What challenges does Jack Smith face as a soldier in Vietnam? (a bulleted list is fine)
- he now has to face the fact that he is now fighting in a war and that death was something that could be happening to him sooner than he expected.
- his friends are dying everywhere and combat is extremely nerve racking
- fear and anger and shock
How does Smith’s attitude toward war change? At first, he wanted to enlist in the war. During the war he was angry and upset with the fact that there is so much fighting and killing going on that it almost seems unnatural. He didn't like that he wittnessed so many of his friends being killed.
I Feel Like I’m Fixing To Die Rag by Joe McDonald
This song by Country Joe and the Fish became one of the first protest songs of the Vietnam Era. Read the lyrics to the song, and then respond to the following:
What is the song asking the “big strong men to do”? They want the "big strong men" to help out their country again and "pick up a gun" and fight in the war.
… the “generals” to do? their supposed to fight for democracy and end communism. "Supposed to get those reds" and that the war can only be over when all the communists are dead.
… “Wall Street” to do? People fighting in the war need supplies so they should help the armies and money can be made if you help out.
… “mothers” to do? Send their sons and husbands and other loved ones off to war and wait until they come home dead.
Write down four specific lines from the song that display sarcasm, cynicism, or anti-war sentiment.
1. "Whoopee! we're all gonna die."
2. "Be the first one on your block To have your boy come home in a box."
3. "We're gonna have a whole lotta fun."
4. "And you know that peace can only be wo When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come."
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