NAME: ___________________
ENG II H
DATE: ___________
RIVCHIN
CHAPTERS 8- 9: “THE DENTIST” & “SWEETHEART OF THE SONG TRA BONG”
PGS. 85-110
Directions: For the sake of brevity, keep your answers succinct – but be sure you have
thoroughly answered the question!
1a. “The Dentist” is an extremely short chapter, but O’Brien must have had a point for including it in
this novel. Why does Curt Lemon pull out his perfectly good tooth?
1b. Refer back to your list of motifs and identify at least one that is conveyed in this chapter. In
what other chapters – other than “Spin” – have you noticed this motif?
2. According to Tim, why does Rat Kiley embellish when telling a war story? (85)
3. Describe how Mary Anne is dressed when she first arrives in Chu Lai – give specific details. (86)
Who would play her in a film version of this story? Why?
4. While telling this story, Rat Kiley would snap at anyone who called Mary Anne “dumb.” He barks
in response, “’She wasn’t dumb. I never said that. Young, that’s all I said … a girl, that’s the only
difference, and I’ll tell you something: it didn’t amount to jack’” (93).
What does he then say Mary Anne has in common with every single young soldier in Vietnam?
What THEME or message is O’Brien striving to get across to his readers about all soldiers in all
wars? (SHOULD BE A COMPLETE SENTENCE!)
5. Write your best THESIS STATEMENT for this story, based on the theme you identified above.
Refer back to your thesis generator if you need help.
6. In what important activity at the outpost does Mary Anne become very involved? Rat describes
her as “quiet and steady … she enjoyed the adrenaline buzz … you just stuck your hands in and
started plugging up holes” (93).
7. Name ONE change in Mary Anne’s habits or appearance that demonstrate how she is
BEGINNING to change.
8. When Mary Anne starts disappearing at night, Mark Fossie initially suspects she is sleeping with
Eddie Diamond (96). However, according to Rat, Mary Anne is really “cheating” on her boyfriend
with ____________________.
9. By the end of the chapter, which group has Mary Anne joined up with? (97) Was this a real
group?
10. By chapter’s end, what disturbing accessory is Mary Anne sporting? (105) Hint: They do not
sell this at Claire’s.
11. Ultimately, what happens to Mary Anne Bell? (110 – last pg. of chapter) Is the conclusion of
this story optimistic, pessimistic, neither, both, or ambiguous? Explain.