What challenges does Jack Smith face as a soldier in Vietnam? (a bulleted list is fine)
- An overall lack of combat experience in his unit
- Had to avoid mines and other North Korean booby traps
- Forced to witness the deaths of his closest friends
- He had to survive the ambush on his camp
- Forced to face the "ruthless" North Koreans - had to play dead
How does Smith’s attitude toward war change?
He became "misanthropic", meaning he began to hate mankind. He didn't understand why we fought the war, if we lost, and the result was pretty much the same. He felt like everything his unit did, and all of his friends deaths, were in vain.
I Feel Like I’m Fixing To Die Rag by Joe McDonald
What is the song asking the “big strong men to do”?
To help Uncle Sam - enlist in the Army.
… the “generals” to do?
Move fast and kill all of the Communists - to win peace.
… “Wall Street” to do?
"Don't move slow." - Keep making money and supplying the Army.
… “mothers” to do?
"pack their boys off to Vietnam." - enlist their sons
Write down four specific lines from the song that display sarcasm, cynicism, or anti-war sentiment.
What are we fighting for? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn.
Whoopee! We're all gonna die.
Be the first one on your block, to have your boy come home in a box.
So put down your books and pick up a gun, we're gonna have a whole lotta fun.
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