The Things They Carried Chapters 5-7 Quiz

Questions and Answers

Who broke whose nose and why?

Dave Jensen broke Lee Strunk's nose in a fistfight over a missing jackknife.

How did the fight affect Dave Jensen?

Jensen was scared of Strunk. He felt it was 'like fighting two different wars.'

What did Jensen do to resolve the conflict?

He decided that the only way to resolve the problem was by breaking his own nose and then asking Strunk for forgiveness.

What pact did Dave Jensen and Lee Strunk make?

If either of them was wounded in war, they would end the person's suffering and kill them on the spot. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Strunk after the pact was made?

Lee Strunk stepped on a rigged mortar round that destroyed his right leg at the knee. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Strunk afraid of Jensen, and what was Jensen forced to promise?

Strunk was afraid of Jensen killing him at any moment since they made the pact. Strunk made Jensen promise multiple times that he wouldn't kill him. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when you 'send guys to war'?

They return changed, with their experiences forever altering them. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Kurt Lemon?

Curt Lemon stepped on a mine during a game with Rat Kiley and was blown apart. Signup and view all the answers

How does O'Brien describe Lemon's death?

O'Brien calls Lemon's death 'beautiful' because of the way it occurred amidst nature's beauty. Signup and view all the answers

Why was it difficult to 'separate what happened from what seemed to happen'?

What seemed to happen became its own story when retold, often becoming exaggerated. Signup and view all the answers

What mission did the patrol have up in the mountains?

They had a basic listening-post operation where they sat in silence waiting for enemy movement. Signup and view all the answers

What did the patrol hear up on the mountains?

They heard soft music and voices discussing various topics as if the jungle was alive. Signup and view all the answers

What did the patrol do about what they heard up on the mountains?

Initially, they tried to ignore the sounds, but eventually they called for backup. Signup and view all the answers

What is the moral of Sander's story?

Nobody listens, and they need to go on patrol to truly understand the horrors of war. Signup and view all the answers

What does Sanders say about his story after he tells it?

He admits that he made up some parts of the story. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the VC water buffalo?

Rat Kiley shot the VC water buffalo to cause it pain rather than to kill it. Signup and view all the answers

What did Rat do after he killed the buffalo?

He cried while he cradled his rifle and left the group to be by himself. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'proximity of death' bring with it?

It brings a following proximity to life, making one happy to still be alive. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'only certainty' that Tim O'Brien has?

The only certainty is that war is confusing and elicits jumbled emotions. Signup and view all the answers

What wakes up Tim 20 years later?

The moral or true meaning of his war story, but he forgets it soon after. Signup and view all the answers

What did Tim think Lemon Kurt thought had killed him?

He thought the sunlight was killing him. Signup and view all the answers

When Tim tells the nice middle-aged woman his story, what does she say he should do?

She says he should get over the past and make new memories. Signup and view all the answers

What does Tim want to tell the lady about the buffalo and everything else?

Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Conflict and Its Resolution

Dave Jensen broke Lee Strunk's nose during a fistfight over a missing jackknife, highlighting tensions within the group.
After the fight, Jensen felt fear surrounding Strunk, equating the emotional turmoil to "fighting two different wars," signifying stress both on and off the battlefield.
To mend their conflict and seek forgiveness, Jensen broke his own nose, which Strunk accepted as a resolution.

The Pact Between Soldiers

Jensen and Strunk entered a pact stating they would end any suffering if one of them was severely wounded in combat.
Strunk's misfortune occurred when he stepped on a rigged mortar round, resulting in the amputation of his right leg.

Fear and Promises

Strunk's injury intensified his apprehension about Jensen killing him as per their pact, leading him to demand multiple reassurances from Jensen that he wouldn't fulfill their agreement.

Tragic Death of Kurt Lemon

Kurt Lemon died in a game gone wrong when he accidentally triggered a landmine, illustrating the horrors of war through a moment of playfulness turned fatal.
O'Brien reflects on Lemon's death as "beautiful," acknowledging the surreal and tragic nature of his demise amidst the chaotic beauty of the surroundings.

The Complexity of Memory

O'Brien discusses the difficulty of distinguishing between reality and perceived events, emphasizing storytelling's ability to exaggerate and misconstrue memories.
The mission involved a basic listening-post operation wherein silence was crucial to detect enemy movements.

Strange Sounds in the Wilderness

The patrol heard unusual music, including "soft, kind of wacked out" sounds, resulting in a surreal and troubling distraction that mirrored the war's absurdity.
Struggling with stress and fear, the men initially ignored the sounds but ultimately called for backup, leading to a destructive encounter with the jungle.

The Moral Reflection

Sanders reflects on the need for soldiers to truly listen to understand both the enemy and the horrors of war, emphasizing the disconnect between perceptions and realities of conflict.
After recounting a story, Sanders admits to fabricating certain details, demonstrating how narratives can blend fact with fiction.

Rat Kiley's Emotional Breakdown

Rat Kiley inflicted pain on a VC water buffalo, signifying the psychological toll of war on soldiers and their struggles with empathy.
Following the buffalo's death, Kiley distanced himself from his comrades, crying in isolation, showcasing the emotional burden carried by soldiers.

The Dual Nature of War

The "proximity of death" experienced in battle enhances appreciation for life, highlighting how such experiences can alter perceptions of existence.
Tim O'Brien acknowledges that war creates confusion and complex emotions, underscoring the varying interpretations of wartime experiences.

Reflection on the Past

Years later, Tim desires to confront the moral complexities of his war stories but often forgets these reflections, emphasizing the pervasive nature of trauma.
He recalls that Kurt Lemon believed sunlight was the cause of his demise, conveying the disorienting nature of wartime perceptions.

Conversations with the Past

A middle-aged woman advised Tim to move on from his past and create new memories to share, highlighting societal pressures to cope with trauma.
Tim grapples with his urge to discuss the buffalo and other experiences, revealing the struggle between wanting to express deeply personal memories and confronting the shadows of war.

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Description

Test your knowledge of chapters 5-7 from 'The Things They Carried'. This quiz covers key events, character interactions, and themes that shape the narrative. Perfect for students wanting to reinforce their understanding of the text.