Prompt: Throughout The Things They Carried, O’Brien’s views on courage evolve. Trace this evolution by specifically examining O’Brien’s views as expressed in the following chapters: “On the Rainy River,” “Speaking of Courage,” and “The Lives of the Dead.” Be sure to address the demands, costs, and rewards of exercising courage. Also consider: what encourages courage and what represses courage? This essay must include quotations from the novel. To be eligible for an “A,” you must include some analyzed examples of courage from an additional chapter as well.
