The Things They Carried Lesson Plan

What slowly immersed Mary Anne in the life of a soldier? Did she become one of them? Did she transcend the life of a soldier? If so, why and how?

Students should cite examples of Mary Anne's transition, especially showing the contrasts before and after the immersion. They may argue that in behaving like a soldier both on and off the battlefield, she simply had to adapt to life in the field as the soldiers did. They may argue that Mary Anne did not become anything more or less than a soldier, and one that became part of the land as they did when they lost themselves psychologically or even died. They may argue that she did in fact transcend all the challenges in Vietnam, and...