Gustav Hasford, The Short-Timers

Please read the novel The Short-Timers completely by Tuesday, November 17. Consider the following questions as you read:

• There are three parts in the novel. In each part, an American soldier is killed by another American soldier. Why? What effect does this have? What other patterns do you see repeated in the three parts of the novel?

• There are a number of passages in which great admiration is expressed for the enemy. Find several of them, and be prepared to analyze them.

• In several passages, the realism of the narrative turns into a kind of "surrealism", something that could not have happened. Find at least one of these passages. Be prepared to discuss what it means - why the author uses this technique.

• The Marine Corps has a 'tradition', as we are told in this novel. What is it? What does it mean when Joker "betrays" it in the end?

• What's the meaning of Joker's dream on p. 144? Apply it to the rest of the novel.

• What does the story of Leonard Pratt, a.k.a. Pyle, mean? What's its function in the novel?

• Joker is a military journalist. Examine some passages in which he is discussing, or practicing, his job.

There are many other fascinating questions in this elusive and bitter novel. Please write 300 words or so about one of the passages above, and email it to your group and to me. NOTE: DO NOT SUMMARIZE THE PASSAGES - just interpret them.