High School

Think about the title "Facing It." Check all of the possible meanings of the word "it" in the title.

A) The memorial
B) The direction of Vietnam
C) Life after the war
D) The reality of the author’s experience

Answer :

The title "Facing It" potentially refers to facing the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, the reality of the author's experiences from the Vietnam War, and life after the war. It involves physical, emotional, and societal confrontation with the impact of the war on individuals and the nation as a whole.

When considering the title "Facing It," the word "it" in the title can have multiple meanings:

  • A) The memorial - The Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Washington D.C., designed by Maya Lin, is a site of contemplation and remembrance. The title could refer to the act of physically facing the Wall with its inscribed names of fallen soldiers.
  • D) The reality of the author's experience - The title could also signify confronting personal emotions and memories related to the Vietnam War and its lasting impact on veterans and society as a whole.
  • C) Life after the war - It may also imply dealing with the aftermath of the war, including the mental and physical wounds carried by veterans long after the conflict has ended.

The title does not directly relate to B) The direction of Vietnam or E) Photo by David Bjorgen, as these options do not align with the interpretive context of the memorial or the other central themes related to the title.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was conceived as a place to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by service members during a tumultuous time in American history. Its design by Maya Lin broke away from traditional monumental forms to create a reflective V-shaped granite wall listing the names of the fallen, encouraging visitors to face not just the Wall, but what it represents about the nation's history and the lives touched by the war.