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Published byCarmel Gaines Modified over 9 years ago
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The Things They Carried Tim O’Brien
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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