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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What purpose does the chapter 'Love' fill for the novel?

2. How much money is the "Emergency Fund" envelope?

3. How many monks are there to help the men with camp?

4. What are Tim's duties at the pig factory?

5. What word does Ted Lavender use to describe the war?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the story of Rat Kiley killing the baby water buffalo a "love" story?

2. When Lee Strunk returns from sick bay, how does Dave Jensen react?

3. Who did you think was the victim as you read the chapter, and who did you think was the victim once you finished it? Why?

4. What is so unbelievable about Rat Kiley's story?

5. What caused Henry Dobbins to rule out a career as a minister?

6. What does Dave Jensen do to make himself square with Lee Strunk?

7. Give a description of boredom as used in the novel.

8. Why do you think Curt's sister gives the response she does?

9. What are Henry Dobbins' tentative plans for after the war?

10. How were Lieutenant Cross's tears misinterpreted after the death of Ted Lavender?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many places where the concepts of right and wrong are blurred in the pages of "The Things They Carried." Ideas of draft dodging, self-inflicted wounds, disrespecting the dead, and even theft are handled with lightness. What do you think the narrator/author is trying to say about the morality of war? Chose a couple of instances in the text where conventional morality is disregarded, and explain the purpose of this device to influence the reader.

Essay Topic 2

"The Things They Carried" is very specific about the items the men carried into battle. Choose three significant objects and explain who they belong to, why it was considered important, and what the object represented for the soldier and the reader.

Essay Topic 3

We know very little about the character named Azar, but he appears always present to antagonize the other men in the platoon. Explain how Azar is a flat or round character, his role in the novel, and if there are any other characters like him in "The Things They Carried."

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This section contains 1,096 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample