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Understanding the Complexities of Fighting in Vietnam: Perspectives from "The Things They Carried"

In Tim O’Brien’s "The Things They Carried," Day 3 delves into the stark realities of combat in Vietnam through close readings of pivotal pages. This session explores the background of the Vietnamese soldier killed by O’Brien, examining why he enlisted in the Viet Cong and contrasting this with O'Brien's motivations for fighting. It also discusses the tactics used, such as guerrilla warfare and the implications of "free fire zones," alongside the gruesome impacts of bombing and search-and-destroy missions on civilians. This analysis reveals the conflicting narratives surrounding the Vietnam War.

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Understanding the Complexities of Fighting in Vietnam: Perspectives from "The Things They Carried"

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Presentation Transcript

  1. The Things They Carried Day 3 Aim: What was life like fighting in Vietnam?

  2. The Man I Killed/Ambush • Close Reading: page 119, page 122, page 127 • What is the background of the Vietnamese soldier that died? Why does the Vietnamese soldier enlist in the army? (Viet Cong) • Why does Tim O’Brien fight? Why does he kill the Vietnamese soldier? • How are these perspectives different from what the US government states as a reason to go to war with Vietnam?

  3. Style • What happened to the little girl’s village?

  4. Did not know who the enemy was… • Who are we fighting? North or South Vietnam? • Guerilla hit and run tactics • Used to jungle environment • Booby traps “bouncing betties” and “toe poppers” • Use of elaborate tunnels • Withstand air-raids • Can launch surprise attacks • Ho Chi Minh trail

  5. General Westmoreland’s Strategy • Cannot discern friend from foe • War of Attrition (decline in numbers would lead to a demoralizing of Vietcong) • Use of land mines • Carpet-bombing of North and South Vietnam (2X more than Europe and Asia in WWII) • “free fire zones:” everyone considered an enemy • Napalm: gas-based bomb set fires • Agent Orange: leaf-killing • Search and Destroy missions: uprooting civilians, killing livestock, burning villages

  6. In the Field • How does Kiowa die? Who is to blame?

  7. Officers vs. Privates • Officers: volunteers, college educated, ROTC • Privates: draftees • Led to “fragging,” disobeying orders, AWOL (absent without leave), army desertion (89,000 by 1971)

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