The Things They Carried

Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried,” is about a lot of things, namely how in the time of war, the men in his unit carried many things. Not just the physical things they needed to carry out their missions, but personal things, like photographs, lucky charms and most of all emotions. For instance, “In April/Lieutenant Jimmy Cross received a good-luck charm from Martha/smooth to the touch, it was a milky white color with flecks of orange and violet, oval-shaped, like a miniature egg.” (O’Brien, page 8). This was one of the things the Lieutenant held dear, since it was from Martha, who he dreamed of and envisioned along the Jersey Shore, where she says it came from. He used this and the photos and letters received from Martha, to keep him in touch with the world, he once knew, before the war. It took him away to a place he longed to be. But instead, it was his downfall. He was too busy daydreaming about Martha, when Ted Lavender was shot and killed. He had let his guard down and one of his men paid the ultimate price.
After Lavender’s death , “He felt shame. He hated himself. He had loved Martha more than his men, and as a consequence, Lavender was now dead, and this was something he would have to carry like a stone in his stomach for the rest of the war.” (O’Brien, page 16). So, not only did the men carry things, personal physical things, but emotional things, guilt, grief, shame, love and passion.
In the end, Lieutenant Cross, did love his men, he vowed to be a better Officer. Lieutenant discarded his personal things that reminded him of Martha. “/crouched at the bottom of his foxhole and burned Martha’s letters. Then he burned the two photographs. (O’Brien, page 23).
This story is profound in that it describes in detail some of the things that these soldiers needed to get through this war. It also describes the emotions they went through. The pride they felt, the sorrow, the anger and most of all the memories which they will carry forever.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Things_They_Carried

The Ghost Soldiers

This short story is about a soldier whose name is Tim O’Brien who explains one of his experiences while in Viet Nam. He tells the story of his comrades who played war games at night to entertain themselves. This was about a medic, by the name of Jorgenson, who Tim thought wronged him when he was shot in combat. The new medic froze while treating Tim and he contracted a bad infection. Tim was bitter and angry. Tim was taken out of combat and sent to safe havens, a supply detail. The medic apologized, but Tim could not accept his apology. He wanted revenge, and so enlisted one of his buddies to play a game. In the end, it was Tim who was shaken by the game.
Tim O’Brien was in holding a grudge against this medic, became fearful of him. He was jealous, because the medic was an accepted comrade and he was out. He was now the civilian. During the game, he was frightened by the fact that he was wrong in trying to scare Jorgenson. It was petty, it didn’t work! In the end, he was angry with his buddy Azar, who wouldn’t stop the game and humiliated him. His guilt consumed him and he apologized to Jorgenson. Jorgenson was the bigger man, in that he knew the whole time what Tim was planning.

Sam Hamill Response
Sam Hamills’, “The necessity to Speak,” I thought was interesting in that it makes you look at how to write a poem. How writing poetry, in great detail tries to get you to see the author’s truth. To write of the things you may not want to see. Because you want to deny the reality of the world we live in. This was great example of different styles of poetry and why people write poetry the way they do.
It was interesting to read about his opinion on violence, how violence is a cycle. I believe this to be true. Those who were abused as children become the abusers. Women in abuse relationships, often repeat the cycle of going into another abusive relationship. Men in prison, eventually return to prison, because they have become institutionalized and lack the skills to stay out of prison. The fact that death row inmates may have had unfortunate childhoods and were abused is true. However, I do believe if you take a life, in certain circumstances, you should be executed. I don’t believe that women who have been abused and kill their abusers should be executed. I believe that this is self-defense and they should not be executed.
When he speaks of war, to some extent I agree. However, over the centuries of our existence there has been war. War is a fact of life and somehow it seems we cannot escape it. I am a very compassionate person, and I don’t like violence, but I do believe that war is sometimes a necessary thing. The fact that we allow recruiters to come into our schools, is questionable. We try to protect our children from so much. However, it’s ok to let recruiters on to high school campuses to recruit our children? I get his point there.
“The first duty of the writer is the rectification of names—to name things properly/ all wisdom in learning to call things by the right name.” (Hamill, page 549). This is a great quote. I do like the idea that the author in this case is vulnerable and is taking responsibility for what we interpret in their meaning.
“Knowledge is the loss of innocence.” (Hamill, page 550). I also like this quote in that I believe this to be true. We try to protect our children from certain things. Certainly, we lose our innocence when learning of some of the horrible things that have happened in history. Some of it is so ugly and vile. I think there is a time and place for everything and when a child is ready to learn of these things we should teach them. I think knowledge is truth.
“The true poet gives up the self.” (Hamill, page 551). I think this quote is quite true as well. In writing poetry the author allows you to experience for yourself what he or she is seeing, experiencing. It allows you to go through what they are going through. To use your imagination, and place yourself there or at least look at things from the author’s point of view.
I think Hamill, is a great teacher, author and activist. He breaks down how to write a poem. What you should keep in mind while writing it. I think it’s great that he teaches in prisons. He is very talented in his description of how to write what may not ordinarily acceptable by society.
http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/733

Daffodils

Daffodils.

I picked this poem, because I like daffodils. They are one of my favorite flowers. At the same time I can relate to the feeling that we should protect our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In Ostrikers’ poem “Daffodils,” she states, “Don’t you think it is our business to defend it,” (lines 33-34). I am grateful for our troops, who protect us so that we can enjoy the simple things in life, like the daffodils. Too often, we take for granted our freedoms here in America. Our service men and women give up so much so that we can enjoy life without really worrying too much about our security. What do we give them in return? Not nearly enough.
Spring time brings the daffodils! I love spring, it’s a time for renewal, and this makes me happy. It’s a time when we throw out the old to make room for the new. “With their outstretched arms and ruffled cups/ blowing in the wind” (lines 3-4). “Look at this light, and color, a splash of brilliant yellow” (lines 27-28). These quotes are good descriptions that made me imagine the beautiful little daffodil. I think they do look like they dance.
We are sometimes so busy complaining. “Life is hard,” “but better than the alternatives/” are those little daffodils (lines 25-26). Yes, life is hard. But if you really think about it we are truly blessed to be living in a free country. So many people don’t have the same rights or opportunities. As bad as war is, sometimes it’s necessary. Sometimes there are good things that come as a result of war, like change and freedom for people who are less fortunate that we are. Many of those who have been oppressed are grateful for their new freedoms. It is unfortunate that people have to die for freedom, but it is the way of the world. It’s been going on for centuries. This poem just helped me to remember to be grateful for every day. We should not complain so much, we should be grateful for all that we have and the people who make it possible. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War

Response to Poems

Compendium of Lost Objects.

I can really relate to this poem. It touches me in ways none of the others could. I was born in New Orleans, and if you’ve ever been there, you could somehow relate to the poem too. New Orleans is a fascinating city. The old buildings, the French Quarter, the many wonderful restaurants, but mostly the culture and the wonderful people of New Orleans will stay with you always. There is a phrase that is often used, “Le Bon Ton Roule,” which translated means “let the good times roll.” This city was alive always. For instance, when people die, they have Jazz funerals. It’s a celebration of the person’s life. Yes, it’s really sad when someone dies, but in our culture, we believe that the “Saints go marching on!” So it’s a ritual to send them along with a celebration.
The entire country was touched by what happened there, and it is still in the back of my mind. It was a very sad time for me and my family. The images from the Superdome which housed so many displaced New Orleans residents, was incomprehensible.
I’m sure the author feels hurt by all that was lost that day, but more profound what she sees and describes in her poem, really rings true. In Cooley’s poem “Compendium of Lost Objects” some of the things described in her poem, like “the pink-shuttered house on the streetcar line/” (line 9), really hits home, because I know where this is. It is uptown where there are old historic homes that were so beautiful, you would never forget them if you saw them. The houses in this area have at least three levels that feature lots of windows with shutters. “The parks Live Oaks” there are many parks there and lots of large old oak trees, made for lovely picnics and family gatherings. (line 7)
The images of people displaced, were heart-wrenching. It was devastating to hear that this hurricane crushed my birthplace. Even though there is a lot of rebuilding, it will never be the same. http://www.nola.com/katrina/; http://www.poemoftheweek.org/id241.html

My Welcome Video

Nabokov

What does Nabokov think makes a good reader?
1. The reader should have imagination.
2. The reader should have memory.
3. The reader should have a dictionary.
4. The reader should have some artistic sense.
Do you agree? Yes, I do agree.
What do you believe are the characteristics of a good reader?
I think the most important thing is to have an imagination. Having memory is good, however I don’t think it is necessary to be a good reader. You can always go back if you don’t remember a particular passage or paragraph and reread it. Time, is a big one for me. One should have time to devote to and concentrate on while reading. I think a dictionary is very important in the event that you don’t know what a particular word means you can look it up. However, in the age of the internet, it’s not as necessary, one could just Google it. I do believe a good reader should have some artistic sense. I think as humans we all have imagination and artistic sense on some level. I like the idea of feeling with the spine. If I am reading a book, I like to really think deeply about what the author is trying to portray. Even if I don’t agree with his or her point of view, I try to keep an open mind and really think about the story that is being told.
Do you consider yourself a good reader? Yes, I consider myself a good reader. I am a busy person, so I don’t get to read for pleasure as much as I would like to. But I read every day, mostly for research in my work. But I do have an imagination, concentration when necessary and I think I have some artistic sense. I think I was a better reader when I was younger, mostly because I spent most summers reading and at the library. I really enjoy reading for pleasure.
http://www.gailborden.info/m/