1. The Things They Carried Tim O’Brien

2. Vietnam War 1941: Ho Chi Minh returns to Vietnam after exile 1945: France attempts to regain control of Saigon 1946-1954: Ho Chi Minh negotiates with France over independence

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. Lingo in War AO – area of operation PFC – private first class M & M’s – sarcastic for medical supplies R & R – rest and relaxation SOP – standard operating procedure RTO – radio and telephone operator AWOL – Absence without leave

9. Tim O’Brien Born October 1, 1946 in Minnesota (like Bob Dylan) Drafted into Vietnam in 1968 Went to Harvard upon return Teaches Creative Writing at Southwest Texas State University

10. 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.

11. 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