"The Things They Carried"

In the title story, how do the things the men carry help define them as individuals? What are some of the more interesting items? Which "things" were unexpected? What would you carry if you went to war?

"Love" 

 What did Jimmy Cross carry AFTER the war, both physically and emotionally?

"Spin"

What does Tim, the narrator, say the role of stories is? How does it compare with your idea of the role of stories?

On the Rainy River 

In the last paragraph of Chapter 4, the narrator says, “I was a coward. I went to war.” Why did  O’Brien believe it was cowardly to GO to Vietnam rather than stay home?

"Enemies"

Why did Jensen break his own nose? Did it "square" things between him and Strunk?

"Friends" 

Why did Strunk's death seem "to relieve Dave Jensen of an enormous weight"?

"How To Tell a True War Story"

Can "a true story that never happened" truly exist? Explain. 

(Cool quote: "And in the end, really, there's nothing much to say about a true war story, except maybe 'Oh.'")

"The Dentist"

This is a freebie. No questions. Just read it and marvel at Curt Lemon's machismo.

"Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong" 

What comments do characters make to indicate they are aware of how stories are supposed to operate? (Think of Mitchell Sanders' confidence that the Green Berets will figure into the story later.)

Does "Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong" conform to storytelling conventions or "rules," or does it break them? Explain.

"Stockings" 

Henry Dobbins uses his girlfriend's pantyhose as a good luck charm. What is your opinion of good luck charms? If you have one (and don't mind sharing), what is it? Do you truly believe this object is lucky?

"Church"

Compare and contrast the way Dobbins and Kiowa view religion. Which, if either, is closest to your view of religion?  

"The Man I Killed" 

How does O'Brien (the author) personalize the soldier that "O'Brien" (the character) kills? Is this strategy effective? 

"Ambush"

Should "O'Brien" have lied to his young daughter when she asked if he killed a man? Should he have killed the enemy soldier? Explain your responses. 

"Style" and "Speaking of Courage"

In "Speaking of Courage," the narrator says, "Sometimes the bravest thing on earth was to sit
through the night and feel the cold in your bones. Courage was not always a matter of yes or
no." How does the narrator define courage? How do you define it?