Significance of the title in
In Tim O'Brien's short story "The Things They Carried," we are drawn into the world of the common soldier during the Vietnam War. As the title implies, these men carried with them many things while performing their duties. These things ranged from standard gear that was carried by all of the men, to equipment that was specific to each individual soldier. Each person also carried particular items that were considered special to the individual possessing it. Perhaps the most difficult thing to carry was the intense emotional burdens that weighed down upon everyone during such trying times. Now let us explore more closely the things that these men had to carry.Each character was obligated to carry a variety of weapons and gear during their tour in Vietnam. Some of these standard items were "P-38 can openers, pocket knives, heat tabs, wrist watches, dog tags, mosquito repellant, chewing gum, candy, cigarettes, salt tablets, packets of Kool-Aid, lighters, matches, sewing kits, Military Payment Certificates, C rations, and two or three canteens of water" (O'Brien 387). All of these items put together could weigh between fifteen and twenty pounds, depending on the individual. Also included in each mans inventory were steel helm
Perhaps the most significant thing that these soldiers had to carry with them was their own emotional burdens. Each man had to deal with such things as heat, weather, fatigue, fear, pain, and sleep depravation. All of these factors compound into an intense amount of stress on the mind. "These emotional burdens are the heaviest because they are intangibles and therefore cannot be disposed of" (Voegele 1). Jimmy Cross speaks specifically on the fear of cowardice stating that "They carried the common secret of cowardice barely restrained, the instinct to run or freeze or hide, and in many respects this was the heaviest burden of all, for it could never be put down" (O'Brien 396). Jimmy Cross specifically carried with him the love of Martha. He blames this love for Ted Lavender's death, claiming that he loved Martha more than his men, in turn forcing him to carry the guilt of his soldier's death as well. On top of this, Lieutenant Cross also had to carry with him the responsibility of leading his troops, which he dedicated to more firmly in the end of the story. With all of these cases, we can see the deeper meaning behind "The Things They Carried." receives a small pebble that Martha sent to him as a good luck charm. Obviously First Lieutenant Cross is very fond of Martha, so these things are important for him to carry. an illustrated New Testament that had been presented to him by his fat
Some common words found in the essay are:
Payment Certificates, Vietnam War, Lieutenant Cross, Henry Dobbins, Jimmy Cross, American Indian, Rat Kiley, Ted Lavender, Ted Lavender's, Mitchell Sanders, jimmy cross, emotional burdens, carried equipment, soldiers carry, lieutenant cross, trying times, twenty pounds,
Approximate Word count = 950
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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