Today in class we reviewed the end of the novel. We all had a common goal of tying up loose ends. Fortunately we all focused on different aspects. I focused on the title, Kristen discussed the meaning behind the birds etc. I brought up how the title, In Country, may be in reference to the different countries and places that have had an effect on the characters. We discussed how, once in Washington, Sam truly understood why America is referred to as "America the Beautiful". Kristen brought up when Sam finds her name on the wall of veterans and says that the names decorated the wall. I thought that the fact the Sam referred to the names as decoration makes them seem more like patterns than people. This idea reflects how the veterans feel after they return home from war. They fell that they themselves are more like pawns in a game than they are people. Also, Emmett's pimples clear up in the sun at the memorial. This is symbolic for how Emmett has come to terms with the war and thus has more peace of mind.

Today in our literary groups I was the scribe. Dan was absent however Kristin, Shiori and I brought up some very important points. I brought up the way the way the Irene treats Sam opposed to the way Irene treats her new baby. Kristin said that Irene has moved on and the baby is a representation of her new family. Shiori said that although their relationship isn't conventional, Sam appreciated Irene for who she is. We also discussed the symbolism behind the birds. Kristin noted the part in the text that refers to how hunters hunt birds. Birds don't expect it just as the young men didn't expect to be thrown into the war. Perhaps Emmett's infatuation with birds is because he feels like a bird that is being hunted. I also brought up a part of the text where the baby's hand is referred to as a "naked little bird." I thought perhaps the birds represented innocence and the freedom and carelessness that babies have. Shiori brought up the meaning behind the title and we discussed why it is In Country opposed to In My Country or In That Country. Perhaps it is because the country is foreign to her or she doesn't know exactly what country she is talking about. The whole book includes secrets and confusion so the confusion in the title suits the novel.