Lecture Notes: Analysis of Chapters in "The Things They Carried"

Chapter 12: Structure and Themes

• Chapter Structure:
  • Use of description and repetition.
• Physical Feature Highlighted:
  • Repeated focus on a star-shaped wound.
• O’Brien’s Imagination of Past:
  • Imagines the man as an innocent farmer.
• Kiowa’s Comforting Approach:
  • Tries to console O’Brien by explaining the logic of war.
• Tone:
  • Reflective and tragic.
• Effect of Repetitive Details:
  • Increases tension and guilt.

Chapter 13: Ambush

• O’Brien’s Questioner:
  • His daughter asks if he has ever killed anyone.
• Description of the Vietnamese Soldier:
  • Described as scared and small.
• Method of Killing:
  • Killed by a grenade.
• Probable Actions of the Vietnamese Soldier:
  • Would have thrown his grenade.
• Reason for Lying to His Daughter:
  • Believes she wouldn’t understand.
• Storytelling Truth Perspective:
  • Emotional truth is more significant than factual truth.

Chapter 14: Style

• Vietnamese Girl’s Behavior:
  • Displays strange behavior by dancing.
• Village Incident:
  • It was attacked and burned.
• Azar’s Reaction to Dancing:
  • He mocks the girl.
• Dobbins’ Reaction to Azar:
  • Threatens Azar in response.
• Meaning of the Girl’s Dance:
  • Represents mental collapse or grief.

Chapter 15: Speaking of Courage

• Norman Bowker’s Actions:
  • Drives in circles throughout the chapter.
• Reason for Circling the Lake:
  • Cannot stop thinking about his experiences.
• Imagined Conversation with Father:
  • Imagines telling his father about earning medals.
• Medal Almost Won:
  • Almost won the Silver Star.
• Reason for Not Winning the Medal:
  • Was unable to save Kiowa.

Structure and Tone

• Chapter Structure:
  • Similar to Chapter 12, employs description and repetition.
• Repeating Physical Feature:
  • Star-shaped wound revisited.
• Emotional Tone:
  • Reflective and tragic, enhancing feelings of tension and guilt.