Topics for Essay #3

Essay Topics over the The Things They Carried:

We have discussed two things throughout our study of this novel: the story and the characters; therefore, there are only two topics. Please understand that you are meant to delve back into the book, to consider and study it further as you consider this essay. The bad news: this will be hard; the good news: studying this book is the hardest thing you will do all semester. It does get easier after this essay.

Use specific examples from at least 4-5 stories from the novel to support one of the following topics. This essay should be between 4-5 pages, with citations from the novel. You are encouraged to read and incorporate information from the following links--or other research--with correct MLA format:

http://www.illyria.com/tobhp.html -- citations will depend on which, if any, of the articles you choose to read and use; the two articles below are specific articles found on the above website:

http://www.stg.brown.edu/projects/WritingVietnam/obrien.html CITATION FORMAT: (O'Brien).

http://www3.wooster.edu/ArtfulDodge/interviews/obrien.htm CITATION FORMAT: (Artful Dodge).

When citing from the book, all that is required is the page number. CITATION FORMAT: (45).


1. CHARACTERS
War creates an automatic pressure cooker, one in which the characters must respond quickly, without the time to weigh their decisions, the consequences, or the long term effects of those decisions. What are the pressures or internal conflicts exerted on the men of Alpha Company--specifically Tim O'Brien, Norman Bowker, Rat Kiley, Mitch Sanders, and Henry Dobbins--AND how does each individual respond to the pressure and conflicts exerted on them? Be sure to consider the pressure to comply with the expectations of "society"--before, during, and after the war. Consider the importance of pride and proving and maintaining bravery in the face of danger and fear to these men.

2. TRUTH
Tim O’Brien has said:
"Every reader is always seduced by a good work of fiction. That is, by a lie . . . . Huckleberry Finn did not happen, but if you're reading Huckleberry Finn you're made to believe that it is happening. If you didn't believe it, then it would be a lousy work of fiction. One wouldn't be seduced. . . . I'm like a seducer, yet . . . I'm not just tricking you, I'm letting you in on my game, letting you in on who I am, what I am, and why I am doing what I am doing."

What aspect of storytelling is the author Tim O’Brien concerned with in his novel, The Things They Carried? Which stories--and characters--are the author's greatest lies and creations and are the most believable? What truth is O’Brien the author attempting to convey to the reader by telling these lies? How does creating the character of the soldier/narrator Tim O'Brien contribute to the "seduction" of the reader? In what way is this a book about writing stories and about the truth that often lies buried within the greatest works of fiction--not just this book, but any book worth study? The stories and characters created by novelists are not real . . . Huck Finn wasn't real--neither the book nor the character; neither were George & Lennie in Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men; neither were Hassan and Amir in Hossenni's Kite Runner-- but what was real?