Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. From August 1990 to February 1991, the Gulf War played out in two key phases: Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. What comes to mind when you think of the Gulf War? Where did it take place? Who was involved, and what were the underlying causes?

Teaching Suggestion: The Gulf War is the backdrop to Williams’s story in Spare Parts. After students share basic facts about the war, consider concluding the discussion by reviewing its lasting effects. This could include a discussion of its influence on President George Bush’s legacy or its effect on the Middle Eastern economy.

• This article from the Office of the Historian contains the US Government’s official description of what happened during the Gulf War, situated in the context of the end of the Cold War (1981-1992).
• This article from Military.com lists six key facts about Operation Desert Storm.

2. The Latin phrase Semper Fidelis, meaning “Always Faithful,” is the official motto of the United States Marine Corps.