Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Blog #8 - The Things They Carried
What does "The Ghost Soldiers" add to this book so close to the end? Does it provide any new insights, perspectives, or experiences about any of the characters? What do you think is the purpose of a chapter like this one and does it change your opinion of O'Brien? Why or why not? (1 paragraph - at least 1 quote from the book.)
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The "Ghost Soldier" is described as the enemy, most likely, the Vietnamese. The title seems oddly out of place in this chapter because the enemy combatants aren't even mentioned. The Ghost Soldier is instead referring to Jorgenson, who botched bandaging up O'Brien when he was shot. ("I was losing myself, everything spilling out" (p202).) This chapter serves to let the reader into O'Briens head, how he could possibly label his own fellow soldier the enemy while the true enemy is right around the corner from their position. O'Brien is thinking in contorted war terms and his sense of judgment has taken a significant hit in this chapter.
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