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Book Background Info
Characters
Events
Plot Summary
Miscellaneous
100
Who is the author of the book?
Tim O' Brien
100
Who is the narrator and protagonist of the collection of stories?
Tim O’Brien
100
What do the men of the Alpha Company, especially Tim O’Brien, grapple?
They grapple with the effects—both immediate and long-term—of the Vietnam War.
100
What is the time and setting in the book?
Late 1960s and late 1980s Primarily Vietnam, but also U.S. locations including Iowa and Massachusetts.
100
Who is the protagonist in the story?
Tim O'Brien
200
What is the genre of the book?
War stories; coming-of-age stories; memory stories
200
Who is the lieutenant of the Alpha Company and is responsible for the entire group of men?
Jimmy Cross.
200
In the summer of 1968, Tim O’Brien receives a draft notice. What does he decide to do?
Despite a desire to follow his convictions and flee to Canada, he feels he would be embarrassed to refuse to fulfill his patriotic duty and so concedes to fight in Vietnam.
200
What is the rising action?
In the summer of 1968, Tim O’Brien receives a draft notice. Despite a desire to follow his convictions and flee to Canada, he feels he would be embarrassed to refuse to fulfill his patriotic duty and so concedes to fight in Vietnam.
200
What is Linda's symbolism?
Linda symbolizes a form of youthful innocence.
300
When and where was the book written?
Massachsetts, LATE 1980S
300
He is kind and devoted, and he has a strong sense of justice. Because of these qualities, he is a type of father figure.
Mitchell Sanders
300
During their tour of duty, what must the men of the Alpha Company take in action?
The men of the Alpha Company must cope with the loss of their own men and the guilt that comes from killing and watching others die.
300
What is the rising action?
During their tour of duty, the men of the Alpha Company must cope with the loss of their own men and the guilt that comes from killing and watching others die.
300
What does Mary Anne Bell symbolize?
She symbolizes everything good about the United State of America. With her pink sweater and culottes, she is the All-American girl.
400
When was the book first published?
1990
400
O’Brien’s closest friend and a model of quiet, rational morality amid the atrocities of war
Kiowa
400
After he returns from war, how does O’Brien grapples his memories?
He tells stories about Vietnam.
400
What is the falling action?
After he returns from war, O’Brien grapples with his memories by telling stories about Vietnam.
400
What is the mood of the story
Tragic reflection and sadness.
500
What type of work is this book?
Collection of interconnected short stories.
500
During the war, he is quiet and unassuming, and Kiowa’s death has a profound effect on him.
Norman Bowker
500
O’Brien mentions the deaths of there men before he gives detailed accounts of how and when they died in later stories. Who are these three men?
Ted Lavender, Curt Lemon, and Kiowa
500
What is the major conflict?
The men of the Alpha Company, especially Tim O’Brien, grapple with the effects of the Vietnam war.
500
Analyze and give the theme of the quote. “Twenty years. A lot like yesterday, a lot like never. In a way, maybe, I’d gone under with Kiowa, and now after two decades I’d finally worked myself out. A hot afternoon, a bright August sun, and the war was over.” (Page 187)
Theme - Redemption