Tim O Brien's The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried

Accounts of real life events can often be boring and plainly factual. However, when a writer like Tim O’Brien gives perspective on his experiences, he choses a unique view to write from. “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien shows us the emotional and physical sides of war through short stories describing what men carried with them throughout the war.

Tim O’Brien was born on October 1, 1946. He spent his early years raised in Austin, Minnesota. As a young boy he really looked up to his father who wrote for the local newspaper (“O’Brien”). He was heavily inspired by his father, who influenced him to consider a career in writing. As he began to write he used his experiences and surroundings

The theme was Storytelling vs. Truth. O’brien used the truth and all the emotional and physical sides while keeping the story in the point of view of a soldiers perspective. The short story “The Things They Carried” is based on the war in Vietnam. It shows O’Briens (author) experiences that he had during the war. The short story is told in third person describing emotion and revealing actions of Jimmy Cross. Lieutenant Cross is in command of an active combat duty in Vietnam. While cross is in Vietnam he begins to be carried away and occupied by the thoughts of Martha. Martha is a young women who he was dating before he joined the army. These thoughts of Martha stick with Cross throughout the story. Cross later notices in the story that everyone one of his fellow soldiers all carry baggage with them both tangible and intangible.” In his wallet, Lt. Cross carried two photographs of Martha” (O’Brien 4). Such as Lt. Cross carrying pictures and feelings of Martha. All of the men carried at least something with them.”They had mosquito repellent, marijuana, pocket knives, chewing gum, tranquilizers, the New Testament, a compress in case of fatal injuries, a two-pound poncho that can be used as a raincoat, groundsheet, or tent, a standard M-16 assault rifle and several magazines of ammunition, grenade launchers, compasses, and morphine.” These

The items that the soldiers take with them to into war to give the reader an understanding of what the soldiers are actually feeling and thinking. Each man had one or several items that they carried with them into the war. Critic This gave the men a feeling as if they were home which symbolized comfort. These items that they carried with them during the war, gave them a hope of one day to return back to their homes. “From carrying a bible, a comic book, ammunition, the bible, photographs, and many other little material things, these belongings helped the men push on during the war and acted as their own little comfort zone”. These items that they carry not only give us an insight of their emotions and memories from there home, but also symbolize the characteristics and personalities of the