The Things They Carried By Tim O Brien

Superior Essays
“The Things They Carried” is a short story written by Tim O 'Brien in 1990, about several young American soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War on the outskirts of a small village, Than Khe. The soldiers are under the command of the main character, First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross. Through his storytelling, O’Brien describes the multiple weights and burdens young men of war carry in order to survive. The soldiers in Lieutenant Cross 's platoon carry more than just tangible burdens such as: weapons, gear, and other essentials. O’Brien explains to his readers that the heaviest burdens on the spirits of these young men weigh heavily on their shoulders, which are not only hefty, but ultimately cost the soldiers their lives. O’Brien leads into his story …show more content…
Each soldier is weighed down by his own personal burden. Throughout most of the story, O 'Brien describes all the guns, ammo, equipment, medicine, etc., that these men physically carry, but he only vaguely touches on the burdens not seen with the eye. Although there are many soldiers in the platoon with their own encumbrances, Ted Lavender 's burdens are by far the most dire. Lavender 's heaviest burden is his fear. Unfortunately, his fear cripples him to the point that is inhibits his mobility, compromising his …show more content…
He took real life experiences and incorporated them into a fictitious piece of literature. “The Things They Carried” is only one of several novels that O 'Brien has successfully produced. However, this short story in particular puts his readers in Than Khe alongside the young soldiers. His readers are able to relate and feel what the young gentlemen are going through. “The Things They Carried” is also admirable for describing the mental burdens that people of war struggle with during and after the battle. O 'Brien described the realism of these burdens and the weight that they have on the soldiers physically, spiritually and mentally. In this case, one of O 'Brien 's platoon member 's, Ted Lavender, death was ultimately caused by the numerous burdens he let bog him

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