Identity In The Thing They Carried

There is a myriad of factors that shape one’s identity; yet, one’s gender, memories, and environment have the greatest significance in the development of identity. Identity is how one views oneself both as a person and in relation to other people and ideas. Often, predetermined barriers and expectations through social construct fundamentally shape one's life experience. Moreover, the memories can also mold a person’s identity because it shows how one understands and experiences the world. In the novel, The Thing They Carried, by Tim O’Brien, the characters exemplify that these facets are linked to the formation of one’s identity through their experiences in the Vietnam War.

One’s gender and environment can shape one’s identity via social