Tim O Brien's The Things They Carried
The Things They Carried” is a short story written by Tim O'Brien in 1990. This story is about several young American soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War. The main focus of O'Brien's story was the burdens that the soldiers each carried individually. The soldiers did not just carry tangible burdens like weapons, gear, and other essentials. The greatest burdens the platoon had to carry throughout the war, were the ones that they struggled with internally. Not only were these burdens heavy, but they could ultimately cost the soldiers their lives.
“The Things They Carried” was written through the eyes of the main character, First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross. Throughout the duration of this short story, Lieutenant Cross is battling with himself internally.
Lieutenant Cross is distracted by the thought of loving Martha, a girl back home. Even though he knows Martha does not love him, Lieutenant Cross clings to her photos and letters like a life line. In the beginning of the story it seems his obsession with Martha and their future he has fabricated, is the only thing giving him reason to push through and persevere.
Lieutenant Cross allowed himself to continually get distracted by the thought of Martha. However, it was not until his platoon was in Than Khe that he realized how detrimental his obsession was. It is not until the end of the short story that O'Brien shares with his readers what happened to a member of Lieutenant Cross's platoon. “Ted Lavender was shot in the head on his way back from peeing”. (O'Brien 25) . Lieutenant Cross blames himself for the loss of Ted Lavender, and has to carry that weight for the remainder of the war.
“The Things They Carried” was written through the eyes of the main character, First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross. Throughout the duration of this short story, Lieutenant Cross is battling with himself internally.
Lieutenant Cross is distracted by the thought of loving Martha, a girl back home. Even though he knows Martha does not love him, Lieutenant Cross clings to her photos and letters like a life line. In the beginning of the story it seems his obsession with Martha and their future he has fabricated, is the only thing giving him reason to push through and persevere.
Lieutenant Cross allowed himself to continually get distracted by the thought of Martha. However, it was not until his platoon was in Than Khe that he realized how detrimental his obsession was. It is not until the end of the short story that O'Brien shares with his readers what happened to a member of Lieutenant Cross's platoon. “Ted Lavender was shot in the head on his way back from peeing”. (O'Brien 25) . Lieutenant Cross blames himself for the loss of Ted Lavender, and has to carry that weight for the remainder of the war.