as in he did not live a full life  4: Kiowa literally dies as part of the waste (shit)

I got Seven Honeys  Slang for distinguished honors aka Medals

Unique Title – “Speaking of Courage ”  Why might O’Brien assign this chapter title to this chapter?

Unique Title – “Speaking of Courage ”  Why might O’Brien assign this chapter title to this chapter?  Does Norman actually talk to anyone?

Unique Title – “Speaking of Courage ”  Why might O’Brien assign this chapter title to this chapter?  Does Norman actually talk to anyone?  He imagines talking to people he knows in town.

Unique Title – “Speaking of Courage ”  Why might O’Brien assign this chapter title to this chapter?  Does Norman actually talk to anyone?  He imagines talking to people he knows in town.  He is desperate to talk to someone, but no one knows what he went through.

Unique Title – “Speaking of Courage ”  Why might O’Brien assign this chapter title to this chapter?  Does Norman actually talk to anyone?  He imagines talking to people he knows in town.  He is desperate to talk to someone, but no one knows what he went through.  This narrative is Norman’s dialogue with himself about his traumatic experiences.