The Things They Carried â€� Reader Q&A

Questions About The Things They Carried

by Tim O'Brien

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Answered Questions (17)

I am a high school resource teacher. Would this be an appropriate book for 9th/10th graders?

Thomas Trevenen The Things They Carried is appropriate for tenth grade students. You may have trouble with parents because many parents perceive their children as a yâ€¦m´Ç°ù±ðThe Things They Carried is appropriate for tenth grade students. You may have trouble with parents because many parents perceive their children as a year or two behind where the student actually is. Students in tenth grade are mere months away from being Marines if they choose and it is better for them to read about the world before they are thrust into it.
Thematically the novel is multi-layered and will interest all levels of readers. While it is an interesting exploration of the inner conflicts of going to war, it is also a complex exposition on the nature of fiction and how a story that never happened can present greater truth than a newspaper.
I found the novel transformational.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Ricky McConnell Yes , it was disturbing, but I think the author was trying to convey the difficulty the men were having with losing their friends in combat. Parts of â€¦m´Ç°ù±ðYes , it was disturbing, but I think the author was trying to convey the difficulty the men were having with losing their friends in combat. Parts of this book are fiction, and I am not sure this actually happened. (less)

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I tend to avoid books about war. How blood thirsty is it?

Stephanie It's not at all. Some stories are from prior to war, some are after O'Brien (the character) returns home, and others are during the war. But none reveâ€¦m´Ç°ù±ðIt's not at all. Some stories are from prior to war, some are after O'Brien (the character) returns home, and others are during the war. But none revel in killing or bloodshed. And when there is, there is significant pain in the hearts of the soldiers surrounding the killing (like "The Man I Killed" or the story of Curt Lemon or the water buffalo).
My takeaway from it is that war is heartwrenching and impacts the soldiers each in different ways.
I also like that you have to constantly remind yourself that it's fiction and separate Tim O'Brien the author from Tim O'Brien the character. It really drives home his message that story truth is sometimes truer than happening truth. (less)

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hmmm is tim o brien in newyawk?

Johnny Is this a serious question?

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What is the reading level or best grade level for this book?

Keeper 4Life I think generally the book is read by Sophmores in highschool, But when I read it, I had a hard time understanding everything. I'd say most freshmen wâ€¦m´Ç°ù±ðI think generally the book is read by Sophmores in highschool, But when I read it, I had a hard time understanding everything. I'd say most freshmen would most likely not enjoy or understand this book, so probably Sophmore year and up.(less)

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