The Things They Carried Chapters 1 & 2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does the word 'Elusive' mean?

Difficult to express

What does the word 'Dictated' mean?

Commanded

What does the term 'Intransitive' refer to?

Not taking a direct object

What is an 'insecticide'?

A substance used for killing insects Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Insignia' refer to?

A badge or distinguishing mark of military rank Signup and view all the answers

What is 'volition'?

The power of using one's will Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Lingo'?

Vocabulary used by a particular group of people Signup and view all the answers

What does 'mortification' mean?

Great embarrassment and shame Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'Negligence'?

Failure to take proper care in doing a task Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Impose' mean?

To force something to be expected by another Signup and view all the answers

What does 'confiscate' mean?

To seize by authority; to take and keep Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Dysentery'?

A disorder of the lower intestinal tract Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Foxhole'?

A shallow pit dug by a soldier in combat Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Grunts' refer to?

Infantry men (people on the front line) Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'Hump'?

To carry on the back (slang) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Interval' mean?

A space between Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Laxity' refer to?

Laziness Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Malaria'?

Infectious disease spread by mosquitoes Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Platoon'?

A subdivision of a company of soldiers Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Rucksack' mean?

A backpack Signup and view all the answers

What is the quote about 'Laxity' related to?

It refers to Lt. Jimmy Cross trying to become a more disciplined leader after Ted Lavender's death. Signup and view all the answers

What does the quote about 'rats' describe?

It refers to the fear of screams being heard in the tunnels the men had to enter. Signup and view all the answers

What message does Sanders express regarding drugs?

He advises to stay away from drugs as they ruin lives. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator say about Kiowa and his Bible?

He liked the smell of the New Testament and the sounds of the night. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the pebble given to Jimmy Cross by Martha?

It symbolizes his infatuation and escape from combat. Signup and view all the answers

What narrators are present in the chapters, and how are they described?

Lieutenant Jimmy Cross: platoon leader, Kiowa: devout Baptist, Tim O'Brien: author. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the company in the story?

Alpha Company Signup and view all the answers

Why does O'Brien use repetition in his writing?

To show what the soldiers carried physically and emotionally. Signup and view all the answers

What does the title of the chapter signify?

It represents what the soldiers carry both physically and emotionally. Signup and view all the answers

What ironic events occur in the chapter?

Soldiers carry more emotional weight than actual heavy supplies; tragedy strikes when they let their guard down. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Bowker get annoyed with Kiowa?

He is upset by Kiowa's reminders of Ted Lavender's death. Signup and view all the answers

What actions does Alpha Company take while awaiting Ted Lavender's dustoff?

They stripped off canteens, called for the chopper, wrapped Ted in a poncho, established security, and smoked his dope. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how humor was used by the platoon to cope with serious subjects.

The men joked about Ted not feeling pain due to tranquilizer use. Signup and view all the answers

How does the point of view change between the chapters?

Chapter Two is in first person, while Chapter One is in third person. Signup and view all the answers

What does Martha's body language imply about her feelings for Jimmy?

She is distant and does not have feelings for him. Signup and view all the answers

How does Martha respond when Jimmy says he loves her?

She shows disgust towards men and is initially silent. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Jimmy still love Martha despite her lack of interest?

Martha represents a longing for love amidst the war's chaos. Signup and view all the answers

How does Cross feel about the word 'Love'?

He is skeptical of its meaning and what Martha's letters convey. Signup and view all the answers

What is one haunting memory for Jimmy?

The death of Ted is still one of his ghosts that hurts him. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Jimmy not want to mention?

Martha Signup and view all the answers

Who is the platoon leader who carried letters and items from Martha?

Lieutenant Jimmy Cross Signup and view all the answers

Who is the machine gunner that carries rations and insecticide?

Henry Dobbins Signup and view all the answers

Who practiced field hygiene and carried personal items?

Dave Jensen Signup and view all the answers

Who was killed outside of Than-Khe?

Ted Lavender Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Radio Transmitting Officer (RTO) mentioned?

Mitchell Sanders Signup and view all the answers

Who carried a diary and a thumb from Mitchell Sanders?

Norman Bowker Signup and view all the answers

Who was Kiowa?

A devout Baptist soldier who carried significant personal items. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the medic that carried morphine and comic books?

Rat Kiley Signup and view all the answers

Who carried tanning lotion?

Lee Strunk Signup and view all the answers

How did the items the men carried vary?

By mission, job, necessity, and superstition. Signup and view all the answers

What are some tangibles that the men all carried?

A big bandage in the helmet, green poncho, ammunition, dog tags. Signup and view all the answers

What intangible burdens did the men carry?

Guilt and fear, ghosts of their pasts. Signup and view all the answers

When and where was Tim O'Brien born, and where was he raised?

He was born in 1946 in Austin, Minnesota, and raised in Worthington, Minnesota. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Tim O'Brien graduate before being drafted?

Macalester College Signup and view all the answers

What years did O'Brien serve in the Vietnam War?

From 1969 to 1970 Signup and view all the answers

Where did O'Brien attend graduate school after the war?

Harvard University Signup and view all the answers

When was 'The Things They Carried' published?

In 1990, almost 2 decades after his return from Vietnam. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'The Things They Carried' about according to Tim O'Brien?

The power of writing and storytelling Signup and view all the answers

How is O'Brien's involvement in the Vietnam War characterized?

Influential, defining his career as a writer. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates 'The Things They Carried' from other novels set during war?

It was written many years after the war ended. Signup and view all the answers

What is the chronological order of O'Brien's publications about the Vietnam War?

If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home (1973), Going After Cacciato (1978), The Things They Carried (1990). Signup and view all the answers

How does Tim O'Brien contribute to the writing community?

By teaching others to write by drawing on personal experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is O'Brien's perspective on historical writing?

It is so complex that no one story can capture an event. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vocabulary Terms

Elusive: Difficult to express or define.
Dictated: Commanded or directed decisively.
Intransitive: Not taking a direct object in a sentence.
Insecticide: A substance used for killing insects.
Insignia: A badge or distinguishing mark of military rank.
Volition: The power of using one's will.
Lingo: Specialized vocabulary used by a particular group.
Mortification: Great embarrassment and shame.
Negligence: Failure to take proper care in doing a task.
Impose: To force something to be expected by another.
Confiscate: To seize by authority; to take and keep.
Dysentery: A disorder affecting the lower intestinal tract.
Foxhole: A shallow pit dug by a soldier in combat.
Grunts: Infantrymen; soldiers on the front line.
Hump: To carry on the back, often used slangily.
Interval: A space between events or periods.
Laxity: Laziness or lack of strictness.
Malaria: Infectious disease spread by mosquitoes.
Platoon: A subdivision of a military company.
Rucksack: A type of backpack.

Key Quotes and Context

Lieutenant Jimmy Cross: Struggles with his feelings for Martha after the death of Ted Lavender; seeks discipline in his leadership.
Quote: "Do rats carry rabies?" - Reflects tension and fear amongst soldiers awaiting dangerous tasks.
Mitchell Sanders: Comments on drug use in a moment of grief, illustrating attempts to cope with trauma.
Kiowa: Carries a New Testament; symbolizes faith amid chaos and conflict.
Pebble from Martha: Represents Jimmy's longing and the emotional burdens he carries.

Chapter Insights

Narrative Perspective: Chapter one presents a third-person perspective; chapter two shifts to first-person narration, facilitating a more intimate exploration of emotions.
Irony: Soldiers carry more emotional burdens than physical supplies; relaxation leads to unforeseen tragedy.
Humor as Coping: Soldiers use humor to mitigate serious topics, such as joking about Ted Lavender's death connected to drug use.
Themes of Love: Jimmy’s feelings for Martha highlight the complexities of love amidst war; Martha’s coldness suggests emotional distance.

Character Analysis

Lieutenant Jimmy Cross: Carries tangible items (Martha’s letters, good luck charms) and intangible burdens (responsibility and guilt).
Ted Lavender: Represents the dangers of war lost through his relaxed demeanor before being killed; carries fear and narcotics.
Norman Bowker: Struggles with trauma and recollections of war; carries a diary symbolizing ongoing mental burdens.
Kiowa: Dual heritage and faith illustrate the cultural impacts of war.

Author Background

Tim O'Brien: Born in 1946 in Austin, Minnesota; raised in Worthington. His experiences in the Vietnam War influence his writing, focusing on storytelling's power.
Education: Graduated from Macalester College in 1968, later attended Harvard University.
Published Works: His first Vietnam-related novel appeared in 1973, with "The Things They Carried" published in 1990.

Narrative Structure

Repetition: Emphasizes the emotional and physical burdens soldiers face; details surrounding character deaths highlight critical themes of loss and guilt.
Title Significance: Represents both tangible and intangible items carried by soldiers, portraying their identities and experiences in war.

Summary of Events

Death of Ted Lavender: A pivotal moment that impacts the platoon, symbolizing the unpredictable nature of war.
Conversation Dynamics: Kiowa's remarks upset Bowker, showcasing the strains of shared trauma in their interactions.

War's Impact

Collective Burden: Soldiers share emotional weights, illustrating the deep connections formed through trauma.
Writing as Therapy: O'Brien’s narrative underscores the healing potential of conveying war experiences through storytelling.

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Test your knowledge of key vocabulary from the first two chapters of 'The Things They Carried'. This quiz features essential terms and their definitions, helping you understand the text better. Ideal for students looking to enhance their literary vocabulary.