Why Soldiers Won’t Talk by John Steinbeck Review #1 – Flashcards
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Why don't soldiers talk about their combat experiences? a) their experiences were too long ago and no longer relevant b) they don't want to upset their listeners c) they don't remember their combat experiences d) they don't think anyone cares
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c) they don't remember their combat experiences
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Which of the following tones describe "Why Soldiers Won't Talk"? a) dark, cynical b) light, irreverent c) humorous, nostalgic d) mysterious, aggressive
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a) dark, cynical
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Why does Steinbeck compare combat to childbirth? a) most people do not experience either b) neither is taken very seriously enough by most people c) both involve a great deal of pain and blood d) despite the pain of both, people choose to forget or dismiss it and put themselves through it again
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d) despite the pain of both, people choose to forget or dismiss it and put themselves through it again
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In his essay, Steinbeck states that the soldiers' natural reaction to extreme stress is to a) sharpen the senses b) dull the senses c) prepare of death d) induce an emotional breakdown
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b) dull the senses
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What is the primary literary device Steinbeck uses to emphasize why soldiers react as they do? a) alliteration b) imagery c) irony d) foreshadowing
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b) imagery
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Which of the following literary devices does Steinbeck use effectively to help readers understand the physical effects of combat? a) second person point of view b) extensive similes c) cataloguing d) irony
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a) second person point of view
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According to the poem, what is "flak"? a) a word soldiers use for symptoms experienced during war b) the coat the gunner wore when he was shot c) the fire of anti aircraft guns d) the criticism of superior offices
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c) the fire of anti aircraft guns
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John Steinbeck created an image of war that mainly evoke feelings of a) fear and chaos b) courage and victory c) happiness and joy d) confusion and anger
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a) fear and chaos
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Why is Steinbeck puzzled by soldier's reluctance to discuss their battle experiences? (paragraph 1)
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they are heroes and not sharing their stories
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According to Steinbeck, how does the body react to the extremes of emotion experienced in battle? (paragraph 3)
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their body doesn't let them remember
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During battle, what physical stresses are placed on the body? (paragraphs 4-5)
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Under extended bombardment or bombing the nerve ends are literally beaten. The ear drums are tortured by blast and the eyes ache from the constant hammering.
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How do soldiers protect themselves from the emotional and physical stresses of battle? (paragraph 6)
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They did not and do not remember--and the worse the battle was, the less they remember.
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According to Steinbeck, what causes "a kind man" to be "capable of great cruelties" and "a timid man" to be capable of "great bravery"? (paragraph 7)
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their resistance to stresses beyond their ordinary ability
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According to Steinbeck, what causes "a kind man" to be "capable of great cruelties" and "a timid man" to be capable of "great bravery"?
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humans are normally held responsible for what they do.
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What kinds of hallucinations does Steinbeck say soldiers experience after a battle? (paragraph 8) {hallucinations-false sensory perceptions, such as hearing voices that do not really exist}
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Auditory and visual hallucinations are most common
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To what other human experience does Steinbeck compare a man's loss of memory about battle? (paragraph 10)
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A woman is said to feel the same way when she tries to remember whta child birth was like. Your body and mind provides a shield and removes the memory, so that a woman can have another child and a man can go into combat again.
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Why are soldiers reticent to speak about their experiences in battle? (summary)
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They have seen and done horrible things and they want to forget about it.
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What does reticent mean?
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not speaking freely; reserved; reluctant; quiet; private; silent
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According to Steinbeck, "Why Soldiers Won't Talk", the worse a battle is _____________.
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the less likely a soldier is to remember it
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Steinbeck argues that, under extreme stress, the body's natural reaction is to ____________.
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dull its senses
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What are the main themes in "Why Soldiers Won't Talk"?
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Effects of war on the mind, body, and soul
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Loss is a common theme of war. (T or F)
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True
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How is though process a big theme in this story?
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The soldiers don't know how to react to war; it can change their mental state.
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War can change you? (T or F)
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True
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War always affects soldiers. (T or F)
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False
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War effects everyone's everday lives. (T or F)
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False
