Tim O’Brien’s Things They Carried Coping Mecha Essay Example

this tangible memento provided Cross with a small reprieve from the burdens of war.The letters and pebble continued to serve as physical connections to the life Jimmy Cross hoped to return to and provided him with strength and support during the war. Despite the emotional and physical burdens he faced as a unit commander, he viewed these items as essential reminders of his purpose in fighting. Just like ammunition, food, and clothing, they were necessary for his well-being. Other members of Alpha Company also relied on personal effects to maintain a connection to something outside the war and find comfort. Dobbins carried his girlfriend's pantyhose around his neck, while Kiowa always had his father's Bible by his side. These personal belongings were crucial for their sanity in a war where carrying unnecessary items was not feasible. Ted Lavender, for instance, carried tranquilizers and drugs as necessities for him. Mark Fossie even went so far as to fly in his girlfriend to alleviate his loneliness, highlighting the importance of remaining connected to their old lives.Throughout the war, each soldier encountered insurmountable barriers that made it necessary for them to find personal methods of coping. These coping mechanisms were crucial for the soldiers to remain human and find reasons to return home. However, sometimes obstacles would arise and force the soldiers to find alternative ways of dealing with reality. One common source of additional stress occurred after a soldier took someone's life, resulting in overwhelming guilt. In The Things they Carried, there is a specific story that highlights this type of death. The author, O'Brien, provides detailed descriptions of the man he killed, as if attempting to

purge the event from his mind. Despite claiming that he did not view this as therapy, O'Brien acknowledges the importance of time and open ears as coping mechanisms. After the death, Tim is supported by his comrades who urge him to talk, recognizing that this is crucial for his survival and healing process.In dealing with the inescapable event of death, individuals like Tim often find solace in talking to someone who understands their grief, as it is the only mechanism available to them at this time. This helps them relieve the stress they feel and carry on with their responsibilities as soldiers. The men of Alpha Company, who regularly face death and destruction, often resort to either violence or laughter to cope with this harsh reality. When encountering a deceased person, it becomes a ritual for them to shake hands, talk, and crack jokes, in an attempt to make the death seem less real. Similarly, when faced with a distressed girl dancing in a broken village, many men choose to mock her dance as a means of escaping the pain and uncertainty. However, after experiencing a death that hits closer to home, these men react violently as a way of expressing their pain and seeking empathy from others. For example, after the death of Curt Lemon, they spend hours shooting at a baby buffalo, not to kill but to hurt, needing someone else to feel their pain. Another instance of this violence occurs after the death of Lavender when Cross's men unleash their stress by shooting, burning, and vandalizing the village of Than Khe while still fulfilling their duty.Although the use of violence is not

a positive choice, it is necessary for these men in order to move on with their lives and continue their work in the war. Each soldier needed personal effects and a sense of camaraderie to cope with the war's stress. Alone in the Vietnamese jungle, if these men couldn't help themselves, they wouldn't receive help. If they encountered struggle, each man had his own way to reconnect with the real world. If a tragedy affected the entire company, they also found a collective way to cope with the pressure. During the war, men's priorities shifted greatly towards emotional connections beyond the war, and these connections helped them survive and return home. Coping with the stress and burden of war is difficult for anyone, but in The Things they Carried, O'Brien portrays men dealing as best as they can using their primal resources. They learn how to cope with the bare necessities of life and make the most of every opportunity to find relief and joy.