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Chapter 2
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Women, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Trauma, Healing, and the Vietnam War
Women’s Experiences and Solidarity
Heroism, Honor, and Sacrifice
Propaganda vs. Truth
Shame, Pride, and Moral Ambiguity
Summary
Analysis
Frankie returns home and tells her parents she’s joined the Army Nurse Corps. Given their family’s military history and their pleased reactions when Finley volunteered, Frankie expects them to congratulate her. But Dad reprimands her, saying the men serve and they are a Navy family, not Army. Mom tells Frankie to back out. She accuses her husband of filling Frankie’s head with patriotic ideals, despite never serving himself, and she blames the nightmares of war for her own father’s early death. Frankie argues that she won’t be near the front and will get to see Finley. Mom hugs Frankie and tells her not to be a hero, no matter what stories she’s heard about the glories of war.
Mom and Dad’s reactions to Frankie’s enlistment show how sexism effectively bars women from achieving the same honor as men. While Mom and Dad were proud of Finley for volunteering, they seem ashamed of Frankie for doing the same thing simply because they have different expectations of her, due to her being female. Furthermore, by blaming Dad’s patriotism for Frankie’s decision, Mom raises questions about her own views of military service. Her distress and advice to Frankie to avoid heroism suggests a deeper understanding of the horrors of war than her past behavior let on.
Themes
The doorbell rings. Frankie answers to find two naval officers standing at attention. The officers are sorry to report that Finley has been killed, shot down in a helicopter. His remains have been lost. They have few answers for Frankie’s distraught parents but call Finley a hero. Frankie goes to the beach, wondering why Finley was in a helicopter and how her brother can be dead. Mom joins her. Frankie cannot stand the thought of a funeral with an empty casket. Mom asks Frankie not to go to Vietnam. But Frankie can see no way out of her commitment. She promises to come home, but those were Finley’s last words to Mom. Mom leaves Frankie alone on the beach.
Given the optimistic pride that permeated Finley’s goodbye party, his death comes as an extreme shock—Vietnam wasn’t supposed to be that risky of a place to serve. This trauma underscores the apparent danger of Vietnam (contrary to popular belief) and emphasizes the risk Frankie has undertaken by volunteering for service. The loss of her brother and her parents’ disappointment combine to make Frankie regret her decision, especially since this war doesn’t seem to be as glorious and idealistic as it’s been portrayed in the media.
Themes
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