Tim O'Brien'sThe Things They Carried
11th Annual Ethics Essay Contest
Write an essay and compete for one of three cash awards on each campus:
First
Prize: $100.00
Second Prize: $75.00
Third Prize: $50.00
Second Prize: $75.00
Third Prize: $50.00
Topic:
Ch. 4 of Tm O’Brien’s novel, The Things They Carried, is entitled “On the Rainy River.” It is the story of a young man agonizing over whether to answer his military draft notice or flee to Canada during the Viet Nam war. Analyze this character’s action from an ethical perspective and write an essay in answer to these two questions:
Was the character in this story a moral
coward, as the author seems to suggest in the last two lines? Under
what circumstances, if any, would it be morally justifiable to refuse
to serve in the U.S. armed forces?
Entrance Requirements and Guidelines:
The writer must be registered for a credit class at the campus of entry during the semester of entry. Entries must be typed and double-spaced, and must address the topic identified above. Essays should be approximately 3-5 pages, proposing and defending answers to the topic questions, using good reasoning, and clearly identifying the moral principles upon which the answers rest.
Submission:
The author’s name should appear only on a cover sheet, along with the title of the paper and the author’s address and phone number. Entries should be submitted on the campus of entry to:
Catonsville - Brian Gunn, G115
Dundalk - Sue Weglein, K Building, 2nd floor
Essex - Shirl Everhart, A327
Deadline: March 16, 2007