Narrator's Reflection on the Dead Soldier

The narrator in 'The Things They Carried' describes a young Vietnamese soldier he killed, imagining the soldier's life and dreams. Kiowa, a fellow soldier, empathizes with the narrator's guilt and encourages him to talk about it. The dead soldier symbolizes the narrator's lost youth and the burdens of war.

What is the primary focus at the beginning of the story 'The Man I Killed'?

• A battle scene

• The description of a dead soldier

• The narrator's family

• The narrator's childhood

How is the dead Vietnamese soldier described?

• Old and wise

• Slim and dainty

• Short and stout

• Tall and muscular

What does the narrator imagine about the dead soldier's life?

• He wanted to be a teacher

• He was a skilled warrior

• He was a famous artist

• He was a wealthy businessman

What fear does the narrator attribute to the dead soldier?

• Fear of heights

• Fear of failing as a soldier

• Fear of the dark

• Fear of animals

What does the narrator imagine the dead soldier might have been engaged in?

• A business deal

• A romantic engagement

• A secret mission

• A political campaign

Who tries to comfort the narrator as he examines the body?

• A local villager

• Kiowa

• His commander

• His brother

What does Kiowa suggest the narrator should do?

• Talk about his feelings

• Pray for the dead

• Leave the army

• Write a letter

What does Kiowa do to the body of the dead soldier?

• Moves it to a safer place

• Buries it

• Covers it with a poncho

• Leaves it as it is

What realization does the narrator come to about the dead soldier?

• He knew him from before

• He is imagining the soldier's life

• The soldier was a spy

• The soldier was a hero

What does the narrator know about the dead soldier?

• His entire life story

• Only what he can see

• His family background

• His military achievements