book: the things they carried (the things they carried)
the three stories that will be examined: speaking of courage, on the rainy river, in the field
theme: shame and guilt
essay question: how does O’Brien’s use of character and exploration of themes help us understand not only men in war but a broader understanding of human nature? use characters woven throughout the three stores to comment on their FUNCTION- how they bring meaning and understanding to the reader. This will require identifying theme (shame/guilt) and explain how the themes come to light via the characters. consider the characters’ function in the story, thematic threads (motifs, patterns of imagery, details, symbols, figurative language and rhetorical devices) in the stories
use quotes integrate them