The Things They Carried Vietnam Tim OBrien Vietnam

The Things They Carried Vietnam Tim O’Brien

Vietnam War l l l 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

Vietnam War l Divided Nation: • North – Communist who advocated • l independence – wanted to unify country South – worked with France 1965: America sends troops to help South defeat North

Vietnam War l l 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

Vietnam Views l 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

Vietnam Views l 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.

Post Vietnam l l 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

Vocabulary l l l 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.

Themes l l l l 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