Jarhead Online Discussion (Spring 2012)
I'd like you to engage in some online discussion of Jarhead, since we are listening to presentations in class this week.
PLEASE COMPLETE THIS BY TUESDAY, MARCH 27th's BLOCK CLASS.
You have two requirements:
Your first task is to write AT LEAST ONE comment under AT LEAST ONE of these questions, answering as many parts of the question as you can. Be honest, eloquent, thoughtful, and engaging. This is not a text message, so think through what you want to say.
Your second task is to RESPOND to AT LEAST ONE comment from one of your classmates or myself. In the comment, indicate whom you're responding to (Ex: "In response to Geoff's comment, I think...").
By Tuesday morning (March 27 (which is a Thursday BLOCK schedule), everyone will have written at least two comments.
I encourage you to read all of the comments for all of the questions. Your response to a classmate does not have to be for the same question you answered. You may read the comments under a question you did not answer, and then decide to respond to someone else's thoughts on that page. This should be a free-flowing exchange of ideas. Feel free to post as many comments as you like--for all three questions, if you wish.
Question 1
Re-read the section where Swofford almost kills "Ellie Bows" Dettmann (p. 103-106). Many questions arise... Why does he threaten him? Do you think he is capable of it? Or do you think he is just messing with Dettman? What is his justification for the threat? What is his reasoning for backing off? Does this convince you that Swofford is, for lack of a better word, nuts? Or is it just nervousness and anxiety on the eve of battle? Does this change your opinion of Swofford, positively or negatively? Essentially, WTF???
Question 2
Re-read the section where Swofford and Johnny encounter some Bedouins in the desert (136-140). How does this conflict with the Marine ethos and their training? How does Swofford's response differ from his buddies? How could this situation turned out differently? Why does he say that "Dettmann and Crockety are afraid of [the Bedouins] humanity"? (139)
Question 3
Re-read the section about the pyridostigmine bromide (PB) pills (182-186). According to Swofford, how are the pills a "public relations battle"? Does it make sense for the soldiers to take the pills? Does it make sense for Kuehn spit his out? Does the military actually care about these guys, or is Swofford's cynicism justified? Does this remind you of any other "public relations" things our armed forces have done in the last 11 years of the GWOT (Global War On Terror)? How much of the concept of "war" in America is marketing, wherein the public needs to be convinced and "sold" on the war? Can you think of any other examples of a war being "sold" to the public?