The Sorrow of War: A Novel of North Vietnam

Consider the relationship between Memory and loss in the novel. To what extent is Kien able to counterbalance negative recollections with positive memories? How do memories connect with his well-being? Analyze and discuss examples from a variety of places in the text.

Teaching Suggestion: For Kien, memories are both a positive and negative experience. In order to deal with the trauma of war, Kien feels obliged to record in writing his memories from scenes of battle; however, he also mentions that his best years were his childhood in the years prior to the war. In this vein, nostalgia functions as a dual sword of both sorrow from the pain of war, as well as sorrow for a longing for the past. Students might work in pairs or small groups to list notable scenes or passages that serve as evidence for the topic of Memory, then move to independent workstations to compose their response.

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Kien’s Writing”

In this activity, students will select and analyze a series of passages from the text that best express Kien’s relationship with writing as an art form and as a reaction to conflict.