Background: the Vietnam War In the 1950's the United States began to send troops to Vietnam. During the following 25- years the ensuing war would create some of the strongest tensions in US history. Almost 3 million US men and women were sent thousands of miles to fight for what was a questionable cause. In total, it is estimated that over 2,5 million people on both sides were killed. In the 1950's the United States began to send troops to Vietnam. During the following 25- years the ensuing war would create some of the strongest tensions in US history. Almost 3 million US men and women were sent thousands of miles to fight for what was a questionable cause. In total, it is estimated that over 2,5 million people on both sides were killed.

Background: the Vietnam War The anti-Vietnam War movement marked the first time in American history that record numbers marched and protested to an antiwar tune — on college campuses, in neighborhoods, and in Washington. Although it did not create enough pressure on decision-makers to end U.S. involvement in the war, the movement ’ s impact was monumental. The anti-Vietnam War movement marked the first time in American history that record numbers marched and protested to an antiwar tune — on college campuses, in neighborhoods, and in Washington. Although it did not create enough pressure on decision-makers to end U.S. involvement in the war, the movement ’ s impact was monumental.

Background: the Vietnam War It served as a major constraint on the government ’ s ability to escalate, played a significant role in President Lyndon B. Johnson ’ s decision in 1968 not to seek another term, and was a factor in the Watergate affair that brought down President Richard Nixon. It served as a major constraint on the government ’ s ability to escalate, played a significant role in President Lyndon B. Johnson ’ s decision in 1968 not to seek another term, and was a factor in the Watergate affair that brought down President Richard Nixon.

Background: the Vietnam War At last, the story of the entire antiwar movement from its advent to its dissolution is available in Antiwarriors: The Vietnam War and the Battle for America ’ s Hearts and Minds. At last, the story of the entire antiwar movement from its advent to its dissolution is available in Antiwarriors: The Vietnam War and the Battle for America ’ s Hearts and Minds. But in addition to radical protestors whose actions fueled intense media coverage, Small reveals that the anti-war movement included a diverse cast of ordinary citizens turned war dissenter: housewives, politicians, suburbanites, clergy members, and the elderly. But in addition to radical protestors whose actions fueled intense media coverage, Small reveals that the anti-war movement included a diverse cast of ordinary citizens turned war dissenter: housewives, politicians, suburbanites, clergy members, and the elderly.

Words, Phrases and Sentence Making approach approach engage engage fortify fortify mask (v.) mask (v.) retreat retreat stain stain vanish vanish come through come through be caught up in be caught up in

Sentences and Paraphrasing They were dreaming of golden beaches and sea tides as the grey, cold spring of New York vanished behind them. (disappear) They were dreaming of golden beaches and sea tides as the grey, cold spring of New York vanished behind them. (disappear) He sat in front of the young people, his dusty face masking his age, dressed in a plain brown suit that did not fit him. (hiding) (Please analyze the grammatical structure of this sentence.) He sat in front of the young people, his dusty face masking his age, dressed in a plain brown suit that did not fit him. (hiding) (Please analyze the grammatical structure of this sentence.)

Sentences and Paraphrasing “ It is, ” he said quietly, as if remembering something he had tried to forget. (Forget what?) “ It is, ” he said quietly, as if remembering something he had tried to forget. (Forget what?) Get a new guy—she’s a wonderful woman, really something—and forget about me. (outstanding) Get a new guy—she’s a wonderful woman, really something—and forget about me. (outstanding) “And you’re going home now, not knowing?” (whether she’s got another man and whether she would accept you.) “And you’re going home now, not knowing?” (whether she’s got another man and whether she would accept you.)

Sentences and Paraphrasing She told the others, and soon all of them were caught up in the approach of Brunswick, looking at the pictures Vingo showed them of his wife and three children. (involved, excited, interested, attracted) She told the others, and soon all of them were caught up in the approach of Brunswick, looking at the pictures Vingo showed them of his wife and three children. (involved, excited, interested, attracted) Vingo stopped looking, tightening his face into the ex-con ’ s mask, as if fortifying himself against Vingo stopped looking, tightening his face into the ex-con ’ s mask, as if fortifying himself against (expression) (against possible attack) (expression) (against possible attack) still another disappointment. still another disappointment.

Sentences and Paraphrasing Then it was 10 miles, and then five, and the bus became very quiet. (Why?) Then it was 10 miles, and then five, and the bus became very quiet. (Why?) As the young people shouted, the old con slowly rose from his seat, holding himself tightly, and made his way to the front of the bus to go home. (overjoyed, overwhelmed by joy) As the young people shouted, the old con slowly rose from his seat, holding himself tightly, and made his way to the front of the bus to go home. (overjoyed, overwhelmed by joy)

Discussion Questions What do “ home ” and “ going home ” symbolize? What do “ home ” and “ going home ” symbolize? Why did the hero go with the young people? Why did the hero go with the young people? Why were the young people from New York so kind? Why were the young people from New York so kind?