6 paragraph essay, intro, 4 body paragraphs, conclusion
- How/why does Tim O’Brien make certain choices regarding the literary elements below in different stories? Choose 2 literary elements from section A and 2 literary elements from section B.
The following elements will be helpful when discussing The Things They Carried in your analysis and as you annotate your copy of the book:
Literary Elements for Analysis | Questions to Answer for the Associated Element | |
A | Setting – time and place of the work | · When and where does the story take place?
· What tone or mood does the setting suggest? · How does the setting affect the development of the plot? · Does the setting serve as a symbol? |
Character — a person | · How do the important characters think, talk, and act?
· Does a character’s action change over the course of the story or novel? · Does the main character represent an abstract idea, such as honor or truth? |
|
Point of view – the perspective or vantage point from which the story is told | · Is the story told by a first-person, or a third-person, narrator?
· How much does the narrator know? · How does the narrator feel about the characters and events in the story? |
|
B | Symbol – an object that has a meaning of its own but stands for something else | · Does any person, place, or thing seem to have symbolic value?
· If so, what has symbolic value, and how do you know? |
Motif – a recurring image, word, phrase, action, idea, object, or situation that appears in a work (author’s intent and process)
|
A. Story truth vs. happening truth
B. Loneliness and isolation C. Unclear morality D. Shame as motivator E. The idea of storytelling · How does one of the above motifs reveal itself in the text and contribute to the overall meaning? |
|
Word choice or diction – the language used by a writer | · What words describes the type of diction the author uses?
· Which words support this style? · What connotative and denotative suggestions are presented? · How does the author use both the vocabulary from the glossary and other specific diction to contribute to the overall mood/message? |
|
Finally, you should ALWAYS answer:
1. How does the author use the literary element the way he does? To complete your essay, you must address 2. What purpose does this element serve to the overall meaning of the chapter and the book? 3. How would the meaning change if a different choice was made? |
Some tips to ensure success:
- Your analysis should specifically support a focused answer to each question that is provided (see above)
- Do not merely paraphrase the passage! Connect the passage to the question(s) specifically using language in the text and the element’s function in the chapter and/or the novel
- Do not lead off your analysis with “This shows” or “This quote shows.” Find a unique way to lead into your break down of the passage (e.g. O’Brien develops…) Consult your strong verb list for help!
- Use present tense!
- Include page numbers to properly cite!
Moodle Posting Rubric
Criteria | 5 = Strong | 4.5= Very Effective | 4 = Developing | 3.5 = Emerging | 3 = Experimenting | 0 = No post |
Relevance of Quote | Strong supporting example of evidence for the literary element | Very applicable evidence for the literary element | Applicable evidence for the literary element | Evidence is too broad for analysis | Evidence is unrelated to analysis | No post |
Depth of Analysis | Analysis goes beyond element question…provides insight into the reading of the novel and connects evidence masterfully with element’s ideas | Effective analysis of passage which succinctly answers the element question and connects evidence with element in a meaningful way | Some analysis of passage but does not fully connect to the element in a way to suggest connections are existing. | Analysis is essentially paraphrase or summary of plot or seems oversimplified. Connection is left for the reader to make between element and analysis. | Analysis is confusing, inaccurate, or limited. No connection or inaccurate connections made. | No post |
The Things They Carried Chapter Page Counts | ||
“The Things They Carried”
(25 pages) |
“The Dentist”
(3 pages) |
“In the Field”
(15 pages) |
“Love”
(4 pages) |
“Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong”
(26 pages) |
“Good Form”(2 pages) |
“Stockings”
(2 pages) |
“Field Trip”
(7 pages) |
|
“Church”
(5 pages) |
“The Ghost Soldiers” (28 pages) | |
“Spin”
(7 pages) |
“The Man I Killed”
(7 pages) |
“Night Life”
(6 pages) |
“On the Rainy River”
(22 pages) |
“Ambush”
(4 pages) |
“The Lives of the Dead”
(20 pages) |
“Enemies” & “Friends”
(5 pages) |
“Style”
(2 pages) |
78 pages
(p. 155-233) |
“How to Tell a True War Story”
(18 pages) |
“Speaking of Courage”
(17 pages) |
|
81 pages
(p. 1-81) |
“Notes”
(5 pages) |
|
72 pages
(p. 81-154) |
Characters to Pay Attention To
Tim O’Brien
|
Jimmy Cross | Mitchell Sanders | Kiowa | Norman Bowker | Henry Dobbins |
Bob “Rat” Kiley
|
Curt Lemon | Ted Lavendar | Lee Strunk | Dave Jensen | Azar |
Bobby Jorgenson
|
Elroy Berdahl | Kathleen | Mary Anne Bell | Mark Fossie | Linda |
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