... and retell it so his readers may look beyond the actuality of the story and to the deeper meaning of it. Mary Anne first emerges in The Things They Carried within a story called "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Brong-. She is introduced to the men of the platoon as an idealized American sweetheart. She has the stereotypical appearance of an American ... girl worth the admiration and respect of all men: "She had long white legs and blue eyes and a complexion like strawberry ice cream."" (O'Brien 93) The comparison between Mary Anne's skin tone and strawberry ice cream is very interesting. It ...

• Word Count: 1540
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... same time. The isolation that the jungle creates for the characters plays a crucial role in their behavior, as it seems to intensify their experience. The jungle, like darkness, contains a mystery within its lush green leaves. The atmosphere of unknown in a foreign place (Vietnam or the African Congo) creates for an unprecedented amount of fear, even in such trained men as Marlow ... outstanding, brilliant officer. While Mary Anne of "Sweetheart of Song Tra Bong" was the all-American beauty, "She had long white legs and blue eyes and a complexion like strawberry ice cream. Very friendly...

• Word Count: 872
• Approx Pages: 3