The Things They Carried Vietnam Tim O’Brien

Vietnam War 1941: Ho Chi Minh returns to Vietnam after exile 1945: France attempts to regain control of Saigon : Ho Chi Minh negotiates with France over independence

Vietnam War Divided Nation: North – Communist who advocated independence – wanted to unify country South – worked with France 1965: America sends troops to help South defeat North

Vietnam War 58,000 Americans dead ~150 Billion dollars – cost of America Wanted to keep communism from spreading – domino theory Guerrilla Warfare Surprise attacks, ambushes, bombings, no clear enemy, terrorist in nature

Vietnam Views Proponents: Keep communism from spreading Protection from Soviet Power Treaty obligation – Geneva – 1954 Maintain colonial power over French Indonesia Use as a buffer state in Asia No point of rescuing them from Japan if handed over to communism

Vietnam Views Opposition: Not obligated under Geneva treaty to help Civil War – no right to intervene Vietnam chose not to honor Geneva treaty No Chinese threat – long history of China and Vietnam animosity South wanted unification No democracy in Vietnam Bad military tactics – napalm, ambushes, etc.

Post Vietnam Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Frightening thoughts and memories Lack of emotional attachments to others Sleep disorders Easily startled Nightmares/flashbacks Psychiatric problems Lack of interest in life ~ 30% of Vietnam Veterans

Vocabulary Dynamic character – changes in story Static character – does not change First Person Narration – narrated by O’Brien; limited perspective Flashback/Flash-forward: going back in time or going into present. Indirect Characterization: when author provides details in which the reader makes assumptions about a character’s personality.

Themes The justification of killing Loss of a friend Isolation Corruption of war Inability to adjust back to normal life Individual consequences of war Racism as a coping mechanism