Monday, April 4, 2011Good morning, English 11!

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful break!

Reflective Essay

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The Things They Carried

We’re going to begin reading The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien.

The Things They Carried War is often romanticized.

We have seen many war movies made over the years that make war look exciting and makes the men who fight it look masculine and heroic. However, one of the definitions of romantic is “Not based on fact; imaginary or fictitious.” When we think of the military we want to think of them only as brave heroes, but is this the whole picture?

The Things They Carried

Watch part of Born on the Fourth of July (first 42 minutes). Write a thoughtful response to the journal prompt and place it next to my lectern before you leave today.

The Things They Carried

1. Write about some specific ways war is romanticized in our society. What are some events, sayings, attitudes or teachings that convey the message that war is glorious? (Watch for these in the movie.)

2. Which realities are ignored?

3. Write about a scene that affected you. What did it make you think about?