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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 activity does Norman Bowker do to avoid his troubles?

2. Who mimics the girl's dancing later that night, making Henry Dobbins angry?

3. Who does Rat Kiley accuse of whispering his name?

4. What is the name of Tim's daughter?

5. Who makes the decision to NOT alert Lt. Cross about finding the body?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Tim invent about the man he killed?

4. What is the purpose of the visit to the battlefield where Kiowa was killed?

5. What was Tim's first experience with death?

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

7. How did the men recover Kiowa's body?

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

9. Explain Tim's dilemma about how he killed a man on the trail outside My Khe.

10. Explain who feels blame for Kiowa's death.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story of Kiowa's death is told from at least two different point of views. Using all textual evidence and your own assumptions, what do you think really happened? What was the role of Norman Bowker, Lieutenant Cross, and Tim O'Brien? Who is the most responsible for Kiowa's death?

Essay Topic 2

The "Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong" addresses the theme of acceptance and persons becoming a product of their environment. Explain the transformation Mary Anne Bell goes through from her arrival in Vietnam until her ultimate disappearance, and compare it to some other experience of characters or real-life people becoming the product of their environment.

Essay Topic 3

Explain Lieutenant Cross's responsibility or perceived responsibility in the various deaths of his men. How does he react to each one? Do his actions live up to his words and thoughts of improvement as a leader?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 973 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample