LASALLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
MODERN U.S. HISTORY; 1960 to the PRESENT SUMMER READING 2013
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
BOOK:
The Things They Carried by Tim O’ Brien.
ISBN: 13: 978-0618706419
Kindle Available: $ 8.52
THE THINGS THEY CARRIED
OBJECTIVES: Modern U.S. History students will read the fiction book by Tim O’ Brien
The Things They Carried this summer. In this short story "Good Form", the narrator
makes a distinction between "story truth" and "happening truth".
O'Brien feels that the idea of creating a story that is technically
false yet truthfully portrays war, as opposed to just stating the
facts and creating no emotion in the reader, is the correct way to
clear his conscience and tell the story of thousands of soldiers.
Critics often cite this distinction when commenting on O'Brien's
artistic aims in The Things They Carried and, in general, all of his
fiction about Vietnam, claiming that O'Brien feels that the realities
of the Vietnam War are best explored in fictional form rather than
the presentation of precise facts. The fine line of what constitutes
fiction versus non-fiction is blurred throughout the book, for
though Tim O'Brien claims this book to be fiction, the author and
the protagonist share the same name and same profession as writers. By reading this
work and completing their summer assignment the student will develop their reading,
critical thinking, and writing skills. This is a book that transcends the genre of war
fiction. Actually, it transcends the genre of fiction in general. The book actually deals
with events before and after the Vietnam War. This being a war story, there are some
truly disturbing, graphic, and violent scenes. But there are also scenes that are
haunting, funny, surreal, or ironic.
Assignment:
During the reading you will be responsible for completing the Dialectical Note Taking
Sheet on The Things They Carried to be checked on September 4, 2013. Class
discussion will begin based on your choice of quotes in your note taking sheets.
Remember you must do six (6). A paper will be assigned at the appropriate time in the
course.
Student Name: _________________________________ Book Author/Title: Tim O’Brien, The Things They Carried
Dialectical Note-taking Sheet (The Things They Carried)
Summer reading for incoming seniors
DIRECTIONS: A dialectical note taking sheet is another name for a double-entry journal or a readerresponse journal. This sheet records a dialogue, or conversation, between the ideas in the text (the
words that you are reading) and your own ideas. While you are reading, choose at least 6 passages that
stand out to you and record them in the left-hand column. In the right-hand column, write your in-depth
response to the text. (3-5 sentences) Be sure to include any thoughts, questions, insights, and ideas that
you think are powerful, significant, thought provoking, or puzzling. You may attach additional sheets of
paper if needed, or you can access the LSCHS summer reading site www.lschs.org/social studies) and
download the book outlines to help you complete this chart.
Quotation sample
“You admire the fluid symmetries of troops on
the move, the harmonies of sound and shape
and proportion, the great sheets of metal-fire
streaming down from the starship, the
illumination rounds, the white phosphorous,
the purply orange glow of napalm, the
rocket’s red glare.”
1.
2.
3.
Page
77
This Shows…
This seems to describe something that is both
beautiful and ugly, can there be such a thing in
war?
Quotation:
4.
5.
6.
7.(not required)
Page:
This Shows: