Culminating Project

In groups of three, please complete one of the following tasks:

• Select another short story from The Things They Carried or another work of O'Brien's and create a short film interpretation [10 minutes in length] of the story. Post your completed film short to YouTube and include a written description of the film and the process of transforming a story into a film.
• Research the music of Vietnam: Country Joe and the Fish, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and others. Create a blog containing samples of the music and lyrics as well as lyrical analysis. You must select at least three artists and at least one song from each. 
• Find an article containing a more conservative explanation of the history of the war in Vietnam and compare and contrast that article with chapter 18 from Zinn's A People's History of the United States. Use a wiki or a blog to post your analysis.
• Interview a veteran of the Vietnam War. Prior to the interview, work collaboratively to compose at least 15 thoughtful questions. Film the interview and post it to YouTube or create a blog detailing the veteran's service history as well as a transcript of the interview itself.

Or...

• Create your own culminating task. Leave a comment detailing your proposal.

Day 5: Legacy

Bruce Springsteen is the John Steinbeck of rock & roll. Like Howard Zinn, the themes he explores on his songs and albums celebrate, analyze, and criticize life in small town America. His narrators focus on the burdens of work, life, family, and ambition.

In 1984, Springsteen released his seventh album, Born in the U.S.A.

The album's title track details the struggles of a Vietnam veteran attempting to find his way some ten years after the war. Watch the embedded video below. Listen carefully to both the lyrics and the instrumentation of the song.

Your Assignment:

• In 1984, "Born in the U.S.A." featured prominently in Ronald Reagan's re-election campaign. Reagan and others interpreted the song as a patriotic anthem of sorts. Why is this ironic? Compare and contrast the lyrics and subject matter of the song with its instrumentation and general sound and "poppiness."

Day 4: After the War

Read "Speaking of Courage." Click here to download a word document containing the story.

Your Assignment:

• This is story from a book entitled, The Things They Carried. What is Norman Bowker "carrying?" What does he wish to do with this burden? Use specific references to the story to support your analysis.

Day 3: Making Sense of Combat

In "How to Tell a True War Story," O'Brien attempts to explain the death of Curt Lemon, a young man who is killed when he steps on a land mine while playing an innocent game of catch with a smoke grenade. In his efforts to explain exactly what happened, O'Brien tells several anecdotal stories about Vietnam all while listing contradictory and complex rules for war-related story telling. Click on the title of the story to view the story in a new window.

Your Assignment:

• In one, complex statement, explain O'Brien's rules for telling a "true" war story. Your response can only be one sentence in length; no run-ons! Good luck!
• Comment on 3 of your peer's statements. Provide feedback or specific suggestions. Explain what you feel their statements are missing, and of the three you select, pick the one you feel best summarizes O'Brien's rule. Explain this judgment.
• Write a brief one paragraph reflection on this story. You may focus on a grisly image, your own reaction to the story, or something else of your choosing. Use specific details from the story.

Day 2: Before the War

During this unit we will read and discuss three short stories from Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, a collection of semi-autobiographical short stories.

The first story we will read and discuss, is entitled "On the Rainy River." In the story, O'Brien explains how he reacted when he received his draft notice. He initially fled to the border of Canada, but fear and shame motivate his decision to return home and serve his duty in Vietnam.

Your Assignment:

• Describe Elroy Berdahl. What is the significance of his eyes and how they are described? Explain how you feel he influences Tim's decision to ultimately serve in the war. Explain whether you feel he helps or hinder's Tim.
• Explain how O'Brien's decision to serve in Vietnam is motivated by fear, shame, and a sense of moral ambiguity. Include specific references and details from the story to support your analysis.
• Comment on 3 posts from yesterday's reading from Howard Zinn.

Day 1: Building Background Knowledge

We will begin our unit on Tim O'Brien's Vietnam inspired fiction with an excerpt from a non-fiction reading: Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.

Howard Zinn (1922-2010) was a historian, author, and social activist. He joined the Army Air Force during WWII, serving as a member of the 490th Bombardment Group. His wartime experiences shaped his strong anti-war sentiments. 

Pictured: Zinn during WWII

In 1980, he published A People's History of the United States. The book is Zinn's attempt to retell the story of America's history from the perspective of the common people, not through the voices of the political elite.

Before reading the book's chapter on Vietnam, it is relevant to note that this is history written with a political agenda. Keep that in mind as you read.

Click the link below.

A People's History of the United States: Chapter 18: "The Impossible Victory: Vietnam"

Your Assignment: 

• Post a comment on this blog entry in which you identify 5 interesting facts. In a sentence or two, explain why you found each entry interesting.
• Select and explain 1 example from the chapter in which you feel Howard Zinn is demonstrating his political bias.

Something to consider: In order for me to give you credit for completing your blog post comments, I must be able to identify you. Thus, you need to begin each post by identifying yourself or create a blogger account with a picture.