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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 personal item did Tim "bury" in the river?

2. What was the young man trying to show Kiowa before "the whole field blew up around them?"

3. What source of light gave away the platoon's position?

4. Which is NOT a way Norman Bowker attempts to return to normal life?

5. Where is the first draft of the story inspired by Norman Bowker published?

Short Essay Questions

1. What power do stories have for people dealing with death?

2. How does Norman Bowker ultimately cope with returning home?

3. What is Norman's assessment of his valor and bravery?

4. How does Tim react to Bobby Jorgenson's failings as a medic?

5. Do you agree with Kiowa or Tim's point of view about the kill? Why?

6. How does Rat Kiley cope with the difficult mission of up all night, and sleeping during the day?

7. How is Norma Bowker's life before the war and after the war contrasted?

8. What is the main struggle for the narrator/author in the chapter "Good Form?"

9. How do Henry Dobbins and Azar disagree about the girl's motive to dance?

10. Who does Tim go on a trip with and where do they go?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Most novels have critic blurbs on the cover or in media advertising for the book. Choose one critic's blurb about "The Things They Carried" and respond to the quote. Do you agree or disagree with the critic's assessment of the novel, and where is there evidence in the novel to support your point of view?

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

Although the book is labeled "a work of fiction," it reads very similar to a memoir- a recollection of events and people from the author's past. Explain any indications that Tim O'Brien may not be a trustworthy narrator. Where in the text are there signs he is leaving something out, or passages where the reader should second-guess his account? Are there particular passages where a reader may be more likely to believe O'Brien's narrative? Use no less than three specific areas of text to evaluate Tim O'Brien as a reliable or unreliable narrator.

(see the answer keys)

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