The Effets of War in Tim O’brian’s “the Things They Carry” Essay Example
The Effets of War in Tim O’brian’s “the Things They Carry” Essay Example

The Effets of War in Tim O’brian’s “the Things They Carry” Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (515 words)
  • Published: April 4, 2018
  • Type: Film Analysis
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The text explains the impact of war on American soldiers in Vietnam through Tim O’Brian’s “The Things They Carry”. The soldiers came to Vietnam without any purpose except to avoid dishonor and end up killing soldiers and innocent civilians, mutilating bodies and burning villages. They try to justify their actions as moral and believe they had no other choice. Carrying their weapons and supplies, they suppress their emotions. They deal with endless marching from village to village. They witness death everywhere but keep carrying their burdens and fears. Depending on their rank and specialty, they carry different items weighing between 15-20 pounds.The soldiers in the war carry various equipment, including items for dangerous nighttime missions. However, the weight of their memories is heavier than their supplies. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries let

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ters from his friend Martha, who he is in love with, even though she only sees him as a friend. He also carries her photographs and a pebble she sent him, which he keeps in his mouth. Other soldiers carry talismans such as a rabbit foot, a tomb cut from a fallen Vietnamese boy's corpse, The New Testament, and their grandparents' hunting hatchets. Some carry more practical items like soap bars, toothbrushes, dental floss, comic books, vitamins, M&M candy, and even their girlfriend's pantyhose. They sometimes take turns carrying heavy items like the radio. One soldier, Ted Lavender, carries tranquilizers and extra ammunition in his fear of death. However, the ammunition fails to save him when he is shot in the head while Lieutenant Cross dreams of Martha on the Jersey shore. The Lieutenant feels responsible for Lavender's death as he was distracted by his

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thoughts of Martha instead of being attentive to his duties and soldiers.After Lavender's death outside Than Khe, the soldiers burned the village. The next morning, Lieutenant Cross burned Martha's letters and photos and decided to let go of his daydreams but would keep the pebble for now. He chooses to remember Martha as a part of a separate world and plans to distance himself from his soldiers and take full responsibility for Lavender's death. He aims for strict discipline among his troops, preventing them from discarding their equipment during marches. The soldiers carry with them a heavy burden of guilt, haunted by the ghosts of their fallen comrades and those they've killed. While some soldiers become emotionally numb, others are relieved to be alive amidst the tragedy. The soldiers share stories of those who shot themselves to avoid going to war or leaving Vietnam.Although the soldiers appear to despise the locals, in reality, they yearn to trade places with them and escape from the jungle and warfare. They fantasize about flying away from their current circumstance, as depicted in the passage "They were flying. The weights fell off; there was nothing to bear" (399). However, only a few can actually leave as many wounded and deceased soldiers are carried on flights back home. The rest must remain in Vietnam until the war concludes before they can depart.

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