... O'Brien's short story entitled "The Things They Carried", the setting and characters are used to acknowledge the theme that the Vietnam War takes a toll on ones physical and emotional state. In the story, each man has a different object that they carry that affects their intellectual view on the war. Throughout the story, the author gives us examples of what ... weather and terrain is difficult, can be not only physically exhausting, but also mentally exhausting. One of the characters that develops through the theme that the war is a physical and emotional burden is Jimmy Cross. Cross's...

• Word Count: 1337
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Summary: The Things They Carried is a riveting book in which Vietnam War veteran Tim O"Brien abstractly writes of his experiences in the war. However, unlike many other historical books that focus on war, O"Brien captures not only his fellow soldiers actions and outward feelings, but transgresses into a realm of private thoughts, fears and worries. The Things They Carried is ... emotions of men on the verge of death. Most war stories are indeed, as stated before, focused on the physical aspects of war, or, if they do venture into the emotional side, feature stories of heroism and bravery. Th...

• Word Count: 982
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... the three men involved. My own beliefs are based on truth and honesty, I believe all the events of the September 11, 2001 terrorists' attacks will be written in the history books; these historical writings and vivid photographs will be entered truthfully and untouched. The statue should be a complete replica of what will serve as a teaching tool for our children in the ... the true history of events would be a grave injustice to the worth of our pride and truths. To make the statue represent ethnics and hues would put a vice on the emotional reverence that these men displayed with so mu...

• Word Count: 1141
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... attempts to display a similar view of the war, and each succeeds exceptionally. Both stories show the horrors of war, and have anti war undertones which are easily detected. Movies and books can both bring a across a different kind of imagery, but their effectiveness depends on the individual who is being communicated with. If the person is very creative and imaginative, reading a book ... The Things They Carried is very real. Not only did O"Brien describe the carnage of the war physically, but he also did an excellent job of displaying the mental and emotional suffering that the soldie...

• Word Count: 1176
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... with the stress of the war. Jim Cross, the platoon leader carried photos and letters from a girl back in America, Martha. Dave Jensen carried a toothbrush and Rat Kiley carried comic books. All of these loads were reminders of the homeland and in a way they were the objects weakening them even though their weapons weighed a lot more, because their mind couldn't focus ... crawled into tunnels, walked point, and advanced under fire, so as not to die of embarrassment. They were afraid of dying, but too afraid to show it. They carried the emotional baggage of men and women who might die at ...

• Word Count: 1574
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... , I am going to talk about dating. In Vietnam, dating is considered an adolescent issue, and one so sensitive that people rarely mention it in conversation, at school, or even in books (Dating in Vietnam 1). Traditionally, Vietnamese males and females are not allowed to date. They simply grow up in their family until age 18 to 20, or sometimes earlier, marry according ... emphasis on their roles, privileges and obligations within their group rather than on their own individual desires. In the United States the relationship between parent and teens is often highly emotional. Their relatio...

• Word Count: 3671
• Approx Pages: 15
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... Things They Carried" was about things the soldiers carried. For example one soldier carried dope, another carried comic books, and another carried condoms. The short story tells about physical things that the soldiers carried during their service. But it actually symbolizes the emotional baggage carried by the soldiers when they were at war. They carry all the things that mean a great deal ... ...

• Word Count: 983
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... showed that not only did the soldiers have to carry out the equipment, weapons and other goods of necessity to live while being there, but they also showed the physical, emotional and awful side that it can be being a soldier. The story shows so many characteristics of those soldiers who are currently over in Iraq and other territories fighting for our ... . All of these stories have earned him several honors. "Going After Cacciato" earned him a National Award for fiction and "The Things They Carried" was named one of the top 10 books in 1990 by the New York Times (Tim O"Brien Biography,...

• Word Count: 939
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School