Objects written into stories

A detailed Summary of Objects written into stories


Often times, there is much more to a story line than characters, narration, and dialogue. Physical objects many times plays an important part in the plot of the story. Significant objects in stories can be very simple objects, but have a nonliteral meaning that is important to the plot. "The Things They Carried," by Tim O'Brien is an example of a story in which objects significantly enhances the characterization of all of the characters. This story takes place in Vietnam during the Vietnam war, in approximately 1968. This war setting is appropriate for its publication date in 1990, the first year of Desert Storm. Tim O'Brien's, "The Things They Carried" uses objects to make statements about character traits, to contrast the non-literal 'objects' that the men carried and they also make Jimmy Cross a changing character.

O'Brien uses objects to make indirect statements about the characters of the story, by listing the things that they carried. The reader does not get a vivid picture of the character, but rather a hint of his personalities and interests. In paragraph two, O'Brien lists briefly what each of his men had in his possession (Roberts and Jacobs 61). By saying that Dave Jensen carried a toothbrush, soap, and denta


With all that being said, it is very apparent that Tim O'Brien uses objects to bring out the overall plot and the thematic ideas in "The Things They Carry." If we could put a numerical mass on the "unweighed fear" and the burdens that were placed, the number would be enormous. I enjoyed the story because it brought a personal view on war, something that I will not hear on the news or talk radio. At the time that this was written, it was the beginning of the Gulf War, which may have brought back memories for O'Brien. That is one reason that may have inspired him to write this story. Jimmy Cross changed considerably by the end of the story. This goes to show that war can not only bring out the bad in people, but it can also bring out the good.

Cross is the only character that seem to be bothered by Lavender's death. The other men laughed and cracked jokes about it, saying "zapped while zipping," and how it was a "mind blower," and the repetition of "Boom. Down (69)." These men were not affected emotionally by the death of Lavender. The figurative objects mentioned previously is what makes Jimmy Cross a round character, and the fact that it does not phase the other characters is what makes them flat characters. Cross felt bad afterwards and he decided to burn the letters that Mar

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 875
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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