the things they carried by tim o’brien. “the things they carried” lt. jimmy cross carries his...
TRANSCRIPT
“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
May 2010May 2010http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june10/obrien_04-http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june10/obrien_04-
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In Class EssayIn Class Essay1.1. Plan ahead – outline due tomorrowPlan ahead – outline due tomorrow
2.2. Have a clear thesis statementHave a clear thesis statement3.3. Use two quotations from the novel that will support your thesisUse two quotations from the novel that will support your thesis
4.4. Use organization (introduction, body, conclusion)Use organization (introduction, body, conclusion)
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”?