Question

Compare and contrast Herr’s and Caputo’s texts to respond to this question: How do Herr and Caputo combine observations and literary devices to tell a story? Use specific examples from both readings in your response.

Answer 1

Herr was a war correspondent who is famous for "Dispatches" - a Vietnam war memoir. Philip Caputo wrote a book "A Rumor of War", also about Vietnam war. Both became very important "documents" of the war, even a dispute arised on the discussion of best book written for the Vietnam war. The crucial difference is that Herr's book is consisted of pure personal experience, while some parts of Caputo's book contain fiction.

Answer 2

Herr's "Dispatches" and Caputo's "A Rumor of War" both narrate the Vietnam War in different perspectives but both use imagery to describe the war. Herr was a war correspondent while Caputo was a soldier. They use their observations to tell the story.