So you've read The Women now. In 100 words or fewer, identify the part of the book that is most likely to stick with you the longest.
What's your take away?Don't answer this question until you've finished reading the entire book. Claiming to have read the book without having done so would be dishonorable. Far better to take a late penalty than to sacrifice your integrity for a grade. Owning your life choices can be the first step to enlightenment.
The Memorial at the end signified the turning in America culture around how we viewed Vietnam and it's veterans. It was no longer a source of shame or anger, but an opportunity for sympathy, reflection, apology and acknowledgement of everyone who suffered unduly, ignorant of why they were even fighting. After all the years of humiliation, slander, and neglect, the veterans of America's most controversial war Especially for this book is how the women finally got the acknowledgement and support from the military and peers try also failed to receive in addition to all that their male counterparts suffered through.
ReplyDeleteTruly the part that is sticking with me the most is the way Frankie was treated when seeking help. Specifically when she went to the VA and was asked if she was on her period and was even told that there were "no women in Vietnam." and again when she tried to go to the group. This is something that happened to many women at the time. To add to this, once presented with the fact that there were women in Vietnam, they just denied the trauma the women experienced. You feel her frustration.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this, it is painful to read and realize that beyond this book and even beyond the time period, women were denied mental health treatment and even the acknowledgment that they were suffering from mental illness and treated as if they were being dramatic, denied of having experienced any trauma at all, or even mocked for it. No matter what they always had some sort of reason to deny, ignore, or even attempt to rewrite the events and trauma the women experienced to be "lesser" or "non-existent".
DeleteFrankie asked for help various times throughout the book, but she is always told that there were "no women in Vietnam" and refused mental health services she so desperately needed. The Vietnam Veteran's, especially the women, mental health issues were exacerbated by ignorance and lack of support. If the veterans were given proper support early on their mental health wouldn’t have deteriorated so far, but they had to had to fight ardently for that support that was given many decades too late. This part of the book serves as a lesson for what should be done differently in the future.
ReplyDeleteI believe the companionship the Frankie, Ethel, and Barb developed in there time together in Vietnam is what really sticks out to me. Frankie came in uneducated and so ridiculously unprepared for what she would face in Vietnam. One of her first expierences being a MASCAL. The only thing that got her though that MASCAL was Ethel encouraging her and giving her support. Which she was not granted back in the world. I think that it speaks to the lack of support veterans received when they got back from the war. Even despite the horrors they had to endure which were hidden from the public. It serves as a reminder of what happens when you neglect those who fight the hardest for you.
ReplyDeleteFrankie tried to seek help many times before being forcefully institutionalized. The way that her experience was dismissed and downplayed left a bitter taste in my mouth. The fact that she was treated so poorly by fellow veterans, simply for being a woman, broke my heart. Half of the bad things that happened to her, because of her mental health, could have been prevented if someone had just listened to her.
ReplyDeleteThe moment that will stay with me the most within this book is when Frankie believes she has completely lost Jamie in Vietnam. Her whole world just crashes. The writer creates this scene of them being together, and then he's gone. This scene shows life's unpredictability, and nothing is guaranteed. My takeaway is that something precious can be gone in the blink of an eye, often far too late. The worst part of this all is when no one tells her he's been a POW, making the pain and confusion worse for her and proving how fast things can change.
ReplyDeleteThe satisfaction that Frankie feels after buying that land and establishing the Last Best Place will stay with me. Throughout the book it felt like Frankie was lost and ran into every roadblock she possibly could've; however, she prevailed. She was finally able to find her calling in the world and properly heal, as well as helping others so they don't have to hit the same obstacles she did. That is true success to me.
ReplyDeleteIt was not just one scene in the book that will stick with me, but a combination of many throughout the book. Frankie’s kindness was shown through the small things people may not initially think to do. The way she took the soldiers' hands and comforted them. How kind she was to the children at the orphanage, especially how she held and sang to Mia until she fell asleep. For some reason, the one I think back to the most is how she took a woman's hand and rubbed lotion into it while the woman was on her deathbed.
ReplyDeletePeople’s reaction to Frankie returning home was a huge turning point in the book for me. While Frankie had gone through so much and witnessed so many gruesome injuries and deaths, she at least had the support of her friends and acquaintances in Vietnam. However, back in the world, she was ridiculed, vilified, and ignored - all because she was a female Vietnam veteran. While there are many stories that focus on the Vietnam war, The Women uniquely captures the experience women went through and the treatment that they got during that time.
ReplyDeleteThe part of the book that will stick with me the most was the time when Jamie was brutally injured and Frankie believed that he had died. This stuck with me because not only were they each others support system in the operating room, but they were true friends outside of it as well. She went so long throughout life mourning someone she loved deeply and someone who had helped her through all of the the chaotic/terrifying days only to never really find out if he had ever survived his injuries until the end of the book.
ReplyDeletepeyton spahn^^^
DeleteThe part of the book that will stick with me the most was the time when Jamie was brutally injured and Frankie believed that he had died. This stuck with me because not only were they each others support system in the operating room, but they were true friends outside of it as well. She went so long throughout life mourning someone she loved deeply and someone who had helped her through all of the the chaotic/terrifying days only to never really find out if he had ever survived his injuries until the end of the book.
Frankie did not let the world, who treated her horribly when she returned from Vietnam, stop her from remembering. While it was not an easy road to walk, having to navigate the effects of PTSD when the world did not know what that was, she never quit. Even when to others it may have looked like she gave up, she found trust and love from the unexpected and that fueled her to keep going. Eventually, she built a life she was proud of by honoring the women who were forgotten and gaining her passion back through her nursing license.
ReplyDeleteThe genuine frustration that overtook me when a book titled "The Women" brought back a man at every opportunity available will rest with me the longest, which I don't love to admit. There were many powerful, great messages in this story and in the real stories of the women who served. It's a well written book to make me so upset when one of those messages is regularly undermined, because I am not mad that Jamie lived. I am mad that it was treated like paradise for a character who had already found and created one for herself.
ReplyDeleteI agree! You worded my thoughts for me. It should be more emphasized that she did not need a man to be happy.
DeleteHow difficult regular life is after war will stick with me. On returning to the United States, Frankie struggles to adapt to her new life. Like Frankie, many soldiers take years learning to fully function and support themselves. It is common for addiction, major depression, or suicidal thoughts to find themselves on these returning victims of war. In a letter Frankie wrote, “I am writing on behalf of our American heroes, the men who have been left behind.” (The Women, p. 321) When it comes to helping veterans adjust to everyday life, many have been left behind.
ReplyDeleteThe part of The Women that is going to stick with me the longest is how people just refused to believe women went to war; even if they did believe women went to war they would not acknowledge their service as real service or appreciate the gravity of what the women went through. I mean, 8 women died and they didn’t even share that news. It is crazy to me that even after years had gone by Frankie and many other women only ended up getting help from each other.
ReplyDeleteMy greatest takeaway from this book was a reminder and reinforcement of a quote attributed to Mahatma Ghandi: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Frankie wanted to see much change throughout her journey, such as the public view of the war and the ability of women to access help back home as the men of the war were receiving. She began protesting the war to change minds, and began helping the women of the war herself since no one else would. She saw what she believed needed to be done and she took action.
ReplyDeleteI would say that the part of the book that will stick with me longest would be Frankie's trauma. The book truly depicted the reality of trauma and how it can change you mentally, emotionally, and physically. It also shows the struggle of reaching out for help, as well as allowing others to help you when faced with a personal struggle. However, I also liked how the book shows Frankie healing and eventually getting help, showing the reader that getting better is possible, no matter how impossible it may feel.
ReplyDeleteThe part of the book that will stick with me the most is when Frankie finally arrives back from Vietnam and gets treated terribly by the protesters. While she was in Vietnam saving lives instead of taking them, she was treated like a criminal in a way. Instead of being thanked for saving soldiers or at least comforting them while they took their last breaths, she was spit on and called names. My takeaway from this is that people should do things that make themselves feel important and not look for assurance or thanks from others. People need to start appreciating themselves and be proud of themselves instead of looking for it from others.
ReplyDeleteWow! Such an amazing story! One sentence I read really stuck with me and it’s when the book says, “She didn’t know who she was without the pain or the need to hide it” on page 431. That’s a small part of the larger whole that’s certainly going to stick with me because it’s such a small but vulnerable piece of her experience that I feel we can all somewhat relate to. I know reaching out for help seems like it’s impossible or it doesn’t do anything, but it’s one of the best steps you’ll ever take. -Zeeva Skidmore-Beaney
ReplyDeleteThe part of the book that will stick with me the most is how Frankie's clear mental health issues were diminished because of the social normalities that were held at the time. Mental health issues are seen frequently today. Treating people on the basis of status is not just. Many struggle with their mental health, and I believe they should all be treated fairly.
ReplyDeleteThe part of the book that will stick with me is when Frankie miscarries her baby. Mainly because it was very jarring, and also a little annoying because it felt like a gut wrenching moment just to be a gut wrenching moment, but also because it really brought her into an intense downward spiral (or at least more of one) and really brought to light her unhealed trauma and poor mental health. But the part where she miscarries has really stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteWhat stuck with me the most is how Frankie felt trapped in her own thoughts. Even when she was wanting help she found it so hard to actually be acknowledged by others. I think the reason that this stuck with me is that so many times in mental health or trauma based we push it aside and cope through addictions or distractions instead of dealing with the problem at hand. Her overall ability to completely change her life for the better and dedicate it to others through her Farm or therapy groups will stick with me.
ReplyDeleteA part of the book that stuck with me the most was the line on page 478. The sentence was, “They’d been silenced, forgotten for too long, especially the women.” This line really stayed with me because it made me think about how often women’s voices are ignored, not just in history, but even in everyday life. Reading about the women who served and risked their lives, only to be overlooked, made me feel both angry and inspired. It reminded me how important it is to speak up, to recognize women’s sacrifices, and to make sure their stories are remembered.
ReplyDeleteThe part of the book that is going to stick with the most is the recurring theme that “Women can be heroes”. It isn’t something I had given a lot of thought to and I feel like a big part of that is being a guy. Before reading this book I didn’t realize how many women heroes I had, and that’s my favorite part about this book is now that I can appreciate those women in my life! My takeaway is to appreciate and recognize those people in my life moving forward. Anyone can have resilience and strength no matter what their gender is, and those are people I want to look up to. (Sorry went a little over the word limit)
ReplyDeleteA part of the book that resonated with me emotionally was on page 452, the context for the scene is them discussing in the circle about Agent Orange and it's effects on them, and Gwyn said "Sometimes I think dying would be easier than living this way." I find that powerful because even with her genuinely feeling that way, she still has the courage to live. I feel that way about the rest of the women in the group too, it would be easy to give up on life after all that they have done but they confide in each other and try to move on and live.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing that stuck with me since I’ve read the novel is the amount of perseverance Frankie showed throughout. Yes, she dabbled in drugs and let herself drown in her sorrows, but she was able to push past that and work on herself. Frankie took her experiences and created something new from that to help others who may have experienced similar or the same things. This is something I highly value. I truly believe we as humans fight our own battles so we may teach and lead others. So if there was anything I could take away from this novel, and there are many, this would be it. I am grateful for the new boost of motivation this novel has given me, and I am sure to remember it anytime I or someone I know is going through it.
ReplyDeleteThe part in the book that will stick with me is in chapter 23 when Frankie asks Henry if he thinks the protests will do any good and Henry replies with "we have to try." I think it is very important to stand up for what you believe in no matter what and Henry does exactly that. Even when it seems futile, Henry still chooses to protest because he believes it is the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThe part that will stick with me the most is when Frankie repeatedly seeks help for her PTSD and is told there were “no women in Vietnam.” Even after everything she went through saving lives, her trauma is dismissed. That moment captures how invisible women veterans were, and how society ignored their suffering. Frankie’s persistence and her eventual healing made me think deeply about resilience, advocacy, and the importance of being seen. It reminded me that recognition and support can truly change someone’s life.
ReplyDeleteOne scene that will stay with me is when Frankie wandered into the ocean after overdosing on her medications and nearly drowned. I believe it was not Vietnam itself that drove her to this point, but the lack of support she faced when she returned home. Frankie had the strength to survive the trenches of war, but she could not withstand the neglect and invalidation that awaited her afterward. Her parents, who had always taught her that service was the highest honor, became the very people who dismissed her experience and denied her truth. This heartbreaking moment has taught me the importance of listening to people’s experiences with openness and without judgment, because everyone deserves to have their story heard, no matter how raw or difficult it may be.
ReplyDeleteA part of the book that continues to stick with me is the mental journey Frankie goes through with her PTSD from Vietnam. Frankie's PTSD and mental struggles were a strong part of the book's story, with her struggles conveying the tribulations that Vietnam Veterans underwent upon coming home. I find this story of her mental redemption to be incredibly compelling. Frankie stands as an example of the average Vietnam veteran and the overwhelming effect PTSD has on the mind. I believe her being able to live with her PTSD, and not forget Vietnam, is a very moving direction for Frankie's character.
ReplyDeleteThe way Frankie was rejected from the mental health group and shunned and mocked upon her return, having no acknowledgment that she was suffering from mental illness and having her trauma ignored and denied, as well as her service being dismissed and ridiculed. It will forever remain on my mind when I think of this book. Over the course of it Frankie suffered quite a lot, handling her pain in ways that were entirely unhealthy but the only way she could stay grounded during her tour in Vietnam. It felt like they always had an excuse, reason or justification to not acknowledge the events, the trauma, the bravery and the service the women displayed and experienced. It’s even more painful when you realize that it still happens, even today. Even when it “gets better”, it never truly goes away completely. I still think about her parents’ reaction to when she first went off to the war, and how unlike her brother she was not praised but scolded harshly. It makes me very sad for her.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the right way to protest a war? Seeing Frankie’s return home - rejected by her friends, family, and society - gave me a glimpse into the utter isolation those lucky enough to return were welcomed with. For many Americans, if you were in Vietnam, you were part of the problem. On the other hand, many of these soldiers being shipped overseas had no understanding of the war. I don’t think it is moral to be a soldier fighting for an unjust war, but where do we draw the line between protesting the participation and the villainization of our soldiers?
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ReplyDeleteThe disregard people had for Frankie's service, and her subsequent self destruction. In general: the effect the world had on Frankie as a Vietnam veteran. And not only was she alienated from civilians, but also her fellow veterans, male, who did not believe that she had served at all. That feeling of loneliness from everyone around her - even her fellow vets in nursing - and the subsequent rage and shame and hate that came with her dealing with a world that would not accept that she had seen a generation die by the statistic.
Zachariah Hobia
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ReplyDeleteI felt like this book called out the sorrow in me, for the women who served and especially for those who couldn’t get the help they needed. Frankie tried twice to get the mental help she needed from the veterans’ resources, and they shunned her, rather than just giving her the support she needed. These incredible women were discredited for their services and treated like trash back home. My main takeaway was how to identify the struggles of others. It’s brave to fight for your future and find yourself, even when nobody can help you completely.
The author executed a phenomenal performance capturing the intricacies and detrimental effects of trauma. First, she highlighted how trauma extends beyond combat. Frankie did not fight as a soldier, but that does not mean that she did not go through life-threatening and harrowing events. Secondly, she stressed how the denial of a person’s trauma and experiences amplifies the pain they feel. Arguably, the most difficult events emotionally and mentally for Frankie were NOT IN VIETNAM. She beautifully exemplified how important it is to acknowledge the experiences of all individuals
ReplyDeleteThe part that will stick with me the most is how Frankie overcame the obstacles put in front of her. As someone who feels every emotion very deeply I often get stuck on the bad parts and struggle to see the good. Being able to see Frankie's growth physically and mentally resonated with my fear of the future, not knowing if I'm ready or if I will have the strength to overcome future battles. I also feel Frankies guilt of not loving Henry but also staying with him. It's not about using them it's about wanting to feel something and feeling guilty for not.
ReplyDeleteWhat stood out to me the most was the bond between the friends and the support they provided each other during their service in Vietnam and after they returned home. At a time when society overlooked these women’s pain and trauma, offering them no assistance, they were left to cope with their experiences alone. When no one else would, they were able to find support and recognition within a community of women who had endured similar horrors and could relate to the problems that they had all struggled with alone.
ReplyDeleteWhat sticks out to me the most about The Women is the sheer political and social depth of the material, primarily in Frankie’s upbringing and eventual settling down during her time in the Army. Frankie is vastly unprepared for the war in Vietnam, a detail that is revealed slowly throughout the book, which makes her beginning struggles in the 71st very apparent. It also highlights her inability to return to normal and her rapid mental decline following the war; she was never ready, and never really in an environment that took her seriously until the end.
ReplyDeleteFrankie had people to rely on through her ups and downs. She let her own naivety and desperation pull her into bad situations. Then she let herself sink into misery until it worried the people who really cared. She had good moments too, moments where she was happy. The things she felt were real and not to be ignored. She was strong to remember her trauma and help women similar to her. She deserved to finally be told she was appreciated. Life has a way of showing everyone how to grow and continue forward courageously.
ReplyDeleteThe part that will stick with me the most is the not the war but after the war when she went back home. It was so sad and horrible to see how much the veterans were not appreciated for what they did. They even were walking around with PTSD and trauma and people would walk right by them instead of actually helping them. I also didn't like how with all the obstacles and bad situations Frankie had to deal with that her family brushed it off like it was nothing. So my main point is that this book made me realize that people need to care more about the war veterans and show them some appreciation because they really deserve the recognition and help so they can work of recovering to get back to how they were before.
ReplyDeleteI would choose the moment where Frankie is caring for a soldier while there are a couple other men watching. The author describes this moment so well. As the soldier passes, Frankie acknowledges the other men and describes them as having a death stare as they head back into a society that they don't belong in. This captures one of the major themes throughout the book - That those back home won't ever have full understanding of what those in Vietnam had been through. They couldn't begin to recognize the trauma that these men and women endured.
ReplyDeleteI think what stood out to me the most was how women in Vietnam didn't get enough credit for what they did, whether they fought or served as nurses, but also when the Vietnam soldiers came back home none of the soldiers got any credit. They were hated on by many when they returned. Many families turned their backs on their own families. The soldiers were struggling with PTSD and extreme trauma and people would ignore them instead of helping them. I wish that they would have cared for them more and got the help that they needed to recover so they could return to their family and be there for them.
ReplyDeleteThe part that sticks out to me the most is when she comes back from Vietnam and gets looked down upon. People spit on her and call her names just for wearing an army shirt. It is quite ironic that the people call her a "baby killer", when she held a dead baby in her arms because her country attacked innocent villages and the village people.
ReplyDeleteThis was mine! - Morgan Bugbee
DeleteTo me the biggest part of the book was how Frankie was treated after the war. Vietnam was a war that was drowned in so much controversy with many wondering why they were even there. It was a war that left everyone bitter and anyone who was in the war was shunned. This was especially hard on women. Just the idea of having such heavy trauma only to be pushed away and told your service didn't even exist is just insane to me. This part of the book will stick with me
ReplyDeleteThe part that stuck with me the most is how people in Vietnam change over their time in the war. When she tried to ask how to deal with it everybody said you will learn and figure it out. To me it came full circle when she had a new nurse come in and frankie tried to teach her as much as she could. This reminds me of life in the sense that nobody can teach you how to deal with life. It is just a journey.
ReplyDeleteI think the most important thing to take away from The Women is the danger of unresolved trauma. Almost the entire third act of the book is dedicated to Frankie’s spiral after she is unable to get help with her trauma. While it isn’t entirely her fault, I’d even argue that it’s mostly not her fault, her downfall shows that even the most grounded people can completely transform if trauma is left alone to grow like a parasite, feasting on the emotional damage until the person goes beyond the point of no return.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that will stick with me is the harsh way that the soldiers and nurses were treated after returning. These people dealt with situations that I could never imagine being in. They put themselves in these positions to serve their country and the people within it. When they returned home, they were faced with disgust rather than grace. Their trauma and difficulties were not taken into account, but rather completely disregarded. People may not have agreed with the actions within the war, but these people deserved to be honored for the efforts they provided. I will never be able to understand the hardships service men and women go through, however I will always be bale to provide them with kindness and grace after realizing what they could have possibly endured.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest takeaway from The Women was the awful treatment received by Frankie upon her discharge. While the war was unpopular and immoral Frankie being spit on, cursed at, and mistreated really summed up the inequalities we see today. Frankie even remarked upon it, as the male POWs came home to parades and cheers, the women nurses were scorned upon. Overall, the treatment of Frankie after her service highlighted how ignorance can cause harm to others, as I feel it really affected her mental health. Even as she tried to receive help, she was turned away and ridiculed.
ReplyDeleteThe part of the book that I will remember the longest is the last chapter. There is such a bittersweetness to it. Frankie has had to deal with so much hardship, so much trauma. Finally, you get to see her heal and make her own life. Not only does she heal her life, but you get to see her heal other womens’ lives. She can give the guidance that she could have used back when she was in pain. It is bittersweet because Frankie deserved better in her life but she ends up getting the recognition and closure she needed.
ReplyDeleteForgot to set my name. Apologies.
DeleteThe part of the book that will stick with me the longest would be the misinformation surrounding the war and what people back in the U.S. were being told compared to what Frankie actually experienced. This experience makes Frankie question everything she knew and had been taught up to that point and shapes how she views the world going forward. Frankie almost feels betrayed by what she sees happening. For example, she has a realization after treating locals of napalm burns that the opposing side does not have napalm.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s going to be everything she went through in Vietnam and afterwards. The soldiers she saved and the ones she comforted until they died will stick with me. You don’t realize how much you need someone to comfort you until you’re at rock bottom. What hurt was how far down Frankie had to go to get help. No one believed her until she was suicidal. Even now, that’s something that happens even with all of our research in psychology.
ReplyDeletethe part that will stick with me is the process of her recovery. She went through so much, in Vietnam and at home, but she got through it with the people around her and her own will. The things she went through in Vietnam were horrible and then she came home and was pushed away and spat on.
ReplyDeleteI think that the part of the book that will stick with me the most is Frankie's father's change from denying her service and what she had been through to accepting her and what had happened.
ReplyDeleteThe part that I'll remember is the memorial for women veterans. Getting to see that in the end their sacrifices and efforts finally get recognized after being overlooked for way too long is awesome. After all the suffering and pain they went through and then getting ignored they finally had a statement that they mattered that they were there and they did something. A physical testament to their effort and work. I think my take away is acknowledgement can heal and honor in a way silence could never. That all sacrifices should be recognized and not ignored
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