Soldier's Heart Author
Gary Paulsen
Soldier's Heart Genre
Historical Fiction
Soldier's Heart Setting: Years
1861-1867
Soldier's Heart Setting: What States?
Minnesota, Maryland, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Virginia
Charley
Protagonist: naive at the begining (thought life was easy); old in the mind at the end of the story
Mrs. Goddard
Let Charley go to war; Ignorant
Nelson
wounded soldier who took his own life
Orren
Charley's younger brother
External Conflicts
War: North vs South
Internal Conflicts
Charley struggles w/ staying alive
Charley struggles w/ images of war (at the end)
Charley struggles w/ being lonely
Charley struggles w/ knowing there will be more way
Soldier's Heart Theme: War
War isn't just a fun game - it's serious & devastating
Soldier's Heart Theme: Enemy
You mind is your greates enemy
Soldier's Heart Theme: Lessons
Think twice before you do something / investigate
Symbolism: 2 colliding bullets
heat of battle, at the worst of the battle
Symbolism: horses
destruction of the innocent
Symbolism: Confederate pistol
All that he's been through, mental (Mind) torment (pain)
Symbolism: Wall of dead bodies
Death, loss, the "wall" Charley's put up (protection around his mind)
Symbolism: Overpriced Pie
War - more lost than won
Symbolism: Nelson
Innocent version of Charley
Symbolism: coffee
War is always a part of him
afflict
to cause pain to; to trouble greatly, cause distress
contort
to twist or bend out of shape
inevitable
not to be avoidaed; certain to come
prosperous
doing well; successful; thriving
ravenous
very hungry; greedy
rudimentary
elementary; to be learned or studied first
stationary
standing still; not movable; having a fixed place
Years of the Civil War
1861-1865
Major issue in the Civil War
Slavery
Lincoln elected president
1860
11 Southern states seceded and formed this
Confederate States of Americas
North Advantages
More people, Federal arms, more supplies, road instructions
Southern Advantages
Experienced military & generals
Who was "winning" in the beginning of the war?
South
2 important victories in the North
Vicksburg, Gettysburg
When did General Lee surrender to the North?
1865
Where did General Lee surrender to the North?
Appomatox Court House
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