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The Things They Carried. Vietnam Tim O’Brien. Vietnam War. 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. Divided Nation:
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The Things They Carried Vietnam Tim O’Brien
Vietnam War • 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 • Divided Nation: • North – Communist who advocated independence – wanted to unify country • South – worked with France • 1965: America sends troops to help South defeat North
Vietnam War • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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