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PTSD In The Things They Carried

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The Things They Carried Essay
There were 8.7 million Americans that fought in the Vietnam war; out of the 8.7 million Americans, 7 out of 100 veterans have PTSD. Each soldier has their own unique problems and situations, which has an effect on their mind during the war. The thought of fear swarmed each one of the soldiers' minds. The book The Things They Carried written by Vietnam Veteran Tim O’brien speaks on the responses and trauma Jimmy Cross, Rat Kiley, and Tim O’Brien had from the circumstances of the war. Tim O’Brien informs the readers’ stories that expose the reality of the war and the fear of soldiers. Tim O’Brien along with many other soldiers covered up their fear and embarrassment in order to not see the truth of war. Jimmy Cross …show more content…

He was embarrassed about being shamed by the people he knew for going against his morals. Tim O’Brien knew he wasn't just carrying the faith and hope of others to fight in the war, but he was also carrying his intrusive thoughts and discomfort. The soldiers didn't just carry their bag of weapons, but “they carried all they could bear, and then some, including a silent awe for the terrible power of the things they carried” (O'Brien 3). Digging deeper into the book's literal and figurative language, It tells us clearly what the soldiers carried weapons but even everyone’s problems, including Tim O'brien. O'brien carried the bundle of burdens that included the physical and emotional view of grief, love, and dread. The heavy physical and emotional loads Tim O’Brien carried were composed of grief, terror, and love. Coming home from the war Tim O’Brien didn't have much for himself. O'Brien came back from war with a different perspective; he realized what he was fighting for the whole time…the American dream. Tim O’Brien didn't have anyone to speak with but himself, he began to vision conversations with the people he once knew. O’Brien noticed everyone moved on in life without him. Tim O'Brien claims the people “ did now know shit about shit, and did not care to know” (O’Brien 27). Returning from war O’Brien can now comment that nobody knows what he went through, how he went against his morals to now feeling forgotten in the present day. Tim O’Brien’s fear of being ashamed of the people he surrounded himself with is now taking place. All the Life changing commitments O’brien made to go to war, are the embarrassment and sorrow he still carries with

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