Lieutenant Jimmy Cross In The Things They Carried By Tim O Brien

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Imagine being in the middle of a jungle, watching men drop on every side. Five minutes ago you were home opening a letter when your life changed forever. Youve been drafted. Drafted to fight in a war with no purpose. In the novel The Things They Carried this was a reality for Tim O’Brien. He was just eighteen when his draft notice arrived on June 17th, 1968 calling him to serve in the war of wars. Alongside him was his platoon, Ted lavender, Rat Kiely, Mitchell Sanders, Kiowa, and Azar all led by Lieutenant Cross. Together they humped their way through Vietnam. O'brien starts by describing the things they carried and their purposes as well as each of the men he exists among. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross leads is the platoon's leader. Lieutenant Cross is a weak leader focused more on operation procedures than adapting to his surroundings and guiding his men with confidence. Ted Lavender a young soldier unfit for the horrors of war as well as the first to die at the hands of the Vietcong. Rat Kiely, the platoon's honorary medic who later is consumed by the war and resorts to shooting off his own foot to escape it. Mitchell Sanders is seemingly the most respectable of the platoon, with a kind heart and a sense of great devotion to this war. O’Briens closest friend Kiowa is mentioned quite moderately …show more content…

Imagery is the use of language and description that appeals to the readers five senses, sight, scent, touch, taste and hearing.
The author uses imagery to describe the man who saved him. In the chapter, ‘On the Rainy River’ the narrator O’Brien receives his draft letter and is forced to face the terrifying reality that his world as he knows it is about to be changed forever. When the letter was first obtained this letter he needed to clear his head, O’Brien finds himself at an old fishing resort called the Tip Top Lodge, O’brien describes it to be in “sorry shape” and “crippled.” During his stay at the

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