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Chapter 1
Themes
and Colors
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
For the next six months, Frankie writes to Finley. She graduates early from her nursing program, lands a night shift at a San Diego hospital, and dreams of having her own apartment. One night at the hospital, Frankie does her rounds, frustrated that the night charge nurse won’t give her more responsibility. In room 107, she encounters a young soldier with one leg. Bitterly, he tells her he lost the other to a landmine in Vietnam. Soon, he’ll be transferred to a psychiatric ward for trying to kill himself. The man credits a woman nurse at the Twelfth Evac Hospital for getting him through his initial recovery. Now, he asks Frankie to stay until he falls asleep. She obliges.
The consistency of Frankie’s and Finley’s correspondence speaks to their strong bond as siblings. Frankie’s work annoyances reveal that she thinks she’s more capable than people give her credit for and longs to prove herself. The soldier’s injuries and extreme depression suggest that the war is not as victorious as many Americans believe. The realization that nurses—and in particular, women—serve in Vietnam opens a door for Frankie to escape her current dissatisfaction and pursue heroic service of her own.
Active
Themes
Frankie thinks of Finley’s letters, which portray Vietnam as idyllic and claim the war will end soon. The soldier’s story suggests otherwise. Frankie was unaware there were nurses in Vietnam. She considers joining the Navy to be near Finley and make Mom and Dad proud. Frankie makes her decision quickly. A week later, Frankie visits the Navy recruitment office without telling anyone. Protesters outside urge her not to go in. Frankie thinks they are misguided. The recruiter sends her away—she needs two years of service stateside before she can go to Vietnam. Frankie visits other recruitment offices before the Army accepts her. She will ship out after Basic Training. Frankie signs her name and becomes Second Lieutenant Frances McGrath.
