HIST 1103 – Honors Survey of American History

Spring 2002

Dr. Laura Belmonte

Section 903

Book Assignment for Tim O=Brien, The Things They Carried

Due in lecture Tuesday, April 23rd - worth up to 100 points

LATE PAPERS SUBJECT TO TEN POINT PER DAY PENALTY

Write a 5-7 page, typed, 12-point font, one-inch margins and double-spaced essay in which you answer the following questions (in whatever order you find appropriate).

*How do these stories portray the experiences of soldiers in Vietnam? What do they

teach you about the combat experience?

*What is the story “On the Rainy River” about? What would you done in similar

circumstances?

*How did the veterans O=Brien describes remember the war?

*Do you think U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War was justified? Why or why not?

*Would you have protested the war? Why or why not? If so, what tactics would you have used to demonstrate your discontent?

*Which of the stories did you find the most powerful? Why?

*Did you like this book? Why or why not?