TTTC discussion questions #2

Post responses to the following questions. This discussion should be beneficial to your final assessment options.

The story Rat tells in "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong" is highly fantastical. Does its lack of believeability make it any less compelling? Do you believe it? Does it fit O'Brien's criteria for a true war story?

In "Good Form", O'Brien casts doubt on the veracity of the entire novel. Why does he do so? Does it make you more or less interested in the novel? Does it increase or decrease your understanding? What is the difference between "story truth" and "happening truth"?

On the copyright page of the novel appears the following: "This is a work of fiction. Except for a few details regarding the author's own life, all the incidents, names, and characters are imaginary." Why do you feel O'Brien chose to write this book as fiction? Why does he call the book fiction when so many of the stories seem autiobiographical? What is the relationship between facts and truth?

TTTC discussion #1

Post responses to the following questions. This discussion should be beneficial to your final assessment options.

According to O'Brien, how do you tell a true war story? What does he mean when he says that true war stories are never about war? What does he mean when he writes of one story, "That's a true story that never happened?

How do the stories in the book help you in understanding the frustration and/or disillusionment of so many U.S. troops who fought in Vietnam? Similarities/parallels to war in Iraq?

Coffee House Poems

We had some great selections read at our coffee house. Please post the poem you performed to share with others.