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.