Chapter 3: Spin

What do we learn about Azar’s character in this story?

• The chapter starts off with a rather friendly interaction with Azar and a kid as O’Brien states, “I remember a little boy with a plastic leg. I remember how he hopped over to Azar and asked for a chocolate bar” (O’Brien 30). The little boy then said, “” to which Azar was laughing, and he decided to give him the chocolate. After the boy left, Azar sympathizes over the boy and the effects war had on him, particularly on his  “one leg”. This depicts the character of Azar as someone who does have a heart, even after being a part of the war and seeing the damage it can cause not only to an environment yet the people as well. 

How was the war NOT like a game of checkers?

• According to the information based in the book, war was not like a game of checkers. Tim describes how some soldiers would play “checkers every evening before dark” (O’Brien 31). Tim then goes on to talk about how peaceful the atmosphere around them would be, as if everything was okay, as he states, “There was something restful about it, something orderly and reassuring… The playing field was laid out in a strict grid, no tunnels… You knew where you stood. You knew the score” (O’Brien 31). In all, war was not like a game of checkers as one would actually know the end and beginning. One could also predict the strategies that was made by the other play; however, that was not the case in war as it was truly unpredictable, especially in the Vietnam War where guerrilla warfare (stealthy combatants would use the element of surprise on the opposing side) was heavily utilized by the North Vietnamese Communists, also known as Viet Cong. There was rules implemented into a game of checkers, yet this war had no rules. There are also clear winners and losers in checkers, yet are there actually any winners in war knowing the amount of lives lost and the amount of land destroyed?

How did the “old poppa-san” help the platoon? What was his special skill?

• The “old poppa-san” help the platoon by guiding them through the minefields on the Batangan Peninsula. He especially knew what steps to take as Tim states, “He knew where the safe spots were and where you had to be careful and where even if you were careful you could end up like popcorn” (O’Brien 32). His special skill is knowing where these spots are along with having such stealth secured in his movements as Tim also says, “He had a tightrope walker’s feel for the land beneath him- its surface tension, the give and take of things” (O’Brien 32). Comparing this man to a tightrope allows the reader to visualize the “old poppa-san” and how he is truly careful, which is beneficial to the soldiers as they’re required to follow his footsteps (no pun intended). Overall, this resulted in the soldiers actually learning fr0m his guidance as Tim recalls, “The place was littered with… booby-trapped artillery rounds, but in those five days on the Batangan Peninsula nobody got hurt” (O’Brien 32). 

What does Norman Bowker wish for, more than anything?

• While laying on his back and looking at the stars, thinking out loud, Norman Bowker whispers to Tim, “‘If I could have one wish, anything, I’d wish for my dad to write me a letter and say it’s okay if I don’t win any medals’” (O’Brien 34). Norman goes on to talk about how his dad only talks about medals, and he can’t wait to see Norman’s. In all, Norman just wishes that his father could stop bothering about earning medals and focus on the actual achievements Norman is making in his life. This showcases that not everything should be based on physical attributes or items that show these “accomplishments” yet rather how much an individual has progressed or acts that are based on intellect. 

What does Kiowa say when his rain dance doesn’t work?

• Kiowa tries to teach a rain dance to Rat Kiley and Dave Jensen, with some villagers watching them either in fascination or horror. Rat makes the comment, “‘So where’s the rain?’” while Kiowa responds with, “‘The earth is slow, but the buffalo is patient’” (O’Brien 35). Kiowa’s response suggests that the rain will eventually come, yet one must be patient in order for that to happen.  If one just constantly waits for the rain to come, then he or she is going to be left undesired and much time will be wasted; it’s as if that person is waiting for nothing to occur. 

What did Azar do to Ted Lavender’s puppy?

• Ted Lavender finds a puppy and starts taking care of it by feeding it and carrying it around, yet Azar goes ahead and kills the puppy with a grenade as Tim states, “Azar strapped the puppy to a Claymore antipersonnel mine and squeezed the firing device” (O’Brien 35). 

What does Azar say about his action?

• To his response, Azar tries to defend killing the puppy as he claims, “‘What’s everybody so upset about? Azar said. ‘I mean, Christ, I’m just a boy’” (O’Brien 35). Generally, Azar doesn’t understand why his the people around him are truly disturbed by this event. This compares this nature to that of a boy as children are known to get away with a majority of actions since some may argue that they don’t know any better due to their minds developing. To some, this could also mean indicate ignorance and childish like features from Azar which could be supported when Tim talks about how young some of the soldiers are and how “as a consequence things often took a curiously playful atmosphere” (O’Brien 35).

Identify in this story moments of beauty and/or serenity.

• In this chapter, there are a majority of moments that are filled with such beauty and serenity. For instance, this includes the descriptions Tim made for Azar giving chocolate to a boy with a plastic leg, some of the soldiers playing checkers every evening, Ted Lavender’s care and nurture towards a puppy he found, and Norman Bowker looking at the stars while revealing a thought-provoking sentiment about his father. 

How is this story structured? What can you say about all these short sections?

• This chapter is structured in a variety of narratives and anecdotes about the rather “small” events that happened during the war. Some of the stories continue or reference off of another such as when Tim talks about how Ted Lavender cares for a puppy in one section to where Azar kills the puppy in another section talking about age, specifically young soldiers, in terms of competition and playfulness. Theses flashbacks also refer to the main characters in the platoon. All these short sections are all filled with a certain nostalgia and atmosphere that may make a person “forget” the war is happening as the environment and soldiers seem so peaceful and carefree. It generally brings some positive out of the whole situation at hand. 

According to Tim, what are stories for?

• According to Tim, stories have a variety of uses and reasons. Particularly in the context of war, these stories allow those to remember what happened, to remind people on what happened, or even to let people know what happened if they didn’t in the first place. Along the lines of stories, Tim specifically states, “Stories are for joining the past to the future. Stories are for those late hours in the night when you can’t remember how you got from where you were to where you are. Stories are for eternity… when there is nothing to remember except the story” (O’Brien 36). These stories also can shed some light to dark situations and allow people of the past, present, and future to never forget what happened during times of tragedy, progression, and victories- all around important events of history. 

Reflection:

This chapter was not focused on the fighting that occurs in the war (compared to chapter 1) yet rather the stories filled with serenity and reminiscence instead. It tells the tale that all parts of the war weren’t negative, as these soldiers had each other in such a time of need. The title of the chapter, “Spin”, gives the reader some contextualization on what he or she is about to read as the word “spin” would give an illusion of happiness or positive feeling to an event that wasn’t filled with positivity at all. Generally, it would “spin” the truth to make it better than it actually was; this could apply to the soldiers who needed such encourage or positivity during the tragic event of the war or to the people reading about what truly went down in the war. In the last paragraph of chapter 3, Tim goes on to talk about how these stories are significant even if they may seem out of place. These stories merge the past, present, and future together, allowing these memories to be forever and for people to remember what happened as well as making deep connections and realizations on the events that occured.