“Where Have You Gone Charming Billy

Name ______Date ______

“Where Have You Gone Charming Billy?” By Tim O’Brien

1. From what point of view is this story told?

2. Describe the setting.

3. What literary device does the author use to tell this story to readers?

4. From where does the story title come?

5. Read O’Brien’s comments on page 130 about his experience in Vietnam. Why does the other soldier speak so harshly to Paul Berlin?

6. Find two examples of simile. What do they help you understand?

7. An example of allusion is on page 133, bottom—the reference to the cement mixer. What is a cement mixer? How is this allusion appropriate?

8. On page 134-136, what has Paul learned as part of his combat survival training?

9. On page 135, column 1, what does this passage reveal about Paul?

10. Find three examples of alliteration. Why do you think O’Brien uses this figurative language from time to time?

11. The imagery on page 136, beginning with the sentence “They were quiet awhile,” refers to what?

12. Idioms and slang terms are used throughout. “Got the time?” is an idiom meaning “What time is it?” Croaking is the slang term for dying. Bloody is a vulgar British slang term meaning very. Why is this type of language used in this story? Find three other examples of either idioms or slang terms. Explain what they mean. 13. Look at page 136, column 2, bottom. What is this imagery describing? What senses does the author evoke in the reader? Why is it particularly terrifying?

14.On page 137-138, column 1, what are the two conflicts? Are they internal or external? Explain.

15. On page 138, why do the soldiers sing? What is ironic about the author’s use of this particular children’s song in a war story?

16. What was ironic about the death of Billy Boy?

17. Approximately how many times is Billy Boy’s ironic death mentioned? Why do you think the author used the repetition of this fact in this story?

18. In a sense, this is a story about a hero’s quest—a search for something of great value. What is it that Paul expects to find at the sea, the end point of his journey? Ironically, what does he find instead? (What is his central conflict? What does he learn?)

19. Using question 16 for help, form a statement of theme.

20. In what ways is Paul an exile and an outsider? What do ou imagine Paul will be like a year after this story ends?

21. How do you feel about the way this writer has treated the subject of war? How does the character, Paul’s story resemble other war stories you have read or war movies you have seen? How is it different?