"Ambush"

The Analysis   

  In this chapter Tim begins to explain the events and rapid thoughts prior to killing an enemy solider. When applying some of the key elements of, How to Read Literature Like a Professor an analysis of "Ambush" begins to form. The chapter "It's Going to Hurt Me More Than It's Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence" is correct in relation to Tim's feelings after killing the man. Immediately after hearing footsteps in the jungle he feels uncomfortable and jumps to what he's been taught to do, kill. Though, he did not really want to kill the enemy solider. This act of violence was symbolic, the enemy solider represented his fear. Before throwing a grenade Tim states that there were, "no thoughts about killing. The grenade was to make him go away- just evaporate... It never occurred to me then that he was about to die." (O' Brian 133)  After the young solider's death he begins to feel remorse as he gazes upon the body and imagines a whole life that was possibly his. Kiowa insists the man's death was inevitable.

     Another chapter from How to Read Literature Like a Professor that could relate to most of chapters within Tim's book is "Geography Matters". Considering Tim's actions before going to war, the reader can infer he was afraid of being in Vietnam. While he is on guard in the dense terrain the fog, jungle, and mosquitoes hover around him. They are all aspects of Vietnam, which Tim explains are constantly pestering him. The character is trapped in a foreign wilderness that causes confusion and anxiety. It's not what he knows to be home, he lacks security.

     In Stephan King's novel "On Writing" he explains that the good stories come from life experiences. Tim O'Brien did fight as a solider in Vietnam and (as uncomfortable as it may seem) could have come into a situation similar to "Ambush". Although some truths may be exaggerated, his descriptions of the moment leading up to the death were authentic and true feelings. O’Brian also utilized simple sentences that did not require excessive adjectives to convey the desired meaning.

Questions

1.      Norman Bowker urged O’Brian to write Ambush. True/False

2.      Why did O’Brian hope his daughter would ask if he had killed a man again?
A. So he could reassure her he hadn’t.
B. So he could explain the story once she’s of age.
C. So he could reiterate the gruesome event.
D. So he could inspire her to join the military.

3.      Why did O’Brian continue writing war stories?
A. Because he enjoyed telling his stories.
B. Because he wanted people to think of him as a hero.
C. Because they dead lived on through stories.
D. Because the stories made him wealthy.

4.      How old was the man O’Brian killed?
A. 20
B. 17
C. 19
D. 23

5.      What was the significance of O’Brian’s fearful setting before the man appeared?
A. He was unable to see what he was doing.
B. He took out too many grenades.
C. It represented his lack of security.
D. It represented confidence in his abilities.

6.      O’Brian requested mosquito repellent from Kiowa before the man appeared. True/False

7.      When seeing the Vietnamese soldier on the trail he appeared
A. Menacing
B. Paranoid
C. At ease
D. Determined

8.      O’Brian acted without thought during his encounter with the Vietcong. True/False

9.      What was the significance of O’Brian’s thoughtful attitude toward the man he killed?
A. It showed he genuinely felt guilty for what he had done.
B. It introduced another character.
C. It conveyed disrespectful feelings for the dead soldier.
D. It gave an example of the usual life for a young Vietnamese man.

10.  The grenade created an uproar that alerted nearby enemy soldiers. True/False

11.  Kiowa explains that the young man’s death was inevitable. True/False

12.  When did O’Brian forgive himself?
A. Never did, and never will.
B. Sometimes he did, other times he did not.
C. Immediately afterwards.
D. After telling his daughter the story.

First Write For Yourself

     From an early age Stephan King realized his passion for writing. In order to obtain the recognition he desired, short stories began generating from his adolescent mind. King utulized the advice carelessly written on his rejected pieces. Though, he recalls the significant words of his first employer, "when you write a story, you're telling yourself the story." (King 46) Tabitha, his wife, was also an important part of his life. He admits that she is his "ideal reader". Therefore, King believes his wife is truly apart of him. She is the person who is allowed to hear the intimate parts of his novels.
     Rather than thinking of my daughter's reaction to my writing, I think of my mother. No matter what I seem to write if my mom can get her hands on it, she will. She has always wrote the most beautiful poetry so her opinion on my crumby writing means the most. Now wait, it's not that inspirational. This is simply a matter of trying to become more right than wrong. When she does read my essays or short stories she makes sure to have a red pen in hand. My dream in life is to write one paper, one short story, one journal entry she cannot correct.

Honoring Family

     When reflecting upon her travels, Alice Walker not only discovered information on Zora Neal Hurston, but herself. Walker was on a journey to document what others failed to. In her opinion, Hurston was one of the most influential writers and could not be gone without her final story told. Within just a short time of her travels to Eatonville, Hurston's hometown, she realizes a majority of people do not know much about her. Incredibly, her fellow people did not even feel the need to implement her books into their curriculum.
     Walker continues her journey on the lie that she is Hurston's niece. She eventually feels as though she, as well as many others, are related to the great author. While visiting the barren cemetery she begins to realize how much has been missed. Then becomes angry that the tombstone Hurston deserves is too expensive; just like the recognition she deserves has not been given. After visiting many people and relentlessly working to honor her name, Walker is exposed to many thoughts on Hurston. The short essay ends with a discussion between Walker and a doctor who seemed to know her "aunt" on a intimate level compared to others. Immediately she was able see he was different from the others, and could even imagine him as a father figure. Finally she had received the comforting details she had been searching for. Walker had also even made a development in her own character during her venture for Hurston.

Without Myself (Janie)

Using blues music as inspiration, craft a poetic reflection of "Janie's Blues"

Briskly I have been entangled into life. By the bee I fly to love unreturned and dreams consumed by the moon. With hopes I allowed him to hold my soul within his grim hands. I was now his concealed prize, never to breathe the air of the others who spoke in it. My hair pulled up high, while my head hangs below. Conversations held within my head clamp my mouth shut. The animal, better than I, roams with the freedom I desire. I am apart of his fist that slams down and demands creation of a world only for he. I no longer hold my voice, I no longer hold myself. So here I grudingly dance, the puppet in his hands.

New Life

"There are years that ask questions and years that answer."  Write a speculative response on what the upocoming year will hold for Janie.  Will this eyar be the year that asks questions or one that answers them?  Will this be the year that does both?  Respond to at least three peers.

This year will bring both questions and answers. Now that Janie has her ideal dream of love she will have some questions answered. Though, Janie will realize what love is really about, but with answers come more questions. Since she will be involved with Joe Starks, rather Logan Killicks, the situation will end how it began, unexpectadly. I believe Janie will discover love isn't all she's imagined it to be. Running away with a man was against her Nanny's wishes, and the mother always knows better than the child. She has began the inevitable fall within every young woman's life.

In Vogue

   Within the society I have grown up in I've come to the conclusion a majority of people are unable to construct their own beliefs. I am able to make connections through every day subjects and subjects of importance. While studying during my freshman year of high-school I realized multiple people conforming to a group they were fond of. These people willingly let go of who they were to become a mere copy. The group adorned the same style; whether it be through hair, clothing, and even makeup for girls. It was more commonly referred to as a clique  but I saw more complications rather than acceptance from such actions. This was just the beginning, as I stepped into a world shaped by much more important views.
      Through the period of election for 2012 people were fixed upon internet propaganda, and whatever their peers seemed to say of the presidential candidates. The technological advances at the hand of Americans ironically seemed further build the complexity of the situation. I had hoped that rather than people immediately feeding more nonsense into other minds far more susceptible than their own, they would research and develop their own ideas. Unfortunately, a majority of people depends on others for beliefs.

Myrtle's Fakebook

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