Turning In The Essay...

On the first day of school, you may turn in your essay one of two ways:

1. Have it in your Honors English 11 Google folder
2. Print out a copy to turn in to me

We'll use Schoology to turn in the essay in class, so that I can use the rubric and comments in Schoology to grade it. We'll do that together in class. Hope it's going well & please let me know if you have questions. Looking forward to meeting you soon!

Welcome!

This blog is designed for you to post thought-provoking comments, ask questions, and respond to your classmates’ comments regarding the novels. These particular novels tend to generate a lot of discussion, and the blog will provide a useful and enriching forum for that purpose.  All the prompts have been posted so that you may post early if you’d like. To go to the earlier posts, go to the Blog Archive at the bottom and go to Older Posts. You are required to post a minimum of three comments/ questions (at least one paragraph each) per novel as you read.  Blog comment deadlines: Their Eyes Were Watching God or The Hate U Give- July 20th, The Things They Carried- August 31st.

Summer Reading Requirements

Summer Reading Essay Paragraph Samples & Tips

What's the "Big Idea"?

Even though The Things They Carried is set during the Vietnam War, in what ways is it relevant today, with regard to war and politics as well as our personal struggles? 

As you read the novel, which parts did you connect/relate to best in terms of the struggles, character relationships, or in other ways?

What did you gain from reading this novel? What would you say is the "Big Idea" (or universal lesson) of this novel that will stick with you after reading it?

Ghost Soldiers

The narrator of the story "The Ghost Soldiers" says, "When you're afraid, really afraid, you see things you never saw before, you pay attention to the world." What might he mean by this?

Discuss O'Brien's war injuries and why he wants revenge on Bobby Jorgenson.

Examine O'Brien's reaction to being reassigned away from the heat of battle and what happens when the men from Alpha Company return to base.

Discuss O'Brien's meeting with Jorgenson and O'Brien's and Azar's plan for revenge.

How has O'Brien changed throughout the war?

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?

Analyze the effects of the war on Norman Bowker.

Examine his thoughts after he returns from the war: what might have been, what he wishes for, and what he finds.

Discuss the medals that Normal received, and analyze why he keeps referring to the medal he did not receive.

Why does Bowker write to O'Brien? What is the effect of this letter on O'Brien?

What happens to Bowker? Why?

Bittersweet

In "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong," what causes the transformation in Mary Anne Bell?
How does Rat Kiley's telling of the story add to the tension?
What does the story say about the Vietnam experience?
What was your reaction to this story?
O'Brien states: "What happened to her...was what happened to all of them. You come over clean and you get dirty and then afterward it's never the same" (114). What is your response to this quote? How does it apply to Vietnam? Can you relate this idea to life as well? How so?

On Rainy River

At the end of "On the Rainy River," the narrator says, "I was a coward. I went to the war." What does he mean by this? Do you agree?

Why has O'Brien never told this story before? Why does he decide to do so now?

Describe Elroy and analyze his influence on O'Brien and his ultimate decision. How does O'Brien reach his decision about whether or not to go to war? What role does shame/embarrassment/masculinity play in this decision?

What were your thoughts while reading this section? As always, feel free to respond to the above prompts or add your own ideas, questions, and interpretations. You may also respond to your classmates' posts, so we can have some interesting exchanges and debates.