Caputo reading guide

History 106 Spring 2023 Dr. Vaught Reading Guide Philip Caputo, A Rumor of War As you read through the book, consider the following questions and issues: 1. Why do you think Caputo insists that his memoir "ought not to be regarded as a protest" (p. xxi)? Caputo is trying to explain this topic and educate readers in a manner that conveys his thoughts and ideas, while still leaving room for readers to come to their conclusions. 2. Explain the meaning behind the title of Part One, "The Splendid Little War." He begins by excitedly illustrating war; therefore he uses words such as “splendid”. It was an opportunity to expand his life adventures and become a man. 3. What reasons does Caputo cite for wanting to go to Vietnam? His desire to go to Vietnam was the same as it was for joining the Marines. He was sick of the suburban life that he had known and wanted more for his life, “an adventure”. 4. What "moments of exhilaration" (p. 19) did Caputo experience during Officers' Basic School in the Marine Corps? When the Marines began singing a verse to a marching song, everyone else started to sing along. He stated this was like a “cry of defiance”. 5. What impact did being "chewed out in front of the troops" (p. 34) at Camp Schwab have on Caputo? Compare that to how he felt when he first learned his battalion was "going South" (p. 40). After he was chewed out he vowed that for the rest of the time he was serving, he would act accordingly and behave the way he should. This was different than when he learned he was going south because this experience had confused him about his plans moving forward. 6. Explain the significance of the Vietnam War being "primarily a nocturnal event" (p. 56). There was very little wartime action during the day. They had to be especially on their guard at night, as that was when the snipers would shoot at them or their campsites. This was a new way of fighting for US troops because they expected to be looking their enemy in the face while they were fighting. 7. Why was the war so often "boring" and "phony" for Caputo and other soldiers? Explain what Caputo means by "la cafard." They did not face much threat during the day, which is not what a lot of soldiers had in mind when they were going to Vietnam. Their biggest fights were the natural elements. Caputo explains “la Cafard” in the context of “Its symptoms were occasional fits of depression combined with an uncontrollable fatigue which made simple tasks seem enormous.” The boredom and anxiety took a toll on the soldiers. 8. "It was as though we were in an open-air theater, watching a war movie" (p. 71). Explain. Caputo and his unit because they were not ranked as high, based on skill and performance, had to watch as other, higher, ranked units ran off to fight. Caputo felt like he wasn’t there because of this. 9. What does Caputo mean by "a formless war against a formless enemy" (p. 95)? There was no organization to the war, they were fighting the enemy mostly at night when they couldn’t be seen. He states “ There was no pattern to these patrols and operations. Without a front, flank, or rear, we fought a formless war against a formless enemy who evaporated like the morning jungle mists.”