1. Look up the history of the battles between the American and Japanese armies that took place on the Philippine Islands. Were any similar to the ones that took place in the novel? Research this battle and describe it to your classmates.

2. The essay included in this entry refers to Stephen Crane's "The Open Boat." Read the story and compare it to the novel. Describe the naturalistic style of both. Are the themes of these works similar or different?

3. Pick a character in the novel and create a timeline of the character's life from the information in the novel. What impact did this character's past have on his behavior during the novel? How has your past influenced the person you are today?

4. Investigate the psychological and/or sociological nature of power. What causes the desire for power? What are its effects on its perpetrator and victims? Do...