The Things They Carried SPEAKING OF COURAGE Question

The Things They Carried “SPEAKING OF COURAGE”

Question What does it mean to be courageous?

Symbolism What is a Chevy?

Symbolism What is a Chevy? American made car “Classic” “Iconic” American muscle car

Symbolism What does the Chevy represent?

Symbolism What does the Chevy represent? “. . . driving slowly, feeling safe inside his father’s big Chevy. . . ”

Symbolism What does the Chevy represent? “. . . driving slowly, feeling safe inside his father’s big Chevy. . . ” The American Dream

Symbolism What does the Chevy represent? “. . . driving slowly, feeling safe inside his father’s big Chevy. . . ” The American Dream Norman Bowker feels safe inside the vehicle, it’s a cocoon sheltering him from the realities of life.

Early Loss What caused the death of Norman Bowker’s childhood friend, Max Arnold?

Early Loss What caused the death of Norman Bowker’s childhood friend, Max Arnold? “And the lake had drowned his friend Max Arnold, keeping him out of the war entirely”

Opportunities Gone Norman Bowker is not the same man he was before.

Opportunities Gone Norman Bowker is not the same man he was before. He can’t go back to being a “normal” person”

Opportunities Gone Norman Bowker is not the same man he was before. He can’t go back to being a “normal” person” “For a moment he’d almost pulled over, just to talk, but instead he’d pushed down hard on the gas pedal”

I do not support drinking

Silver Star for Valor The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action.

Silver Star for Valor The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action. Norman wished that he could have won it.

Silver Star for Valor The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action. Norman wished that he could have won it. “I almost won the Silver Star”

Quiet Hometown Norman is upset that his own hometown hasn’t been effected by the war like he has.

Quiet Hometown Norman is upset that his own hometown hasn’t been effected by the war like he has. He expresses his opinions as

Quiet Hometown Norman is upset that his own hometown hasn’t been effected by the war like he has. He expresses his opinions as “[They] did not know shit about shit, and did not care to know”

Skills Norman Bowker knows shit.

Skills Norman Bowker knows shit. He has a keen sense of smell, texture and taste.

Skills Norman Bowker knows shit. He has a keen sense of smell, texture and taste. He can tell time by just looking at the sun “The sun was lower now. Five fifty-five, he decided – six o’clock tops.

Skills Norman Bowker knows shit. He has a keen sense of smell, texture and taste. He can tell time by just looking at the sun “The sun was lower now. Five fifty-five, he decided – six o’clock tops. Result from the War?

Yes/No Norman discusses that the physical challenges of war often require more valor than the challenges of combat

Yes/No Norman discusses that the physical challenges of war often require more valor than the challenges of combat “Courage was not always a matter of yes or no”

Leave no man behind? Alone and without his weapon, Norman must make a life-changing choice.

Leave no man behind? Alone and without his weapon, Norman must make a life-changing choice. “There were flares and mortar rounds, and the stink was everywhere – it was inside him, in his lungs – and he could no longer tolerate it”

The life he could have had Norman Bowker spends a lot of his time focused on the three boys in a Firebird, why?

The life he could have had Norman Bowker spends a lot of his time focused on the three boys in a Firebird, why? That was suppose to be his life before he got drafted.

The life he could have had Norman Bowker spends a lot of his time focused on the three boys in a Firebird, why? That was suppose to be his life before he got drafted. Just hanging out with his friends causing mayhem.

Flashback A event triggers Norman to have a lapse in his actions, what caused it?

Flashback A event triggers Norman to have a lapse in his actions, what caused it? The intercom

Flashback A event triggers Norman to have a lapse in his actions, what caused it? The intercom Maybe he is remembering the radio during the war?

Flashback A event triggers Norman to have a lapse in his actions, what caused it? The intercom Maybe he is remembering the radio during the war? He is having a hard time transitioning back to civilian life.

Flashback A event triggers Norman to have a lapse in his actions, what caused it? The intercom Maybe he is remembering the radio during the war? He is having a hard time transitioning back to civilian life. “She stared at him for a moment. . . a question lingered in her. . . eye. . . ”

Trying to be normal Norman makes plans while eating dinner

Trying to be normal Norman makes plans while eating dinner Go job hunting Shoots some hoops Wash the car

Trying to be normal Norman makes plans while eating dinner Go job hunting Shoots some hoops Wash the car These are all normal things, can he be “normal”?

Kiowa, the Great Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste”

Kiowa, the Great Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste” This quote has a few meanings. . .

Kiowa, the Great Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste” This quote has a few meanings. . . 1: Kiowa was literally folded, sucked into the earth

Kiowa, the Great Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste” This quote has a few meanings. . . 1: Kiowa was literally folded, sucked into the earth 2: Kiowa became part of the earth (in a good way)

Kiowa, the Great Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste” This quote has a few meanings. . . 1: Kiowa was literally folded, sucked into the earth 2: Kiowa became part of the earth 3: Kiowa wasted, as in he did not live a full life

Kiowa, the Great Kiowa was “folded in with the war; he was part of the waste” This quote has a few meanings. . . 1: Kiowa was literally folded, sucked into the earth 2: Kiowa became part of the earth 3: Kiowa wasted, as in he did not live a full life 4: Kiowa literally dies as part of the waste (shit)

I got Seven Honeys Slang for distinguished honors aka Medals

Unique Title – “Speaking of Courage” Why might O’Brien assign this chapter title to this chapter?

Unique Title – “Speaking of Courage” Why might O’Brien assign this chapter title to this chapter? Does Norman actually talk to anyone?

Unique Title – “Speaking of Courage” Why might O’Brien assign this chapter title to this chapter? Does Norman actually talk to anyone? He imagines talking to people he knows in town.

Unique Title – “Speaking of Courage” Why might O’Brien assign this chapter title to this chapter? Does Norman actually talk to anyone? He imagines talking to people he knows in town. He is desperate to talk to someone, but no one knows what he went through.

Unique Title – “Speaking of Courage” Why might O’Brien assign this chapter title to this chapter? Does Norman actually talk to anyone? He imagines talking to people he knows in town. He is desperate to talk to someone, but no one knows what he went through. This narrative is Norman’s dialogue with himself about his traumatic experiences.