Harper, 1985

Summary: Samantha tries to understand the conflict in Vietnam that forever affected the life of her Uncle Emmett and took the life of the father she never knew. As part of Samantha's efforts to understand, her extended family takes a trip to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial in Washington DC.

Themes:

Vietnam War
Vietnam Veterans War Memorial
Family Relationships

Activities
1. The Vietnam War was the most controversial military conflict in our nation's history. Many people believed that the United States had no purpose in Vietnam. This is an issue that is still discussed today. Research the history of the events leading up to American involvement in Vietnam. Find information about public opinions and attitudes about the war. Newspaper and magazine interviews on microfilm can be very valuable tools in understanding various perspectives. After creating a written research tool that supplies facts and information about the various opinions, divide into two groups and debate whether or not the U.S. had a moral obligation to enter the war. One side should be an anti-war group while the other should be pro-war. (Consider addressing the question of when it would be appropriate for America to bring its power to bear?) Develop a criteria for judging a formal debate. Videotape the actual debate, preferably in front of a live audience. Then evaluate the effectiveness of the arguments presented for each side.

2a. There are references to popular culture in the mid-eighties made throughout the piece. Songs, movies, and television programs are mentioned on almost every page. Create a class list of the various references. Discuss which ones are presently known to class members. Listen to samples of the music mentioned and watch clips from several of the television programs. Evaluate the references and discuss whether or not they make a positive contribution to the story or if they cause the book to become dated.

2b. Extend the above activity by compiling a glossary of words that were coined or became popular during this era. (For example: frag; cong; in country; hootch; DMZ; Charlie; body count, The World.) Include a section on phrases also. ("Hell no -- we won't go!" "Hey, Hey, LBJ / How many kids did you kill today?" "Peace with Honor.") Publish your lists an place in the library.

2c. Organize a display of memorabilia from the sixties and seventies. (Include ideas such as peace signs, flags, Hair [the musical] love beads, Woodstock.) On a large sheet of black paper invite other students to explain why some of these artifacts have been rediscovered.

3a. Sam believes that her Uncle Emmett reacted with Agent Orange (Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin) from his exposure during his tour in Vietnam. The use and abuse of Agent Orange is still in the news today. Research the purpose and development of Agent Orange through out the past two decades. There are several government documents that have been released explaining the concerns. Prepare an informative hypercard program targeting either Viet vets and their families or for someone who has no knowledge of the problem. Make sure to include the most recent research concerning the side effect of exposure and possible compensation from the government.

3b. Discuss other legacies of the Vietnam war.

* Economic depression of the 80's
* Returning soldiers from Desert Storm vs. welcome of Viet vets.
* Bill Clinton's credibility and popularity
* Where are they now bulletin board? (Chicago Seven, Abbie Hoffman, etc.)
* Amer-asians
* Southeast Asian refugees.'
* My Lai (& Ollie North)

Invite students to research a topic and write an essay on it. Predetermine the standards of clarity; style and supporting material Submit the ones that the class choose to the school's literary magazine.

4. Use local and state resources to learn more about the effects of the Vietnam conflict in your area. Invite a veteran to talk to the classroom. The Maine Division of Defense and Services Department (207- 289-4425) in Augusta should be of some assistance. Interview Vietnam veterans. Determine the types of problems veterans faced when they returned to the U.S. (post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.)

5a. There are a number of movies that have been made which depict what life was like in Vietnam and what it is like now to a be a veteran of this particular war. Divide into groups and critique one of them. How do the veterans in these stories compare with the veterans mentioned in In Country? Make a comparison chart of the characteristics you encounter.

b. Compare/ contrast films about Vietnam released during the war (e.g. Green Berets) with films produced later. Trace the change in public opinion.

c. Define "propaganda." What are the characteristics of a piece of propaganda? Classify the films. Which films can be considered propaganda. Justify your answers.

d. The long-running television program M*A*S*H is mentioned several times in the book. Watch several episodes and go back to find a few examples of its connection with the story. Interview someone who was in Vietnam or has strong memories of the Vietnam era and someone you know wasn't alive during this time. Write a comparison in your writing journal.

6. A review from the San Francisco chronicle states, "Mason's message is simple: The war dead are us - we are them - and whatever political stance we took with regard to Vietnam, we are all Americans united by one past, one flag, one history." Create a written response to this review keeping in mind some of the attitudes and problems that the Veterans face in today's society.

7a. The Vietnam Veterans war memorial is one of the most controversial additions to Washington DC in the past decade. It is a very moving experience to visit the memorial. If you have had the opportunity to visit the memorial, write about the experience and your reason for visiting. If you have not visited, interview someone who has and describe their experience.
b. Research the design and the construction of the Wall. If you believe the Wall is a fitting tribute, write a rationale for the design. If you believe the design is not appropriate, express your reasons and draw up some plans of how you would have designed a memorial give en the choice. Write a rationale for your design. (What is the artist working on now? See Newsweek 8/8/94.)

8. "He is sitting there cross-legged in front of the wall, and slowly his face burst into a smile like flames." Emmett smiling in front of the wall is the last image in the story. Why was he smiling? Why do you think Mason chose to leave the reader with that particular image? Discuss these questions in small groups and make a collective list of the various opinions.

9a. Read the book of poetry To Those Who Have Gone Home Tired. by W.D. Ehrhart. How does the poetry in this book give you a better understanding of what it was like to be a soldier in Vietnam? Would you give this book to Samantha to help her in her quest to better understanding? Why or why not?
b. Select a poem from To Those Who Have Gone Home Tired that you believe would be Emmett's favorite? What characteristics or parts of the poem would appeal to him.

RESOURCES
Non-fiction

Ashabranner, Brent K. Always to Remember: The Story of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. Dodd, Mead, 1988.

Donnelly, Judy. The Wall of Names: The Story of the Vietnam Memorial, 1991.

Dudley, William. The Vietnam War: Opposing Viewpoints . Greenhaven, 1990.

Ehrhart, W.D. To Those Who Have Gone Home Tired. Thunder Mouth Press, 1984.

Fitzgerald, Frances. Fire in the Lake: The Vietnamese and the Americans i Vietnam. Little, Brown, 1972.

Hablerstam, David. The Best and the Brightest . Random House, 1972.

Hoobler, Dorothy & Thomas. Vietnam: Why We Fought. Knopf, 1990.

Lawson, Donald Elmer. The United States in the Vietnam War. Crowell, 1981.

Lifton,, Robert J. Home From the War. Basic Books, 1985.

Santoli, Al. Everything We Had: An Orel History of the Vietnam War by Thirty-three American Soldiers Who Fought It. Ballantine, 1982.

Van Devanter, Lynda. Visions of War, Dreams of Peace: Writings of Women in the Vietnam war.. Warner Books, 1991.

Warren, James A. Portrait of a Tragedy: America and the Vietnam War. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1990. (Includes bibliography.)

Fiction

Bunting, Eve. The Wall. Clarion Books, 1990. [picture book]

Emerson, Zack. #1 Echo Company Welcome to Vietnam. Scholastic. 1991.

Hahn, Mary Downing Hahn. December Stillness. Clarion, 1988.

Myers, Walter Dean. Fallen Angels. Methuen, 1979.

O'Brien, Tim. If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home. Dell, 1979.

Paterson, Katherine. Park's Quest. Dutton, 1988.

Prepared by Katie Galli, UM student (With Marilyn Joyce and Abigail Garthwait.)

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