One Page Essays for 4/08/2010

One Page Essay Ideas...

1.) "At the bottom of his heart he believes he exists on this earth to perform some unnamed heavenly duty. A task that is sacred and noble, but secret...From the time of that realization he felt that day by day his soul was gradually maturing, preparing for its task of fulfilling the sacred, heavenly duty of which the novel would become the earthly manifestation." (Ninh, 50-51).

What do you think is the duty Kien is talking about, and why is it so heavenly? What do you think this passage tells the reader about Kien? Explain the significance of this passage in the novel.

2.) "I want you to guard against all those who demand that you die just to prove something. It is not that I advise you to respect your life more than anything else, but not to die uselessly for the needs of others...you still have many years ahead of you. Many years of joy and happiness to experience. Who else but you can experience your life?" (Ninh 58-59)

What do you think is the significance of Kien's stepfather's words? What can you make out, and do you think it is good advice? Do you think Kien followed his advice? Show evidence to support your answer as to why or why not.

3.) "But when he arrived neighbors told him his stepfather had died many years earlier. Even the house had gone. It had been destroyed long ago. No one remembered the circumstances of his death, or even how the house had been destroyed." (Ninh 60)

"No one spoke of Can again. No one bothered to find out why he died, whether he was killed or had just exhausted himself in the jungle, or whether he'd committed suicide. No one accused him, either. The name, age, and image of someone who'd been every bit as brave under fire as his comrades, who had set a fine example, suddenly disappeared without trace. Except within the mind of Kien."

Throughout the novel, Kien had to experience the deaths of many of his friends as they died under fire, and now he has to deal with his stepfather's death. The amount of the dead piling up in the novel is very daunting, and yet, no one seems to care about them, despite the fact that the Vietnamese are very conscious about respecting their ancestors, the dead, burning incense for their alters, etc. Why do you think nobody shows any respect, or cares, for the dead anymore? Why do you think that they do not honor the dead as they used to? What do you think life or death means to Kien at this point in the novel? Explain your view, and the significance of what you are saying.

RA