One major effect on Lyman is the event of his brother Henry joining the army and going to Vietnam. Lyman's relationship with his brother was important to him, but was changed after he returned, and finally when Henry drowned in the Red River. ... Ambrose went to a military school, and then later served as an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War. An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge takes place at the time when our nation was divided, during the Civil War. ... Ambrose uses this knowledge to show the discipline, and practices of being a soldier during the Civil War. ...

• Word Count: 1504
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Forrest heeds the advice of the two most important women in his life, his mother and his beloved Jenny. ... Their contrasting lifestyles is apparent when Forrest heads off to Vietnam, at the same time Jenny associates herself with the anti-war movement. ... Their friendship began after the war and would later become shrimp-boat partners. ... The use of historical events helps the audience get a sense of Forrest's growth into adulthood. Regardless how unbelievable the events are in the film, the characters and the chemistry between them are quite convincing. ...

• Word Count: 1504
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

The Things They Carried War is hell. ... This is extremely important because these items cause Kiowa's death according to one of the stories told. ... O"Brien shows that he has no lingering bitterness towards the people of Vietnam stating, "All that's finished" (188) in response to a farmer near the field where he returned to leave Kiowa's shoes at the place where he died. ... War is nasty; war is fun" (80). ... O"Brien demonstrates the similarities and differences of Jimmy Cross and himself through on of the most important parts of war, the stories soldiers tell....

• Word Count: 1691
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School