The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien
“The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong”
What is Rat’s reputation with the men? How honest is he?
Describe Rat’s first military job.
Who are the Greenies? Describe them.
What is “the Song Tra Bong”?
What was Mark Fossie’s “great idea”?
Describe Mary Anne. (Clothes, skin, age….)
What was Mark & Mary Anne’s relationship? What are their future plans?
What was Mary Anne’s response to Vietnam & the war?
How did Mary Anne respond to the medical traumas?...To danger?
When Mary Anne does not come home the first night, what does Fossie suspect?
How did she change as a result of her conversation with Fossie the next morning?
How did she respond to Fossie’s arrangements to send her home?
How could they tell Mary Anne had changed?
Why do people not buy this story?
How does Fossie know she is “back”? When they go in what is around her neck?
What does Mary Anne tell them they “don’t know”? pg 111 What is her connection to Vietnam?
How was Vietnam like a “powerful drug”? (114)
What did they think happened to Maryanne?
How is Maryanne a symbol for many soldiers that went to Vietnam? Make as many connections as possible.