Ted Lavender Character Analysis Essay

The writer pointed out that the militias brought along with them items that are equally tangible and intangible, an example is that, Lieutenant Jimmy’s photograph of and emotions for Martha. The other gentlemen’s of the unit are introduced through explanations of the things they brought with them, as illustion, Henry Dobbins, who brings extra food, Ted Lavender who carries items such as tranquilizer pills, and Kiowa who brings a hunting hatchet. The author presents readers to the novel's main characters by explaining the items that the soldiers bring with them. The amount of detail the writer offers about the characters is expanded upon and illuminated in the chapters that follow, though O'Brien distills the essence of each character’s personality through the symbolic items each carries.
Dave Jensen has soap, dental floss, foot powder, and vitamins. Mitchell Sanders has condoms, brass knuckles, and the unit's radio. Norman Bowker brings a diary. Kiowa carries a volume of the New Testament and moccasins. Rat Kiley brings his medical kit, brandy, comic books, and M&M's candy. In my opinion, the speaker offers additional detail about selected items; for instance, the poncho Ted Lavender carries will later be used by his fellow militaries to carry his dead body. Also, author details at great length what all the men carry: standard gear, weapons, tear gas, explosives, ammunitions, entrenching tools, starlight scopes, grenades, flak jackets, boots, rations, and the Army newsletter. They also carry their grief, terror, love, and longing, with poise and dignity. The writer extended catalog of items creates a picture in the reader's mind that grows incrementally. Lastly, I think O'Brien's technique also allows each character to be presented with a history and an exclusive place within the collection of