Cultural/Historical Analysis

The short story I chose is "The Things They Carried."



The historical setting of the short story is the Vietnam War. The themes all have to do with the things men had to deal with as individuals and as a collective unit. I am very familiar with the Vietnam War.

Some clues the story gives as to its themes and historical settings are the packs and materials the men are carrying with them. Also the missions they go on and the terrain they operate on.

Other information I would like to get are such things as life expentancy for men in Vietnam.

Themes and Setting

The main theme of "Battle Royal," is discrimination of race, and how to figuratively and literally fight through it.

The setting of the time period, 1952, and the place, a boxing ring is very important. The time period is what makes the whole story, becuase it is the time when black people did not have much rights and even less respect, from the white people. The boxing ring is important because it shows how the black person was against the world so to speak. He was in the ring by himself, agianst many many white people.


I think the main theme of "Becky," is having fear in the unknown.

The setting for this story is important. The loacation of her house between the railroad track and the road is important because people passed by on both sides and could see her house and drop food and other things off. Also the time period it was written, 1923, is important because back then interracial fornication was unheard of, and children produced from that sin were not accepted as you could see in the story.

Reading Response

I thought the short story "How to Date a Browngirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie," was very entertaining. The thing I like most about it was the fact that it was just real. The author didnt worry about being politically correct and stepping on somebodies toes, he just told it how it was. The kid obviously lives in an inpoverished area, hence "clear the government cheese from the refrigerator," but he's not ashamed really of being from that background, it just makes him have to act different when it comes to being with different races of girls.
I thought it was interesting and true when he talked about the different races of girls and how far they will go on the first date. It tends to be true that if the girl is the same as you and is from the same area, she will react way different then a girl from 'the other side of the tracks.' I really enjoyed this story, and may have even learned a few things





I liked the poem "America" because it represents the thoughts of many Americans today. Many Americans today don't agree whats going on in office and how this country is being run, however that doesnt mean that they should abandon this great nation. Claude says it well, "stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth." America has become a mixture of many cultures and ways of life. This nation is also struggling with leadership, but it is still our country, and honestly one of if not the best country in the world when it comes to resources, economy, military, etc. So regardless of what is happening to the country and how it may be being run, stick with it and be proud of it, becuause its where you live and what you represent.

Response to Reading

The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner was a very short poem but a very meaningful one. I know from learning about different wars that a Turret Gunners job can be very important but very deadly job. The Turret Gunner was not as important as the airplane as a whole, but it acts as an important distraction and in some cases can have a rare takedown. It protects the plane from other planes trying to shoot it down. The peom discribes the turret gunner position as a non glamour's, unfun, dark, cold, place to be. Ecspecially being in a small place like that during a war, is what makes a turret gunner a cold lonely place.

free write

After watching the videos of ball turrets, the poem had the same meaning to me. I already knew somewhat what the turrets were like and how cold and unpleasent they were. I still read the poem and think of how crappy of a job it is, but how brave the men who did it were.


I think the biggest reason Randall Jarrell had the motivation to write a poem like this, is because he really wanted to be a pilot but failed to qualify. So the next best thing he could do if he couldnt fly was to write and study flying. He did work as a control tower operator which gave him constant exposure to planes and flying.


Knowing the authors backround information would be very helpfull to have if I were to write a close reading paper about the poem. Thats because if you know the authors backround then you know his major reasons for writing the poem.

Free Write b

The strongest associations with the term "World War II" are; Nazis, Hitler, Facism, Allies, Russia, France, D-Day, Japan, Pearl Harbor

Free Write

• WAR: Death by guns, nuclear, muddy, raining, screaming

• GUNNER: Tourett, certain death, loud

• ATTACK: Ambush, other side unaware, beating, killing

Comments on Readings

Each of these poems have the same underlying theme of the armed forces. The first one "The Soldier," had the most upbeat and postive of the 3. I liked it because I am in the military and am possibly am going to be overseas one day. It shows what soldiers have to sacrifice for their country, and I really appreciate this poem.

The poem "Glory of Women," really hit hard for me. It seemed so real to me because everyword of it is true with my mom and me. With me being in the navy she acts the exact same way the lady illustrated in the poem does. My mom loves when im home and when I tell her about what I do. And she praises me for what I do. The end got me somewhat emotional because the lady and mother loves her son so much and whats well for him, and because she cares she is making socks for him. However over seas, he gets killed defending this country. My mom frequently sends me things just to show me how much she cares and loves me, and after reading this poem, it made me think about how heartbroken she would be if I died and she didnt even know about it, I would never want to put my mother through anything like that.

Essay #2 concerns

The biggest concern I have with my essay is its length. I can't seem to find enough to say about my hat. Im also not to sure if I even wrote the right type of things about it. Im not sure if I described the hat enough, or if I put to much of the word I or me in the paper. I kinda feel lost.

Poster Reflection

I chose the topic of pollution, because its a big issue this world faces that gets bigger everyday. It effects nature, our ozone, and our way of life. My poster wasnt in color becuase when you look at the dreary effects of pollution, everything seems to turn gray. If I were a better drawer I wouuld have drawn more detail such as plants and flowers dying and people getting sick. I did decide to draw a picture of a hole being made in the ozone and uv rays getting in. Pollution is a problem we need to find a solution for.

Essay 2 topic proposal

-My object/text that I chose is my Phillidelphia Phillies hat

-The surface message is a symbol of a professional baseball team

-Upon closer examination it sends the message of a certain style, it also sens the message of a color scheme. It also shows what team I like and what teams I dont like.

-The features that are crucial to identify this are the colors, the symbol on the front, the size and who makes it.

-The design is important because it is specific to a certain team, same with the colors. The letter on the front is very important too.

-The intended audience is any baseball fan or person who likes wo wear a certain kind of hat as part of their outfit.

Thesis: This paper will argue that a flat bill Phillidelphia Phillies hat represents a culture, a style, and interests of certain people.