What can you tell about the men based on what they carry?
Are the literal things they carry symbolic of something figurative they carry?
What do they things show us about what they men value, desire, fear, etc.?
What are some of the more interesting items?
What is the best thing that someone carries? The worst? The strangest?
Which "things" were unexpected? What would you carry if you went to war?
In the title story, the things that soldiers carried can go as little as the actual things to the burdens and feeling the object have. Jimmy Cross carried letters and pictures of the girl he loved. From how Jimmy Cross act and feel about the pictures, shows that he is just a young man that is in love and can't control his feelings. Ted Lavender carried premium dope and tranquilizer. From all the drugs that Ted Lavender carried to help mellow his mind, shows that he is just a young man that are scared to go to war. Kiowa carried his father's illustration of New Testament, grandmother's distrust of white man, and his grandfather's old hunting hatchet. All the things that Kiowa carried from his family members, shows that how he is just a young man that have a family at home that cares about him. All of the young men carried something that gives them hope to stay alive during the endless war.
ReplyDeleteThey carried all kinds of thing, and what I think is the and strongest thing to carry is the photograph. Photograph are the distraction in place of drug, and the substitute that the young men use to spill their feelings. It gives the young men something to look forward and the courage to stay alive. The photograph gives the soldiers the strength. The strangest thing are carried by Michel Sander, who carried condoms. I'm sure that there are no girls in the army that would put the condoms to use. What I think are the most useful thing to carry are the weapons that would keep the soldiers alive. Through out the chapter there are multiple numbers to indicate how much weapon and weights that are necessary for the soldiers to carry for their safety.
ReplyDeleteThe title of the novel “The Things They Carried” means both the physical things and the impalpable things, like emotions, that young men carried as the role of an American soldier fighting in the Vietnam War. O’Brien begins the novel by stating the items necessary to do their jobs and survival, such as their weapons, food, and water, but as he starts to introduce the individual soldiers, the readers see that they carry personal items as well. Each personal item underscores each soldier’s emotional burden. For example, Ted Lavender carried tranquilizers to help obtain his fear of the war, and Kiowa carried the Bible and his grandfather’s hatchet to feel part of his family with him. Not to mention Lieutenant Jimmy Cross who carried photographs and letters of Martha because he loved her and they distracted him from his responsibility to lead his men through the gruesome war. All the men carried something that would give them hope in order to stay alive to see their homeland again.
As the stories in the novel continued, the readers are able to see the intangible things the young men carried. Those who survived carried guilt and grief from their war experiences, for example, Norman Bowker. Bowker feels grief and confusion when he returns to America after the war. He does not know what to do with himself because life is way different from what it was like during the war. He feels grief and guilt because he believes it was his fault that he allowed Kiowa to die in the swampy field all those years ago. He eventually takes his own life in response to his collective past. Even O’Brien himself carried psychological burdens when he killed a man.
Out of the things that the men carried, I think that the strongest thing to carry is a photograph because it is a source of motivation and strength. A photograph will never change what it is and is unique. It gives the men something to look forward to as they fight the war. I think the strangest thing that was carried in the novel was Henry Dobbins ex-girlfriend’s pantyhose because he would put the, around his neck to make him “invincible”. If I was to carry something in the war other than weapons I would carry a notebook, so that I could write down any of my thoughts. Just like O’Brien wrote this novel of his war experiences to express his emotions, I would too write my emotions on paper.
Many of the things carried by the soldiers in “The Things They Carried” seemed strange and unusual to carry into war, however, everything they brought along had a purpose and a strong meaning behind it. Many people brought along things that seem obviously useful for the setting they were in such as tranquillizers, ammunition, extra food, medical supplies, clothing, and other such necessities. Other items brought along were a bit more obscure at first glance. For example, the team medic, Rat Kiley, brought comic books and M&M’s. Both of these things, while small and seemingly random, tell a lot about who he is as a person. The comic books hinted at something proven by later actions in the novel- Rat Kiley was far from the most serious person there. The comic books imply whimsey and childishness that only seemed natural for a soldier to lack. Him carrying comic books was surprising because soldiers are often represented in the media as being very straight-laced, serious people who wouldn’t have time for such frivolous past-times. Rat Kiley bringing along the comic books shows that he does not fit this stereotype. It shows that he has other things on his mind aside from the war at hand- likely things far less serious. The M&M’s that he carries also hold a surprising amount of importance. Rat Kiley brought along the M&M’s specifically for terrible wounds. This shows that Rat Kiley is a very caring person. He worries about others and not only wants them to feel okay physically but emotionally. M&M’s, as well as other forms of chocolate, are seen as “comfort foods”. The fact that Rat Kiley is carrying around comforting foods for other people when in times of great physical and emotional distress shows that he does, in fact, care for them. He does not want his fellow soldiers to suffer and, although it is a small gesture, Rat Kiley wants to be able to help his friends beyond simply their physical ailments.
ReplyDeleteIn the story “The Things They Carried,” the phrase means both the physical and non-physical things they brought with them to war. A lot can be told about a man based on the things they carry, such as what they value and what they are afraid of. Many carried something to remind them of a family member or partner. A lot of the things that were brought were also useful in the war, such as weapons, medical supplies, and extra food rations. The physical things they carried were generally symbolic of other emotional baggage. For example, Jimmy Cross brought photographs of a woman he would never be able to have. Ted Lavender brought tranquilizers to minimize his fear. Kiowa carries a hatchet and Bible to feel closer to God and his family.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carried also helped to show who they were as a person. Rat Kiley brought M&Ms for the purpose of providing minor comfort to people with bad wounds. The tranquilizers showed that Ted was fearful. Not only were there physical things, but emotional and mental things to carry, such as the burden or grief and guilt. Commonly, after a bad accident, the people who make it out alive feel “survivor’s guilt.”
Personally, the best thing to carry would be a journal, like Norman Bowker. This is so the soldiers can write down how they feel and what is happening. This is also useful incase the person dies, so people will know their story and who they were. Some of the weirdest things were condoms, carried by Mitchell Sanders, and a girlfriend’s pantyhose, carried by Henry Dobbins around his neck. If I were to go to war, I would bring a journal and photographs. Having photos with you is a good way to be able to actually see something, and to bring back memories. They are sentimental and can help someone through tough times, or give them motivation to see that person again.
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ReplyDeleteThe things these men carry don't have to be physical objects. Things in their head or burdens are something they will always have, even during this long exhausting war. These intangible things can either affect them in a positive or negative way. This defines them as individuals because one person doesn't have the same fears or thinks the same as another man. Based on the things they carry, you can tell what some of these men care most about and want to protect them while in Vietnam. For example, Kiowa carried the New Testament because his father gave it to him. His family was extremely religious and he took pride in this. The pictures of each of the men carried showed who was most important to them and who they didn't want to forget while at war. Lieutenant Cross carried pictures of Martha and thinks about her and wonders what she is doing. Being away from Martha and thinking about her to this extant seems to be a negative effect of Cross because the thought of being away from her seems to be eating him alive. The things these men carry are a symbol of what they are feeling during this time away from home. For example, Henry Dobbins carried his girlfriend’s pantyhose around his neck for good luck. This is a symbol of loss because he doesn't have his significant other with him during this time.
ReplyDeleteI think the strangest things someone carried was by Mitchell Sanders, a human thumb. I think Cross carrying the pictures of Martha was the most normal thing. If I went to war, I would bring pictures of who I love. This would remind me of who I need to stay strong for and why I am fighting to stay alive in such hardships. I would also carry a journal so I could get all of my thoughts out. This journal would be interesting to look at in the future, after the war is over.
In the novel, The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien describes each character not by their physical characteristics or mannerisms, but by the trinkets and memories that each man carried. Every soldier in the novel had different items that they carried in order for the reader to individualise him and get a sense for his personality. For example, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries letters and pictures of a girl names Martha, whom he is in love with, but she does not love him back. From this, we can figure out that Jimmy Cross is a hopeless romantic and extremely lovesick. On the other side of the spectrum, Norman Bowker seems to only carry shame with him. We can see this from how he whispers about how he wishes his father did not care so much about medals. On a similar note, Ted Lavender carried immense fear with him and ultimately had to resort to also carrying tranquilizers to help numb the terror.
ReplyDeleteWhen O'Brien first describes the characters there are three clear soldiers that stick out to me based on what they carry. The first would be Rat Kiley, the medic, who of course carries his medical kit, which help individualize him from the start, but he also carries comic books which demonstrate how he still has a childish side to him. Rat Kiley also carried M&Ms for the really bad wounds, which means he gives chocolate to the dying and he truly has a heart of gold. The second character that really stood out to me was Azar. When Ted Lavender oddly adopts a puppy in a combat zone, which shows that Ted is a bit impractical, Azar decides to strap the puppy to a mine and blow it up, claiming he's just a boy having fun. This immediately makes me dislike the character and view him as a psychopath. The third character that immediately stood out to me was Mitchell Sanders, the RTO. The first time O'Brien introduces us to the character all we know is that he carries condoms. From that little information, all I could assume was Sanders was a possible ladies' man, or just extremely optimistic. Later, we learn that Sanders also carries truths and morals with him and needs every story to have a meaning, even if does not quite make sense. This shows that Sanders is highly intelligent and made him stick out to me more during the rest of the novel.
The men in this novel carried much more than their basic necessities. Each man typically carried something they valued to remind them of certain people or happy times. The things the men carried give the reader a glimpse of the soldier's morals or lifestyle. The things these men carry doesn't necessarily have to be a physical item. Norman Bowker carries an immense amount of guilt and shame and that in itself can tell us a lot about his character. Kiowa carried a Bible and that shows the reader that he values his morals and family. Ted Lavender carried tranquilizers and dope because of his immense fear of the war. All of the men carried something that they believed could help ease their minds. In my opinion, the best thing to carry is a photograph like the one Jimmy Cross carried. A photograph of a happy time, that is. It has been said many times before, a picture is worth a thousand words. The photograph would give me hope for the future and it would also be the best source of motivation to get me through the seemingly inescapable rough times.
ReplyDeleteIn The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, each character is depicted through both the objects they physically carry and the mental burdens of their past. Every character in O’Brien’s are written extremely in depth, and are composed of every emotion on the spectrum, ranging from love and grief to fear and loathing. Almost every object accompanying the men through the dense jungles of Vietnam holds a certain emotional aspect within itself. The most prominent examples of this sentiment can be seen through the characters of Jimmy Cross, Henry Dobbins, and Ted Lavender. Jimmy Cross carries the portrait of Martha, a girl who he expresses an unrequited love for, as well as numerous maps and other navigational tools. These objects demonstrate to the reader that Jimmy Cross is character filled with love and longing as well as deep responsibility for the lives of those around him. Henry Dobbins, similarly, exhibits a yearning for warmth and compassion through his object: his girlfriend’s pantyhose, which he wears proudly around his neck as a token of luck. And Ted Lavender, whose death was never forgotten by his commanding officer, Jimmy Cross, displayed to those around him as well as to the reader his extreme fearfulness and relentless despair and unease through his constant attachment to tranquilizers and need to smoke.
ReplyDeleteAlthough most of the objects the men carried into war alongside them carried an immense feeling of sadness and remorse, each thing had an importance to the one carrying them. I personally feel that the best object carried was Jimmy Cross’s picture of Martha, as it provides him with a sense of hope and memories from his past. On the other hand, the worst or rather strangest object carried would be the human thumb carried by Mitchell Sanders, as his personal form of good luck.
In the novel, The Things They Carried, we learn all about the men through the physical objects and the emotional weights they take along with them. Objects such as weapons could tell you a man's rank or where they are going, but other objects tell you about the real person they are.
ReplyDeleteJimmy Cross carries love. His love for Martha is an emotional burden that distracts him from the war, but it is also carried in physical objects. Photos, letters, and a pebble all were physical objects that carried his love for Martha.
Ted Lavender carries his fear. His fear of being a solider and the anxiety of not know what is coming next weigh as a heavy emotional weight for Lavender. The physical object that Ted's fear is carried in is his tranquilizers. The tranquilizers that he took to calm his nerves and get himself through the day were representative of his daily fears.
Kiowa carries his family and his faith. Family and God were two very important things to Kiowa and are with him as he travels. He carries a New Testament and hatchet, both from his grandfather. The gifts from family member help him to keep close to his family and keep his faith, even if he is not with his family.
You can learn a lot about a person by what weighs on their mind and what they carry with them. Personally, if I were to go off to war I know I would be carrying the love I have for my friends and family through important pictures and small trinkets such as an important bracelet and an important necklace. The things people carry show us who they are and what they value most.
In The Things They Carry by Tim O'Brien, the men each carry several different things that define their "characters". Such items told what position a man was in their Company, what life they lived prior to Vietnam, and even the emotional baggage they carried. Each item seems simple on the outside, but after further analysis, it is clear to see how an ordinary object could mean so much to an individual. Some people carry items that show who they are, but are not in depth as others such as Henry Dobbins being a large man with his extra rations and Dave Jensen being incredibly hygienic with his toiletries. The men carried the same supplies (tents, ammo, bug repellent, etc) as expected of soldiers in the Vietnam War. However, this also serves to represent their shared burden: the war.
ReplyDeleteOne man who really sticks out with the things he carries is Jimmy Cross, who carries letters and pictures from Martha, his love from college. Cross uses items to bring him comfort, creating fantasies in dark times. He carries this hope that when he returns home, Martha will be with him. The second man who stuck out to me was Ted Lavender, even though his time in the novel was very short. He carries tranquilizers and marijuana to cope with the stress of war. This represents that Lavender was too scared to face his fears, instead opting for an easier way to calm his nerves.
The quote, "Never judge a book by its cover" truly applies to these men and their belongings. Each one symbolizes something in their lives, no matter how strange or unexpected. The answer to what things were better or worse is somewhat impossible, since one thing may mean a lot to one person but mean nothing to another. It all depends on experience. You may not know the full story behind an item, so who am I to judge? Although, the human thumb as a good luck charm is definitely strange. Personally, it is difficult to image what I would take to war, or even go to war in the first place, as joining the military and becoming a soldier is something I am physically unable to do. However, something I know I would want to carry with me is a journal or notebook. I could write letters to my loved ones, jot down my thoughts and feelings, and even work on stories that pop into my head. With that, it will also help me carry my anxiety in being in a dire situation such as war.
When reading The Things They Carried, the reader is able to make the connection, right from the beginning, that all the men carry some of their personal belongings with them and those usually have a strong connection to the emotional burdens they carry. For example, in the beginning of the novel the reader is made aware that Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries letters from a girl named Martha that lives back home. Jimmy carries these letters from Martha because he is deeply in love her and the letters are as close as he can get to making himself believe that she loves him as well. This specific connection between the physical things men carry and the emotional burdens they carry shows the reader that Lieutenant Jimmy Cross desires to be loved by someone and the letters from Martha are all he has. Also, Jimmy most likely fears that he will never be loved especially if he isn't able to get out of the war, so he uses the letters from Martha and his emotions to fill that void. Lots of the men carried similar things to Jimmy Cross, but one thing that was quite unexpected was learning that Henry Dobbins carriers his girlfriends underwear and wears them around his neck. Henry Dobbins explains to the men that the underwear gives him good luck, but he also carries the underwear because it reminds him of his girlfriend and makes him feel close to her even when they are thousands of miles apart. Even when his girlfriend dumped him, Henry Dobbins continued to carry the underwear and wear them around his neck because he claimed they were still good luck. If I was to go to war I would carry pictures of my family and friends back home to remind myself of the ones who love me and are cheering me on. This would give me motivation and security in my hardest and darkest times.
ReplyDeleteThe men in the novel are defined by what they carry as it correlates to some type of memory or burden that weighs on them. Some simple items are kept by the soldiers which, without explanation, wouldn't really make much sense, however, once explained, all of the possessions have deep thought put into them. Each item reveals a little bit more about each character, for example, Lavender carrying drugs and narcotics around shows he's afraid and doesn't really want to be there to begin with. You can tell a lot about each character based on what they carry. For example, Kiowa and the bible shows he is deeply religious and is relying on his faith to protect him. Cross carrying around the pictures of Martha shows he's invested and in love with her, and wants to have a future with her, despite her lack of affection for him. Lavender carrying drugs shows he's afraid and doesn't want to be there, and it also shows he's losing his mind over the constant threat of death. In my opinion, the best thing that someone carried was Kiowa's old hunting hatchet. It showed he still believed in his cultural background enough to bring a relic from his ancestors with him. The worst is probably condoms in my opinion, (Sanders carried these) because I'm not sure what you plan on doing with them when your job is to destroy the enemy and not mingle with them. The strangest was the pantyhose and the superstitious belief that it would keep him safe (Dobbins), and I only say that because I'm not sure how that conversation goes down between Dobbins and his girl. I didn't expect condoms or pantyhose, and they still don't really make much sense to me even with the explanation. I would carry the cologne or perfume of somebody I cared about to motivate me to push through everything that happens.
ReplyDeleteDuring this story, O'Brien describes the men more by what they carry then who they are. For each of the men in the story there is an outer meaning to what each of them carry and there is also a deeper meaning to it. Kiowa carries a bible from his father and shows that he is very religious and cares about his family. Lavender takes drugs and tranquilizers to try to ease the nerves he has during the war. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries a picture of a girl named Martha to make him think of happier times and take him away from Vietnam for a little while. I believe that all of the personal items that the soldiers carry have a figurative meaning as well as a literal meaning. Henry Dobbins carries some of his wife's pantyhose because he desires to be with her once more. The most interesting and the worst item that is carried is a human thumb by Mitchell Sanders. It is interesting because it would hold a very interesting story but is the worst because it is kind of disgusting to carry another persons thumb around. The best I think was the hatchet and bible that Kiowa carried because they are from his family and show where he came from and what he believes. Something unexpected was the tranquilizers because Lavender should not even be fighting in the war at that point, he could contribute without actually fighting. If I were in a war I would bring pictures of loved ones and something special to me that would also help me in the war.
ReplyDeleteIn the story, the things the men carried were much more than the typical essentials you would think to bring to war. The things they carried were more personal items, unique, and they were personal to each man himself. The fact that Jimmy Cross carries letters and photos of Martha, shows that he truly cares about the people he loves. It shows that he will always remember her during war. If I was in war, I would bring the basic necessities of course, but also something that represents my life before the war. I would bring something that would involve my family, maybe a photo, or something with a memory attached to it.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, he starts it off by telling you what different people carried. With each thing they carried it told you about them as a person. For example, Ted Lavender carried around tranquilizers because he was terrified of the war. Kiowa carried around a copy of the New Testament showing that he is devoted to his baptist beliefs and it was given to him by his dad which shows you how important family is to him. Jimmy Cross carried around letters from Martha which shows how much he cares about her and how much he loves her even though the feelings are not reciprocated. In my opinion the best thing someone carried around was the letters that Jimmy Cross carried around because at any time he can pull one out and read it and remember all the memories and feel at home. The strangest things people carried around were the condoms by Sanders and the pebble the Jimmy Cross held in his mouth. I don't think you should or would need condoms during the war. You should be preparing for a more important event that could occur. As for the pebble I thought it was a little odd that he held the pebble in his mouth rather than keeping it in his pack. If I were to go into the war I would carry around pictures of my family so I could remember what I was fighting for.
ReplyDeleteTechnically speaking, the physical things the characters carry in the book The Things They Carried, helps the reader to make conclusions about the personality of each character and assists them in forming their own opinions of each character. For example, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross’s infatuation with Martha’s letters and photos gives the reader the idea that he’s a romantic, holding onto hope that he could have a cliche long-distance relationship with the girl he's been pining for since high-school. Another example is Kiowa and his New Testament Bible as well as his grandfather's hunting hatchet. His Bible and hatchet could cause the reader to assume that he is moral and sentimental, carrying unnecessary things that are important to him because of their meaning. The literal things they carry can give insight into their lives and characteristics. Jimmy Cross’s pebble and his unrequited love, Rat Kiley and his exaggerated storytelling possibly derived from his comic books, and Henry Dobbins and his insistence of wearing his girlfriend's pantyhose as good luck, even after his girlfriend broke up with him. If it were me, I would carry photos like most of the men, as well as a journal to recount my experiences and send it home to my family if something were to happen to me during the war, so that they could read it and feel as if they had a piece of me.
ReplyDeleteIn the story, these items the men carry each have a story, a reason as to why they would carry the extra weight even though its not a bare necessity. Based on what each man carries, you can tell what really mattered to them back at home. The things they carried symbolized something that is a part of them. When we hear that Jimmy Cross carried around a pebble from a girl back home that he was in love with even though they were not that close shows us that these men value normal things too. Some people think that these men just care about winning the war. I think that it was interesting and strange that Henry Dobbins carried his girlfriends tights even after she broke up with him. If I had to go into war, I would probably carry small keepsakes such as, photos with my family, a souvenir penny from fun vacation I took, or a letter from some of my friends. Most likely something small enough to fit in my pocket and not fall out.
ReplyDeleteIn the navel The Things They Carried, O'Brien describes the items carried by the men. Not only did they carry the necessities, they also carried personal items, each that symbolizes something personal to them and with their own story. What they brought showed what they really cared about at home. They brought items that reminded them of home and hoped that that would give them something to fight for. For example, Kiowa carries around the New Testament, which shows you his religious side and his love for God. Kiowa' father also gave it to him, so this helped remind him of his family. Jimmy Cross carries around letters and pictures of Martha, his love back home, yet Martha doesn't feel the same for him. Seeing those letters and pictures reminds Cross of the happier days in his life, and gives him hope that he can get through the war and back to the happy days. Ted Lavender carried around tranquilizer pills and drugs to show his fear of the war and death. This was his way of showing that he didn't want to be there. I think the best thing someone could carry is a picture of your family/loved ones, like Cross did. This would give someone a reason to fight and stay alive. I think the worst thing someone could carry around is condoms, like Mitchell Sanders brought. I don't know what someone would do with those. The weirdest thing someone brought is pantyhose, like Henry Dobbins brought. I think how it's weird to bring pantyhose and keep it around your neck, but if it keeps you alive and hoping, then that works too. The pebble that Cross carried around in his mouth instead of his bag was a little unexpected. If I went to war, I would carry around pictures of my family and letters written from them so I have something to remind me to keep fighting and that there are people waiting for me to come home.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel “The Things They Carried” O’Brien makes it clear that the objects that each soldier carries is very specific to them, and is very important to each soldier. The soldiers carry things of value to them, things that help them stay rooted and also represent their personalities. For example, Jimmy Cross carries a picture of Martha, his true love. Although Martha is Jimmy Cross’s true love he is not hers, but he wishes so dearly that he was. He keeps letters that Martha had written to him, to remind him of her. Another soldier Dave Jenson, carries along with him things like a toothbrush, dental floss, and several bars of soap, because he likes to stay hygienic. On the other hand, a soldier Henry Dobbins who is quite large likes to carry extra rations of food, to keep himself fed. Ted Lavender is a scared man, he is terrified of the war so he carries many tranquilizers. One of the strangest things that a soldier carries is Dobbins, who carries his girlfriend’s panty hoes around his neck, being a superstitious man he thinks that they will bring him good luck in the war. These are some of the items that the men carry, along with the necessities of war. However, if I were a soldier at war I would strictly carry what I needed along with maybe a few photos of my family, and loved ones. My reasoning behind this is to keep the load of what I need to carry light, and easy to move with.
ReplyDeleteThey things they carried define them as what is most important to them. Each thing they carry is very different from the next guy or something that a normal person would be carrying. You can tell what a person treasures or what/who they love. The things that these men carry symbolizes their emotions of a happier place at home before the war in a new and different environment. With jimmy, he carried a pebble and letter that reminded him for his love Martha. So all of those things would give him the emotion of love. An interesting one is with Dave jensen and how he carried with him a rabbits foot and Dr.scholls foot cream. Mitchel sanders has to be the stangest one to carry condoms and a human thumb. This just symbolized that he is still young minded. If I were to go to war I would carry my grandpas watch that has been past down the family to remind me of my blood line. I would also bring my dogs collar to remind me of friendship love while away
ReplyDeleteThe title of the book shows not just the physical items the soldiers carried to war, but the mental burdens that came along with it. Cross carried a pebble to remind him of his lover, Martha, while Dobbins carried extra food to feed himself as he was heavier than the others. The physical objects that the soldiers carried represent the mental struggles that the soldiers brought with them. One of the more interesting characters was Sanders and his human thumb and condoms. These symbolized how Sanders was still childish and not as mature as his fellow soldiers. If I were to go to war, I would carry a small saxophone or piano figurine, as I enjoy music. These would remind me of what I do on a normal basis so that I do not feel too far from home. In the end, the things the soldiers carried represented the fear and thoughts instilled in their minds.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel the things they carried the soldiers carry things with them both physically and mentally. When a person cares about someone its not always enough to just think about them and feel comforted, sometimes you just want to look at a picture and let the memory flood back. When you're in the middle of fighting a war you can't just look through an old photo album you have to carry a picture with you. That picture may not hydrate you when your thirsty, explode to injure an enemy or cure your hunger, but some things hold a value that's priceless. That's why each man caries something with them that although is not a necessity may be the reason they kept on fighting. For Example Kiowa carried a bible that his father had given him to remember his father and to keep his faith. Some of the men carried items because of things they feared and again although these items may not have been necessities it gave the men piece of mind helping them fight to their best ability. Ted lavender was in a contant state of fear so he carried tranquilizers to give him piece of mind. Each man carried something that meant something to them. Henry Dobbins caried extra rations, Dave Jensen carried a toothbrush and foot powder to stay fungus and gum disease free and Ted Lavender caried premium dope. If I were going to war I dont know exacly what I would carry, but I know I would definitely make room for pictures of my family and letters from them.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel The Things They Carried, the things the soldiers carry can be divided into 2 categories. The physical things and the mental/emotional baggage each man carries while fighting in Vietnam. The things they carried showed who they were as men by showing what they valued and what the feared. However, most of the time the connection between the two is simple. An example being Jimmy Cross. The heartbreak of not being with martha was the reason he carried the picture of her. To further demonstrate the correlation between the physical and emotional things carried, Ted Lavender carries anxiety from the war and also carries weed to calm him. I think the strangest thing carried was by Henry Dobbins who wore his girlfriends pantyhose around his neck. The best thing carried was by Cross, who carried pictures of Martha. If I was in the war, I would carry a notebook. That way I would have someway to write down how I felt or what was going on.
ReplyDeleteThe things the men carried help define them as individuals because it shows some of there beliefs and interests. Based on what the men carry you can discover about there home life and there love ones. Most of the objects people carry have an emotional meaning to them. For example, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried around photos and letter from a girl he loved, named Martha. These objects symbolized his love and emotion when it came to Martha. The things they carry show the different emotions the men had. Dave Jensen practiced hygiene so he carried a toothbrush, dental floss, and bars of soap. Ted Lavender was afraid so he carried tranquilizers. All the men had different emotions and some of them were shown in the personal objects they carried. One of the more interesting items was carried by Henry Dobbins and it was his girlfriends pantyhose. I think the best object to carry was letters and photographs to help remind the men of their loved ones at home. I think one of the strangest things was the pantyhose that Henry Dobbins carried. I think the worst thing that one of the men carried was the human thumb that Mitchel Sanders carried. To carry around someone else's thumb is wrong and gross. If I went to war if would carry images of my loved ones. I would also carry paper and pen to write down my thoughts and feelings, so I could later share the experiences I had with my family and friends.
ReplyDeleteThroughout my years of learning about war, it had never occurred to me that soldiers would bring their life with them during battle. We get taught about the paths they take and their purpose for fighting, but not about where the soldiers came from and everything they left behind. Tim O’Brien reveals this side of war in his novel, The Things They Carry. Each soldier carries his own objects and burdens, letting the readers see a personal side to the character. Everything they carried could in one way or another cause them to emotionally or physically break down. Pain, loss, a sense of safety, and fear were probably the most challenging emotional, and psychological feelings for them to carry. Lieutenant Cross is a soldier who is madly in love with a college student named Martha. By carrying around photos and letters from her, he is reminded that there is something to fight for. Ted Lavender tends to get nervous so he carries marijuana and tranquilizers to calm himself down, and the religious Kiowa carries an illustrated New Testament. These men aren’t just here to fight, they carry stories with them everywhere they go no matter the weight. When putting myself in their position, I would try to carry the necessities and then some smaller items that are personal to me. By doing so, I would be able to have less weight but still bring the memories of my past along with me.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien the narrator begins the book in a unique way of describing what exactly each character carried with them while in the Vietnam war. He told us about each item the soldiers carried which varied in weight and use. For example, the men would carry personal items like letters and pictures from back at home, necessities like toothbrushes and pocket knives, military equipment like guns and helmets, and they carried superstitious items like bibles and slingshots. Based on what they carried you could tell a little about what type of person they were before the war and what their duty was in the war. The other thing that every soldier carried in war was the mental burden and the toll the war took on them. The war changed men. It hardened them and drove some of the men crazy. They had to carry the memories of the things they did in war with them for the rest of their lives. Some soldiers would say this was the heaviest thing they had to carry. I think that one of the more interesting items that one of the men carried were the pantyhose carried by Henry Dobbins. He carried these as a reminder that he wanted to go back home and see his wife again. This is the item that kept him going through the war and motivated to live. The best thing the men carried were their guns to keep them alive if they ever had to use them to fight. The worst, in my opinion, were the memories of what they had to do and all the dead young men that had to witness. The strangest items the men carried were their personal items like Kool-Aid, condoms, and pantyhose. If I had to go to war I would carry just a picture of my family. The picture would remind me of my roots and where I came from to keep my character and it would motivate me to get through the war so that I would be able to see them again.
ReplyDeleteIn The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, the things the men carry define them as individuals because they are all things that come from their individual lives away from being a soldier and are all things that remind them of those times away or before. What you can tell about the men is that all of them want a reminder of someplace else such as back home. I think that everything that was carried by the men literally was a way of keeping them sane and to not forget that there is a life outside of this. For example, the boy that Jimmy Cross could not remember his name, was carrying around a picture of his girlfriend who was no longer his girlfriend, I think he was just carrying that around as a reminder of home, not even just to remember Billie. The best things that were carried were Jimmy's letters and pictures of Martha. I think if I was in war I would bring pictures of my loved ones and try to keep all the letters they sent. The strangest thing was the pantyhose carried by Henry Dobbins, or the human thumb by Mitchel Sanders, which shows hoe the war changed people. I think the worst things they figuratively carried were the memories. Like Rat Kiley, who couldn't handle the Night Life and snapped and basically went insane. I really wonder if once the war was over if Rat and other people who were driven crazy by the war ever recovered, if not then that would have to be the worst burden carried. But even if they do I'm sure that they would have moments were they remember everything.
ReplyDeleteIn The Things They Carried, O’Brien states that “the things they carried were largely determined by necessity” so the items carried by each man they could not easily live without. For example, Jimmy Cross carried with him pictures of a girl named Martha, along with an emotional attachment to her and the pain of knowing that she will probably never reciprocate the feeling. The pictures represent his love for Martha and his desire for a relationship with her. Ted Lavender carried marijuana and tranquilizers to calm him down which shows that he is an anxious person, even more so that the other men. Kiowa carried an illustrated New Testament showing that he is a religious person. The strangest item was the human thumb carried by Mitchel Sanders because why would you want a reminder of your situation not to mention that it is also gross. If I went to war I would probably take a picture of my family or key chain to remind me of home.
ReplyDeleteO’Brien introduced each soldier by explaining what they carried with them, rather than who they really were, or their appearance. Telling us what the soldiers physically carried taught us as readers more about the soldiers because it showed what they were willing to carry with them as they were fighting in the battle. Cross carried photos and letters Martha wrote to symbolize his love for her. Cross carrying Martha's photos and letters was the worst thing carried because it distracted him during the war and even led to another soldier's death. Lavender carried tranquilizers to control his fear of the war. I thought the tranquilizers were unexpected because it would relax him, rather than pump him up to fight in the war. Kiley carried M&Ms to help wounded soldiers feel more peaceful. To me, that was interesting because I would not think to bring candy to make people feel better. Each thing the soldier carried showed what type of person they were. Many soldiers carried things to remind them of their lives at home. For example, Kiowa carried a bible to feel closer to God and his family he left behind. I believe the bible was the best thing that was carried because it had many factors. It reminded Kiowa of his faith in God which is needed when one is faced with a battle every day. It also reminded him of his family he was not able to see and helped him feel closer to them while he was so far away. The objects they carried made them feel better due to the emotional side that came with each object. Each soldier was defined by having a distinct object to help them through their struggles. If I was in battle I would carry my grandma's necklace because she never gave up while fighting her battle of cancer.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carry is a phrase that has a double meaning. It means the things they literally carried and it also means the emotional burdens that the war placed upon them. You can tell a lot about people based on the objects they carried. A notable example is Henry Dobbins who wears his girlfriends pantyhose around his neck and believes they bring about a supernatural good luck, later when his girlfriend dumps him he still believes that the pantyhose hold supernatural qualities. This shows that the is a sentimental person that was just looking for something to get him through the war. Many other soldiers would carry photos of loved ones or objects that were given to them by people they hold dear. If I were to go to war I am unsure what I would take if I were to go to war, likely I would take photos of my family and something to keep me occupied possibly a book.
ReplyDeleteIn "The Things Carried" by Tim O'Brien, the things the men carried helped define them by showing some of what they believed in as well as their interests. By looking at what the men carry, different things such as their past, what their home is like, and important people in their life are shown. Some of the physical objects the men carry are symbolic of their figurative objects, like the letters and photos that Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried from Martha. Objects like these showed the reader how he felt about Martha at the time that she gave him the letters and in the present. Another example of a physical object having a connection with the characters personality is Kiowa's New Testament. This shows that he is dedicated to his beliefs and helps us also see into his life at home. By Ted Lavender carrying tranquilizers and marijuana to calm him down, we are shown that he can get very nervous. Each of the men carrying materials that would be used as compresses in case of and injury shows that the men are prepared. I think that some of the more interesting items are Henry Dobbins' extra rations and girlfriend's pantyhose. I think that the best thing that the men carried was Kiowa's Bible, because it could give him reminders of what he believes in as well as his home life. The worst thing was the human thumb that Mitchel Sanders carried because it was kind of gross. In my opinion, the strangest thing someone carried was also Mitchel Sanders' human thumb, because it seems random and not very useful. If I went to war I would bring something small but that had made an impact in my life to help keep old memories alive. I would also bring photos of my loved ones to help make sure I felt like they were with me at all times.
ReplyDeleteIn The Things They Carried, the men carry different items that separate them from other soldiers. Kiowa carries a copy of the Bible and his grandfather's hatchet. Jimmy carries a photo of a love back home who probably does no love him back. You can tell what the men believe in based on what they carry. Henry believes in supernatural luck when he wears his girlfriend's pantyhose. Kiowa believes in Christianity when he carries the Bible. The items they carry can tell you a lot. Ted Lavender carried premium dope so he could mellow out when he is fearful. Jimmy carried his desire to live out his days with Martha with a couple of photographs of her. I think that photographs are the best things to carry because you always have a reminder of what you are fighting for. One item that I found unexpected was the comic books that Rat carried. If I were to bring one thing it would definitely a photograph so I could always remember a moment.
ReplyDeleteThe items the men carried throughout the novel gave you a great idea of the people they were back home. Depending on the quantity or quality of a certain item, this could reveal their profession back home. You could tell what the men cared about, possible requirements they had, and what was important to them. While many possessions they carried helped them survive, some were carried to boost morale and protect. For example, the Bible provided spiritual protection to those who carried it. The items show us that many men missed their families or spouses, and that they wished to get back home to see them once again. Some of the more interesting items i felt were the comic books carried by Rat Kiley, but I assume the had downtime every so often so they probably came in handy. The best thing carried I feel is the rations. They were crucial to survival. I found it strange that many didn't carry extra underwear, but they carried multiple pairs of socks and foot powder. If I went to war, I would carry all the required necessities, as well as a Bible, images of my loved ones, and a camera to photograph anything I deemed interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe men in the novel carry different items that show who they are. They carry items that remind them of their homes and safety. Jimmy Cross carried letters from Martha because they took his mind off of the war. He also had a rock that she sent. He held the rock in his mouth to taste the salt. Many of the men carried dope so they could be relaxed. Kiowa is a Christian man and he carried a bible everywhere he went. His faith kept him strong. The strangest thing that was carried was a finger. These men carried more than just objects. They carried death with them. They carried the fear of death and the memory of death
ReplyDeleteO'Brien introduced each character in The Things They Carried by describing what each of them brought. For example, we automatically knew that Jimmy Cross was in love because of his constant affection for Martha. He kept her letters, pictures, and a rock she sent to make him still feel at home as much as possible. Ted Lavender was so scared and anxious that he carried tranquilizers and marijuana to calm himself down. Kiowa carried an illustrated New Testament with him since he was a christian. You begin to notice that each thing they carried symbolized a personality trait of theirs and gave background to what their home lives were like. If I were to go to war, I would bring letters from family members and pictures to remind me of home.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel, The Things They Carried, the men all carried different things, whether it was physical, mental, or both. All of the men in the war carried something with them, specific to them or not. One specific example is a man named Henry Dobbins. While he went into battle or as they were walking, he would wrap a pair of his girlfriends panthose around his throat. He used them because he said it smelled like her and it helped him to remember her and have hope that he'll make it back to her. He also wore it as he believed them to bring good luck and in many different instances, they proved to be good luck. Even after his girlfriend broke up with him, he wore them around his neck because "The magic doesn't go away". Another man who carried something specific to himself was a man named Lavender. He carried around many things but the one that stuck out to me was the tranquilizers he had with him. He was often anxious and paranoid during the war and used them to calm himself down in high intensity situations. Other men carried different things like letters, a stone, a bible, and the weirdest one to me is the man who carried a finger that they cut off a dead body they found. All the men however had many things in common like the necessities such as rations, their weapons needed, many carried around dope to use during downtime. The biggest thing they all carried however wasn't a physical item. It was the emotional trauma and stress of being in a war in a foreign country, not knowing if you're going to make it out alive or not.
ReplyDeleteAll of the soldiers carry the standardized weapons and equipment and what they considered necessities such as chewing gum, bug repellent, Kool-Aid packets, and water. The more personal items men carried showed their characteristics. Lieutenant Cross carried letters from a girl named Martha who he loved, Ted Lavender carried dope to calm nerves, and Kiwoa who was very faithful carried a New Testament. I think that the best item carried is Norman Bowers journal to keep track of time and events, a way to keep sanity. My priorities would be pictures of family, extra socks, and personal hygiene equipment. The picture of my family would be for a purpose to fight and defend, socks to prevent foot fungus, and hygiene to prevent other types of sickness.
ReplyDeleteIn Tim O'Brien's novel, The Things They Carried depicts not only physical things that the soldiers carried, but also their emotions and relationships as well. The physical things that they carried show not only the physical weight that they carried on their shoulders but can be seen as the burdens that are also weighing them down. Many would carry items of loved ones, clothes, letters, pictures, and things that would remind them of home. Each man carried items that reminded them of who they were before the war so they do not forget themselves along the course of the war. O'Brien even says on page 7 that "...to hump meant to walk, or to march, but it implied burdens far beyond the intransitive" or in other words that each man carried photos which could act like burdens that are weighing them, much like Jimmy Cross and his pictures and letters from Martha, to whom he left behind.
ReplyDeleteMany of the things the soldiers carried were reminders of what they had to fight for--their families, friends, country, loved ones. Each item holding great importance and a reminder of their past and what they've been through. Their items brought them the comfort of home and the fear of losing their lives. The items reminded the men of what they have to fight for and why their fighting for. The items gave them hope for better days and brought them through the rough ones.
The soldiers also carried their emotional burdens of fear for their lives, knowing that if they fail, or die, then what their fighting for could be lost. The soldiers are terrified of losing themselves along the way of the war, causing an invisible weight to be added to the physical weight that is resting on their shoulders.
I believe that the most useful thing for them to carry is their reason to fight and their will to live. Along the course of a war, one can lose themselves. You need hope to keep you going, to remind you of all that you have to lose--your family, friends, memories, and life. As a soldier, I believe that the most important thing to carry is yourself, your hope and your will to fight, because if not, what are you fighting for?
“The things they carried” refer to an amplitude of various things the men lugged emotionally, physically, and mentally throughout the war. The physical items differed from m&ms to tranquilizers and in most cases, held a deeper meaning in the eye of the beholder. Kiowa carried a bible, which belonged to his father, and a hatchet that was at one time in the possession of his grandfather, as well as a few other personal items associated with the members of his family. Although in his backpack he carried something as small as a book and a weapon, in his heart he carried his loved ones. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried a few items which had relation to Martha. One of which was a small pebble he held tightly under his tongue. Martha had found the pebble on the Jersey Shoreline, where “the land touched water at high tide.” With this Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried hope, that he would one day be walking the Jersey Shoreline with Martha barefoot, caring nothing. Ted Lavender carried tranquilizers, as well as other narcotics, which establishes that Ted relies on these drugs as distractions from the war.
ReplyDeleteBased strictly on the items that are carried, in my personal opinion, Ted Lavender appears as the weakest. Rather than surviving and persevering off of will to live and desire to one day be reunited with friends and family members, Ted relies on drugs to keep him alive and distracted. The best thing that someone can carry is not something that can physically fit into their backpacks. Determination, trust within one another, and will to survive are the most important things for the soldiers to carry with them. With confidence in themselves as well as each other, they will be able to make it out alive, look back and tell the story that we read today.
If I were to go to war, I would bring a journal. Having a Journal would set my mind aside, and help me to relax in a productive way while documenting historical events.
n “The Things They Carried” the things that the men carried showed how they were in their real life’s at home or they had what reminded them of home. For instance Cross carried around a picture of his girl to remind himself of her whole other had things like comic books or extra things. These things show what the men prioritize and think is most important to get them through the way mentally or physically. You can tell how the men feel/ think about the war since they brought the things that they felt would get them through the war since they brought these things before they got into the war. Additionally you can sometimes tell how much power one might have over one another or who may look to who. Yes the things they carry are symbolic of something figurative like Cross’s people he got from Martha to bring them together and so they can be “together”. Additionally the things they carry show what they fear like Norman’s dead persons thumb, which is the strangest thing someone carries and I feel that the pebble is the best because it’s something that keeps Cross going although it distracts him and gives a hope to him and gives a hope to the reader of a love story. I feel I would be like Cross and carry a picture of a loved one with me although it would probably be a picture of my dog it would give me something to come home to and I feel that’s how Cross felt.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel “The Things They Carried” the author makes it clear right from the beginning the items the men carry have a specific meaning to them. It may be due to position, such as the medic Rat Kiley carrying medical supplies, or something with more sentimental value like Jimmy Cross carrying a photo of the girl he loved so he would have something to hold on to and give him hope for the future. Along with this, the reader could also learn a great deal about the character based on what they carried. For example, Ted Lavender carried tranquilizers and extra ammunition showing his fear of the war. While Kiowa carried a bible, which shows his morals and faith he used to get him through the war. On top of this, what they carried can have a deeper level like the guilt and shame Norman Bowker carried after the death of Ted Lavender. I believe the best thing to carry during a war situation would be a photograph or letter written by someone I cared about. A photograph gives you hope and something to look forward to and live for, which I believe are important concepts when you are away and in a dangerous situation for a long period of time. A letter lets you remember a person’s voice, what they sound like, and what it was like to have a conversation with them. I think that would help give me hope that I would speak to my family or loved ones again and faith that we would reunite safely one day.
ReplyDeleteIn "The Things They Carried", the objects that the men carried hint about their personalities and home lives. For example, Jimmy Cross carried around a picture of the woman he loved which shows that he is family-oriented and he has someone to fight for. His photo gives him hope and it reminds him of the good times at home with his girl. On the other hand, Ted Lavender carried extra ammo and tranquilizer which shows that he is terrified of the war and will do anything to distract himself from the harsh reality that is war. Lavender uses the drugs to divert his attention away from the fighting. Kiowa carried a bible and Rat Kiley carried a med kit which also show their characters and roles in the war. If I had to choose something to carry with me in the war, I would choose to carry something sentimental, similar to Kiowa carrying his father's bible or grandfather's hatchet and Jimmy Cross carrying around the photograph of his girl back home. Not everything that was carried by the men was a physical object however. For example, Bowker carried grief and guilt with him throughout the war and after the war as well, which eventually led to him killing himself.
ReplyDeleteThe things that the men carried in the novel helped define them as individuals because what they carried belonged and described themselves and nobody else. Depending on what they carried, you could tell their personality and perspectives on their lives. If a soldier was carrying a picture of their family back home, you knew that they lived their lives very family oriented. First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried a picture of a girl, Martha, who he loved from his hometown. Not only was it nice to have the picture, but symbolically it showed how Jimmy Cross held on to hope that when the war was over he could still have his true love which gave him something to fight for. If the men carried things based on necessity and protection, such as Ted Lavender, then it showed they were scared. Kiowa carried a bible showing that he prioritized his values over everything and wished to stay true to himself throughout the war. The best thing a soldier carried was M&Ms. The weirdest were the pantyhose carried by Henry Dobbins around his neck that belonged to his girlfriend. If I had gone to war, I would have definitely carried pictures of my family and things to remind me of my life back home. If I had constant reminders of what I was fighting for it would help me keep my drive for fighting for my country.
ReplyDeleteThe things that the men carry during the war aren't just basic necessities but are also things that they treasure. Jimmy Cross for example carries letters around from a girl he likes named Martha. He has no need to carries these but does so cause it reminds him of home and gives him the strength to keep fighting. You can tell that the men are fighting to keep their loved ones save at home. I don't think anyone of them wanted to go to war but they did so cause they feared if they didn't other people they new and loved would be hurt. I thought Henry Dobbins had the strangest item which was his girlfriend's pantyhose. He wore then as a good luck charm and believed they would keep him safe. The best item I think that someone could bring is something that reminds you of your life back home. It could be different for everyone but that is what I believe is the best item and what I would bring to war if I had to ever go.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel,the things that they carried defined them and gave us a glimpse into their beliefs and about their personal life. What they carried showed their personality and really showed how different of perspectives they had. It really showed what each men thought to be important to them. The physical objects that they carried were indeed symbolic to what they figuratively carried. For example, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried letters and photos from a girl back home named Martha. Objects like these show how he felt about this girl and how important she was to him. I believe that the best thing that someone carried was the bible that Kiowa brought. This showed his faith was very strong and was a something he put his trust in. The worst thing that someone carried was probably the thumb, I just think its just plain weird, I also think that this was probably the strangest thing someone brought as well. If I went to war I would definitely carry photos of my loved ones to give me motivation to keep fighting to one day get back to them.
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