Times of Change 2

Jack Smith by Ron Steinman

What challenges does Jack Smith face as a soldier in Vietnam? (a bulleted list is fine):
-The intense, warm climates of Vietnam
-The chance of dying anymoment, or having your friends die right next to you
-It was very boring doing the same things over and over again with your free time

How does Smith’s attitude toward war change?:
-Before the war, he really wanted to be part of it, but then as the war progressed, he really started to hate it.

I Feel Like I’m Fixing To Die Rag by Joe McDonald

This song by Country Joe and the Fish became one of the first protest songs of the Vietnam Era. Read the lyrics to the song, and then respond to the following:


What is the song asking the “big strong men to do”?:
-To go over to Vietnam and fight for the United States


… the “generals” to do?:
-To kill all of the Vietnam soldiers


… “Wall Street” to do?:
-To make supplies for the war


… “mothers” to do?:
-To send their young boys to the war, so that they can fight for the United States


Write down four specific lines from the song that display sarcasm, cynicism, or anti-war sentiment:
-"Open up the Pearly gates"
-"We're gonna have a whole lot of fun"
-"To have your boy come home in a box"
-"Your big chance has come at last!"