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. ... After returning them, it seems that O"Brien has found some peace with the memory; the closure of the physical act and the telling of the entire story helps O"Brien cope with the tragic event of his past. " In a way, maybe, I"d gone under with Kiowa, and now after two decades I"d finally worked my way out" (187). ... War is nasty; war is fun" (80). ... O"Brien demonstrates the similarities and differences of Jimmy Cross and himself...

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

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

Gump, through no effort on his own, continually finds himself in the middle of some of the most important moments in American history. ... Forrest heeds the advice of the two most important women in his life, his mother and his beloved Jenny. ... 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

At the start of the book, World War II is going on, and the boys" plane is shot down over the ocean. This large-scale war off of the island foreshadows what will eventually become of the children on the island in the near future. ... The events immediately following this point are probably the most important in the novel. ...

• Word Count: 1683
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School