The Things They Carried By Tim O’Brien

“The Things They Carried” Lt. Jimmy Cross carries his love for Martha and the responsibility for his men – a conflict Commentary on the Vietnam War - "By daylight they took sniper fire, at night they were mortared, but it was not battle, it was just the endless march, village to village, without purpose, nothing won or lost.” – as a Vet. what is O’Brien saying about this war? Defenses – Language & Jokes – “greased,” “offed,” “zapped while zipping” Literary Devices -

Characters Lt. Jimmy Cross Rat Kiley Ted Lavender Kiowa Henry Dobbins Norman Bowker Tim O’Brien Mitchel Sanders

Tim O’Brien

May 2010 http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june10/obrien_04-28.html

In Class Essay Plan ahead – outline due tomorrow Have a clear thesis statement Use two quotations from the novel that will support your thesis Use organization (introduction, body, conclusion)

Thesis Statement Have a focused sentence that answers one of the questions

Quotations Choose 2 to use! Always lead in to quotations I.e.: O’Brien explains to his reader that “a true war story is never moral” (46).

Question 1- claim that this theme is the most important Bravery “On the Rainy River” – I was a coward, I went to war (talk about the differences between being a coward and bravery to O”Brien) “The Dentist”- Needing to prove he is brave Responsibility “The Things They Carried” (Cross’ responsibility for his men “In the Field” (Discussion of requiring blame)

Question 1- claim that this theme is the most important War & Love “Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong” – Mary Anne Bell and Mark Fosse “How to Tell a True War Story” – Sister who never writes back “The Lives of the Dead” – Love of Linda Figurative vs. Literal Weight “The Things They Carried”

Question 2: Guilt Thesis: Guilt causes the men in The Things They Carried to…. Cross’ guilt over Lavender’s death O’Brien’s guilt in “The Man I Killed” Enemies/Friends Guilt they all feel over loss of Kiowa

Question 3: Change Opinion? Trace your observations of O’Brien from start to finish… What was your initial feeling about O’Brien (“On the Rainy River”)? Did it change during “The Man I Killed”? How did it end during “Field Trip” and “Ghost Soldiers”?

Question 4: Storytelling Use “Spin,” “How to Tell a True War Story,” and “The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong” to get notes on what a true war story is.