The Vietnam War started in 1959, causing 58,119 american deaths (Hickman). In “The
Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, O’Brien describes how the rookie soldiers feel through
the hard times of the war. All the soldiers are frightened, but refuse to show their inner fear. It is
not until Ted Lavender, a new recruit to the group who actually shows his uneasiness, separates
to use the restroom and gets shot. The squad consists of Jimmy Cross, the 24 year old lieutenant
who is in charge, Mitchell Sanders, Kiowa, Henry Dobbins, Dave Jensen, Ted Lavender,
Norman Bowker, and Rat Kiley. Jimmy Cross plays an important role in the story where he
blames himself for Ted Lavender’s death. This tragedy causes him to be more alert of …show more content…
“The Things They Carried” is set in the times of the Vietnam War. Throughout the whole
story there is a motif of Ted Lavender’s death. Ted Lavender is the character who shows the
most fear out of his group. He is the “dead weight” (O’Brien 429). The beginning of the story
introduces Jimmy Cross’ affection to his friend Martha. He constantly thinks about her
distracting him from the war environment. O’Brien then describes the things the soldiers carry.
For example, Ted lavender carried tranquilizers. The tranquilizers represent him as not being
calm and worried about what might happen. He also “carried six or seven ounces of premium
dope,” (428) yet another significance showing his anxiety. Kiowa carried a New Testament
illustrating him as a religious man. O’Brien continuously displays Jimmy Cross, remembering
Martha. The distraction of Martha causes Jimmy Cross to feel guilt when Ted Lavender is then
shot. When Ted Lavender was shot, no one but Jimmy and Kiowa were affected. They all “sat
smoking the dead man’s dope until the chopper came” (429) for Ted Lavender. Next, O’Brien
explains the pebble Jimmy Cross receives from Martha. The pebble represents Martha
Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, O’Brien describes how the rookie soldiers feel through
the hard times of the war. All the soldiers are frightened, but refuse to show their inner fear. It is
not until Ted Lavender, a new recruit to the group who actually shows his uneasiness, separates
to use the restroom and gets shot. The squad consists of Jimmy Cross, the 24 year old lieutenant
who is in charge, Mitchell Sanders, Kiowa, Henry Dobbins, Dave Jensen, Ted Lavender,
Norman Bowker, and Rat Kiley. Jimmy Cross plays an important role in the story where he
blames himself for Ted Lavender’s death. This tragedy causes him to be more alert of …show more content…
“The Things They Carried” is set in the times of the Vietnam War. Throughout the whole
story there is a motif of Ted Lavender’s death. Ted Lavender is the character who shows the
most fear out of his group. He is the “dead weight” (O’Brien 429). The beginning of the story
introduces Jimmy Cross’ affection to his friend Martha. He constantly thinks about her
distracting him from the war environment. O’Brien then describes the things the soldiers carry.
For example, Ted lavender carried tranquilizers. The tranquilizers represent him as not being
calm and worried about what might happen. He also “carried six or seven ounces of premium
dope,” (428) yet another significance showing his anxiety. Kiowa carried a New Testament
illustrating him as a religious man. O’Brien continuously displays Jimmy Cross, remembering
Martha. The distraction of Martha causes Jimmy Cross to feel guilt when Ted Lavender is then
shot. When Ted Lavender was shot, no one but Jimmy and Kiowa were affected. They all “sat
smoking the dead man’s dope until the chopper came” (429) for Ted Lavender. Next, O’Brien
explains the pebble Jimmy Cross receives from Martha. The pebble represents Martha