4. Which of the following is the best definition of the term shorn as used in the following sentence? Everyone is sober, shaven and shorn after raising their hands and reciting an oath.

5. What does O'Brien think will happen to him in the rainforest in Vietnam?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does O'Brien spend his last summer before starting basic training?

2. Why does the Chaplain disappoint O'Brien?

3. After he starts his interest in politics, what does O'Brien begin to do?

4. What provides O'Brien with his only intellectual connection?

5. What is available at the combat center for entertainment?

6. What is sometimes the cause of the explosive ordinance attacks?

7. Describe the backdrop for O'Brien's upbringing.

8. What philosophical conversation does O'Brien attempt to hold with the captain?

9. How does O'Brien see himself during basic training?

10. Describe Alpha Company as O'Brien first meets them.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay describing how you are similar to O'Brien. Use many complete details and include a personal response as to why you feel that way.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about why O'Brien went through most of Vietnam feeling alone and isolated when he was surrounded by people. Should he have felt alone? Do you think O'Brien isolated himself, events isolated him, or his peers isolated him? Why do you feel that way?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay describing which event in the story struck you as being the most horrible and why. How does this event compare to any event in your own life which you had previously considered horrible? Describe how levels of horror may change throughout one's life.

(see the answer keys)

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