Vietnam War In The Things They Carried By Tim O Brien

In “Tim O'Brien's novel,” The Things They Carried, each soldier carries something different that makes them feel safe/something memorable, that helps them get through their time away from home. Whether it be stockings,dental floss,a picture, or even tranquilizers. Henry Dobbins for example carries Stockings/Pantyhose.

“They carried were largely determined by necessity. Among the necessities or near-necessities were P-38 can openers, pocket knives…carried rations…carried a toothbrush.”(2)

In the novel, The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien, the author describes a platoon marching through Vietnam at the time of the Vietnamese War. He does so by describing in detail the items that each of the men carry with them during their march. The things that the soldiers carry with them are not only tangible but intangible items as well, and what these things are depend fully upon each individual soldier. They carry Military Payment Certificates, the basic "necessities" for survival along with the bare minimum to make life as livable as possible during the time of war. The men decided on the items they wished to carry with them depending completely on their habits and rate of metabolism. However, they also carry emotions, such as love and fear, memories, and grief. It is intangible items like these that

The soldiers in Tim O’Brien’s novel, The Things They Carried, were no different than any other soldiers in any other war. They carried rifles, comforters, and pictures of loved ones with them throughout the war. However, most soldiers carried emotional and mental burdens around with them too. Some of these soldiers include Lt. Jimmy Cross, Norman Bowker, and Rat Kiley. Other soldiers in the book also carried around mental and emotional burdens, but these men in particular, stuck out to me.

For the average reader of “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, it is hard to understand why the author chose the title he chose. Even though the first chapter is literally about what the soldiers carried, the rest of the book seems like just a collection of stories. From how war changes people to blame and to killing people, the books seemingly discusses everything but what the men in Vietnam carried. But at a closer glance, Tim O’Brien actually is writing about what the soldiers carried. The physical pain they experience day in and day out. The psychological burden that comes from wanting to blame someone for all the madness that is war and not having anyone to blame is one of the heaviest things the soldiers have to carry and think

Everyone goes through struggles in their life. Whether it’s being a part of a dysfunctional family or witnessing the terrors of war, people all live through a time in their life when they find themselves surrounded by unpleasant circumstances. In The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien shares the stories of soldiers in the Vietnam War and the mountains they faced. No matter what war someone fought in, or what kind of soldier they were, everyone carried something. The idea of “carrying baggage” is a way to show each soldier’s internal problems and real-life giants. The Things They Carried shows an overall theme of soldiers carrying physical and emotional baggage through the war.

The emotion in the The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien emulate the literal and physical things the soldiers take with them. The tranquilizers, pantyhose, and water buffalo symbolize the anxiety, longing, and sometimes rage felt during the war, and reflect how traumatizing the experience is.

In the book The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien uses the title to suggest the soldiers not only carry equipment for war but the guilt that weighs them down. Through the book the soldiers and families deal with and encounter life changing decisions and events. The Things They Carry is rather obvious as they are in war and need supplies, but the author means for it to be more than the literal meaning. While at war the soldiers had to make decisions and with the outcomes came guilt, emotion, regret, shame, and anger All of the feelings are outcomes of the war and goes to show how much war can change someone.

Have you ever been in such a stressful situation while trying to think normal? In “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, the author describes the situations these troops are put through. Along with the situations, the author tells the audience the thoughts and feelings going on with the men. Showing that the men are affected by the situations they are exposed to.

"The Things They Carried" is a short story collection which was written by Tim O’Brien. The story is about American soldiers who were fighting in the Vietnam War and the experiences they encountered on the battlefield. The novel carries main themes such as struggle, sacrifice, self pity, and also interpersonal battles that not only affected, but also tested the patience of the soldiers at war. Tim O'Brien has brought up these events in his style of writing in a language that is so descriptive, it makes the reader feel as though he or she was there. The active theme of physical and emotional burdens is a main idea that resonates throughout the story.

The Things They Carried is a harrowing story about the trials and tribulations of the Vietnam War by author and veteran Tim O’Brien. However, the qualities of the characters and the tangible/intangible things they carry with them are applicable to anybody who has witnessed the tragedies of war for themselves. O’Brien shows us the things these soldiers carry - and what they mean to them - through details, repetition, and a blunt tone.

The book The Things They Carried was a book about a platoon of American Soldiers in the Vietnam War. Tim O'Brien wrote the book as the Author. Published on March 28 1990, with 233 pages. In the book the men had set up camp, which later found out to be a sink hole. The moltar started coming off the camp. Kiowa was caught in with the tragedy. Bowker tried to save Kiowa, but was unsuccessful to save his own life.

The story “The Things They Carried” was written by Tim O’Brien, and it talks about soldiers in the Vietnam War and the things that they carried both physically and mentally. I really enjoyed this story because it was not that hard to relate to and it shows how hard war is on a man. It follows the transition of a man from loving and hopeful to hard. War changes a man forever and it is visible in this story and real life.

The soldiers in the book “The Things They Carried” did not just carried weapons and protections. Theses soldiers carried heat tabs, lighters, candy,

In the book The Things They Carried, written by Tim O’Brien, all of the characters are American soldiers in the Vietnam War. Each day, the soldiers are faced with traumatic situations, like the death of a fellow soldier. O’Brien repeats phrases/events to showcase the PTSD that all of the soldiers, including Jimmy Cross, obtain. The audience begins to see the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder the characters face, when the narrator continues to bring up the death of Ted Lavender, an American soldier. The narrator says, “But Ted Lavender [...] was shot and killed.” Lavender, a soldier of Lietenant Jimmy Cross, was shot and killed under Cross’ watch. Since Lavender was killed under the watch of Cross, the audience can assume how guilty Cross already