Please answer the following questions and post them onto http://www.turnitin.com
- Describe how Henry has changed since the beginning of the novel. Mention specific examples of how his behavior, his mentality, and the way he acts and thinks have changed. Explain WHY you think he has changed.
- Think about the religious symbolism throughout the novel. Rinaldi says, “I am the snake. I am the snake of reason.” Henry responds, “You’re getting it mixed. The apple was reason” (p. 170). Rinaldi has “no sacred subjects” and notes that he has no married friends, presumably because he can seduce any woman through reason. Finally he admits, “We are born with all we have and we never learn. We never get anything new. We all start complete” (p. 171). These biblical symbols draw us back into questions of religion. Could Rinaldi provide a symbol of the atheist or a world without religion? Explain.
- Think about when Henry escapes and FALLS into the river. He says that he comes out washed of all obligations. Explain the symbolism behind this.
- Book three ends with Henry leaving the war. Why do you think it ends HERE? What do you predict that Book 4 will be about?
- Think about when Henry rips the stars off of his uniform. He does this because he does not want to be identified as an officer. He was arrested for that before. But, what symbolism is there in CUTTING out his stars? Why does he keep them? Explain.
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