In his novel The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien talks about his experiences in the Vietnam War. As the title suggests, O’Brien tells the readers about what physical items the soldiers carry, from a variety of weapons to photos of lovers and the Bible. Though, as the chapter progresses, the items transition into feelings like guilt, cowardice, and even relief. All of the aforementioned objects differ slightly from person to person, just as each item has different burdens. By creating unique lists, O’Brien subtly builds characters and personality traits of his peers. O’Brien also touches on the subject of storytelling and how it helps the soldiers cope with the struggles of war; many create ideal situations in their head to distract from the
