Summer Assignment
The Things They Carried
by Tim O'Brien
Due: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 by 10:30 AM
Welcome to the 11th Grade! For your summer assignment, you will do the following:
1. Read The Things They Carried. Because we will be using this novel in our first unit, we
strongly suggest that you buy your own copy so that you can annotate it during the
summer and during the workshop.
2. Tim O’Brien’s acclaimed novel is about the Vietnam War and the many compelling
issues about the human condition related to each character’s experiences during and after
the war.
ESSAY PROMPT:
A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range
of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify
meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select one symbol present in The Things They
Carried and write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the novel. What
does this symbol reveal about the characters or themes of the work as a whole?
STRUCTURE:
I. Introduction (Map)
II. Body Paragraph 1:
A. Topic sentence
B. Context
C. Quote
D. Analysis
III. Body Paragraph 2:
A. Topic sentence
B. Context
C. Quote
D. Analysis
IV. Conclusion
3. Don't simply retell the story; construct an argument for your particular point of view
about the topic by using examples from the text to support your argument.
4. Requirements:
a. A clear thesis statement and introduction which sets out for your reader the point you
wish to make.
b. In the body paragraphs, provide a very brief synopsis of the scenes you are
discussing. This means writing a sentence or two about each scene to give context to
your argument.
c. An analysis supported by examples from the text, properly quoted or paraphrased and
cited by writing the author and page number in parenthesis after the sentence
(O’Brien 15). You must use at least two direct quotes per body paragraph (4 quotes
total).
d. Do NOT use sources other than O’Brien’s novel to support your views. DO NOT go
on the internet for information. We are interested in YOUR ideas (not SparkNotes,
etc.).
e. This essay should be four paragraphs, approximately 2-4 pages, with an introduction,
two body paragraphs, and conclusion.
f. All drafts must be typed (12-point font), double-spaced, 1" margins.
g. Must have a title other than the book title.
h. Remember to proofread and save your final draft!
i. You will submit your essay to www.turnitin.com, which will scan your essay for
plagiarism, so BE CAREFUL and HONEST!
Class ID: 18164310
Enrollment Key/Password: corebaby
j. Bring in a paper copy also on the first day of school.
5. Be prepared for a closed book reading exam on the first day of school! A reading exam
consists of quote identification, so read carefully and know the characters’ names.
6. You may email Mr. Saavedra with any questions and he will respond when he is
available. Email: tsaavedra@corebaby.org
We look forward to having you next year! Have a good summer!
CHARACTERS
Tim O’Brien- the narrator
Lieutenant Jimmy Cross- responsible for Alpha Company; loves Martha
Mitchell Sanders- one of the soldiers; decent and kind
Kiowa- Tim’s closest friend in Vietnam
Norman Bowker- a soldier whose pain from the war is shown after the war (Speaking of
Courage)
Henry Dobbins- one of the soldiers; decent and kind
Rat Kiley- the medic; he tells the story of Mary Anne (Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong)
Curt Lemon- the soldier who dies playing with a grenade
Ted Lavender- another soldier who dies
Lee Strunk- a soldier whose nose is broken by Dave Jensen
Dave Jensen- a soldier who feels guilty for breaking Strunk’s nose
Azar- a soldier who is cruel and inhumane
Bobby Jorgenson- the medic who replaces Rat Kiley
Elroy Berdahl- the owner of the Tip Top Lodge (On the Rainy River)
Kathleen- O’Brien’s daughter- goes with him back to Vietnam (Field Trip)
Mary Anne- Mark Fossie’s high school girlfriend (Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong)
Mark Fossie- the medic in Rat Kiley’s story; arranges for Mary Anne to come to Vietnam
(Sweetheart...)
Linda- O’Brien’s first childhood girlfriend
Glossary of Military Terms Used in the Story
AO: Area of operation
PFC: Private First Class
RTO: Radio and Telephone Operator
PRC-25: Pronounced “prick 25”
M & Ms: Medical Supplies and Morphine
Psy Ops: Psychological Warfare Operations
R & R: Rest and Relaxation
SOP: Standard Operation Procedure
US KIA: United States Killed in Action
USO: United Service Organization (volunteer entertainment and morale)
VC: Vietcong
