What can you tell about the men based on what they carry?
Are the literal things they carry symbolic of something figurative they carry?
What do they things show us about what they men value, desire, fear, etc.?
What are some of the more interesting items?
What is the best thing that someone carries? The worst? The strangest?
Which "things" were unexpected? What would you carry if you went to war?
The things the men carry help define them as individuals because it reveals what they value most and what they miss from before the war. You can tell by the letters that Jimmy Cross carried that he loved Martha and missed her. You can tell that Kiowa values his religion by the Bible that he carries. You can tell that Dave Jensen feared trench foot by the foot powder and extra socks he carried. The things the men carried also symbolize the burdens that were weighing down their mind and not just their bodies. These burdens were things like fear, love, and regret.
ReplyDeleteSome of the more interesting items that were carried by the men were tranquilizers, comic books, a slingshot, a feathered hatchet, and M&Ms. I think the best thing they carried were photographs, even though most of them had them. The worst to me would have to be the tranquilizers. How can you be ready to fight in an instant if you’re sedated? Almost all of these things were unexpected though. Especially the M&Ms. I can’t imagine them lasting that long.
If I went to war I would carry photographs, and like Norman Bowker I would carry a diary. I would need a place to put down every horrible thing I saw just to get it out of my mind.
The title "The Things They Carried" refers to the the physical and emotional things the soldiers carried. They all carried things that were used for the war and necessities but they also carried extra trinkets that comforted them. Kiowa carried a New Testament Bible which showed his religion was important to him. Others carried things from their girlfriends that show they desire to be back home with their girls. The emotional things they carried were watching each other die and coping with death. O'Brien talks how the soldiers coped with death by joking about it. The jokes were used to cover the fears they carried.
ReplyDeleteIn the description of what the men carried O'Brien would describe both weapons and personal artifacts that they held. The weapons said they were soldiers but things like Kiowa's Bible and the Lieutenant's pebble expresses that they were actual humans with real lives, superstitions, fears, and emotions.At first glance one would think that Kiowa was religious because he carried a Bible with him, but the Bible was also a gift from his father so it might be to remember his family. Cross carries photos, letters, and the pebble from the girl he loves, Martha,although she will not love him back. Some of the literal things they carry also show symbolic things. Although the men carry some form of weapon, this constantly reminds them that they are carrying the war on their shoulders. Lavender has tranquilizers and pot with him, Lavender carries fear and anxiety.One of the strangest things is carried by Dobbins. Dobbins carries his girlfriends underwear, but not for some nasty reason, he carries it as a good luck charm.
ReplyDeleteIf I went to war I would carry my sketchbook. I would like to see how my drawings might evolve before, during, and after experiencing a war.Because art is an expression of a person's inner thoughts I could attempt understand how tragedy has changed me through what I draw.
The title of book refers to a lot. To the literal things they carried an to the figurative things they carried. Kiowa carries his grandpas old feather hatchet, a New Testament Bible, his grandma's distrust of the white man and a great religious belief. In Stockings he says that it feels wrong just wrong that they're inside the religous temple of the monks becuase its a holy symbol and kiowa has that huge religious belief he carries.
ReplyDeleteLavender carried tranqualizers on him and dope as well. You have to understand thought hat if you're seeing people get killed, people being blown up, and you're risking your life everyday you have to find a way to escape.His adiction was his demise though and it evidentyl led him to getting killed because he was so hype up on tranqualizers.
Cross carried pictures and letters of Martha he also carried hope and love. He had the lucky smooth pebble that she sent him as well. These things are a bigger weight than they appear because in his eyes his sentimental attachment he had to them led to Lavender's death. Which is why I personally think he burned them so he could get rid of the love and hope he had and it eventually led him to become a greater leader.
The title "The Things They Carried" refers to the things the men carried that helped define them as individuals because it reveals their values, beliefs and their lives before the war. This is inferred by the letters that Jimmy carried that showed his love for and miss of Martha. The Bible, a more common item to carry, shows that Kiowa values his religion. You can tell that Dave Jensen feared trench foot by the foot powder and extra socks he carried, which is one of the more strange of the items. The things the men carried also symbolize the burdens that were weighing down the soldier’s mind and heart, not just their bodies. The things they carried, which weren’t just burdens, but they were problems such as things like fear, love, anxiety and regret.
ReplyDeleteSome of the more interesting items that were carried by the men were comic books, a slingshot, a feathered hatchet, and M&Ms. Some soldiers had tranquilizers and pot. One of the strangest items carried was from Dobbins. He carries his girlfriends underwear, but it as a good luck charm. I think the best thing they carried were photographs, even though most of them had photos, it would be the thing I carry because it would remind me of who I am fighting for. The worst to me would have to be the tranquilizers. How can you be ready to fight in an instant if you’re sedated? Almost all of these things were unexpected though. Especially the M&Ms. I can’t imagine them lasting that long.
The things the men carry throughout their journey in Vietnam help them define themselves as individuals because each of them carry something that is a piece of them from their own lives they left in America for war. For example, tough Henry Dobbins carries his girlfriend's stockings around his neck as a good luck charm and to remind him of all the great memories he left behind of her. The nervous Ted Lavender carries marijuana and tranquilizers to calm himself and the ever so religious Kiowa carries around with him his Bible as a rememberance of his father and faith to God. What all these men have in common is that they all literally carry different things, but figuratively carry the weight of memory. Personally, I find the fact that Mitchell Sanders carries around condoms the strangest because if you're in war the last thing one should be worried about is who they are going to sleep with at the end of the day when there are much more serious things to be worried about. In addition, the most unexpected thing that I read to be carried was the underwear Dobbins carries as a good luck charm because that is kind of gross. In my opinion, if I went to war the one thing I would carry would be my Bible like Kiowa because the passages in there are constant reminders that no matter what things are going to be okay.
ReplyDeleteBased on Tim O'Brien's description of the things carried by the soldiers during the Vietnam War, one could conclude that his platoon is comprised of a great variety of men. For example, members of his platoon carry a wide array of different things that have a different meaning to each and every individual, both physical and emotional.
ReplyDeleteThe literal things the soldiers carry are certainly symbolic of a deeper meaning. for example, Dobbins carries his girlfriend's underwear, while Lavender carries marijuana; both of which symbolize the soldiers individual wants and desires.
The various items carried by the soldiers are symbolic of their wants and fears through various different interpretations. For example, Jensen deeply feared trench foot, and therefore carried Dr. Scholl's and a myriad supply of extra socks, while on the other hand, Kiowa always carried his Bible by his side because he values his religion on a deep level that only he understands.
While any item could be considered interesting, M&M's, comic books, and a slingshot were the ones that stuck out the most.
I believe that Lee Strunk carries the most interesting item...his slingshot. Strunk proves that he is very resourceful because he explains his logic pertaining to the slingshot as never needing ammo.
The worst item carried by the soldiers are tranquilizers because you will not be fully alert and ready to combat against the enemy if you are under the grasp of a heavy sedative.
Dobbins carries the strangest item...he wears his girlfriends underwear around his neck, almost as if it were a blanket.
I didn't expect the soldiers to carry marijuana and tranquilizers, nor did I expect their superiors to allow them to have them.
If I went to war, there would be one things I would carry, my pocket sized Bible, because I value my religion deeply, much like Kiowa.
The things the men carry in war define them as individuals because they each carry something different that shows what they value over the others. For example, Kiowa carries his bible with him which shows how he values religion. Dave Jensen shows his fear of trench foot through him carrying extra socks and foot powder. And finally Ted Lavender carries tranquilizers with him because he is the nervous type and they help to keep him relaxed. All the men carry different things but each literal object carries a memory for each soldier.
ReplyDeleteThe object that struck me as most interesting was the slingshot because with all the weapons you already carry I found it interesting someone would carry along another. The worst item to be carried I believe were the tranquilizers because it's bad for your health. The best object to carry I believe is the photos and letters to help you remember loved ones. The strangest object to be carried was the panties that Dobbins carried as a good luck charm. One thing I didn't expect any of the soldiers to carry was tranquilizers and marijuana. If I went to war I would bring with me pictures of my family and friends to help me remember them because that's what I value most in my life.
The things that the soldiers carried throughout their journey in Vietnam symbolized various traits of the men. For example, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries the basic necessities he is required to as the platoon leader like compasses, maps for coordinates, codebooks etc. Anything that really symbolizes his responsibility as the leader of these men. But he also carries with him the letters written to him by the woman he is in love with, Martha, who doesn't have mutual feelings towards him. When it comes to his men he is supposed to be a strong leader but as soon as the thought of Martha enters his mind it is almost like he has become weak by his love for her. He has a strong desire for something that could never be. Every personal item that the men carry is their outlet to remind them of home. Whether they're lovesick and continue to carry things that belonged to a former flame or just want to be reminded of their family such as Kiowa. Kiowa carries his grandfather's hunting hatchet along with a bible symbolizing his christian upbringing before the war. Ted Lavender would carry tranquilizers along with a little more ammunition than the other men, constantly in fear. The most interesting item(s) were the m&ms. This at first confused me since you wouldn't expect a medic, who was Rat, to have them on hand but it provided a good source of assistance when treating wounds. I think the best thing someone can carry, a soldier in particular, would be anything that provides comfort and inspiration to keep persevering. I think the worst thing someone could carry would be anything that reminds them of a rough time in their past or has done nothing but bring them down. Things that don't allow any progress in a person's life. If I went to war I would most likely carry pictures of home since they would provide me with hope and reason to keep fighting.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carry help them define who they are and what their values are. The items they lug around with them at all times help make them feel just a little more comfortable with their surroundings and less homesick. The items they bring with them may show what they've been through or what they believe in. The things they carry might be pieces of their past or objects to remind them of someone important back in the states. Most of the things they carried were necessities, but some were personal. Also, it depended on how much weight you were able to carry. You can tell that Lieutenant Cross was once in love with Martha since he used to carry letters from her and the good luck charm that was sent to him from her. Cross also carried a majority of the essentials, since he was in charge of these men. Mitchell Sanders carried brass knuckles as a weapon to defend himself with in certain situations. You can tell Kiowa is a more peaceful kind of guy, since he brought along a pair of moccasins for silence during ambushes. Some of the rather different items would be the thumb that Norman Bowker carried, and the pantyhose that Henry Dobbins brought along on night missions. Both of these items povided comfort for the men. The worst thing they carried would be the basketballs and chess sets. I know they have to keep themselves entertained while waiting to carry out missions, but it takes up too much room. The infections they carried were obviously no good, either. If I was to be in the war, I would carry a deck of cards, hacky sack, my all-time favorite book, plenty of snacks, large bottle of water to refill, and a smal collage of pictures of my family and friends back at home. The most unexpected thing carried would be the pantyhose that Henry Dobbins brought along.
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ReplyDeleteThe men only carry what is most important to them. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carrying a picture of Martha, the woman he loved. He also carried a pebble that Martha had given him and kept it with him wherever he went. Kiowa carrying The Bible, showing his love for God. Rat Kiley, the medic, who carried M&Ms for especially bad wounds. Henry Dobbins, who carried his girlfriend's pantyhose around his neck for luck. I think the most interesting of all the items is the thumb that is carried by Norman Bowker. It just interested me that he would carry something so strange. I think the picture of Martha is the best thing carried because it helps Jimmy Cross push on. The worst item was definitely the tranquilizers because it was not the safest thing to travel with at war. If I were to go into war, I would carry personal hings like pictures of my family, The Bible, and a rosary so that I can remember what is important- my family and God- and I could continue to push myself.
ReplyDeleteThe things the men carry define them because they reveal what kind of person they are and what matters most to them. You can tell, for example, if the men are hopeless romantics like First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, or if they are clean freaks like Dave Jensen. The items represent things that are essential to them, even in the midst of such a war. The literal items represent a kind of emotion that they feel when they see the item. Jimmy Cross feels love when he sees Martha's letters. Dave Jensen feels comfortable and at home when he carries his dental products. The items, for some time, can make the men forget their current situation. The tranquilizers that Ted Lavender carries show us that he fears the war and would like to forget about it for some time. Most of the things the other men carry show us what they value most. An item that I found especially interesting would have to be the condoms that Mitchell Sanders carried. It's interesting to me because it makes me curious as to why he would carry such an item during a war. But that's just the point! The men carry things that make them forget. The best thing that someone carries is the New Testament bible. When I read that Kiowa carried this, it made me happy that people can retain faith during such a terrible war. The worst thing that someone carried was dope, but I guess Ted Lavender needed that to remain calm. The strangest I would also have to say were the condoms. Things that were unexpected were the M&Ms carried by a medic. If I went to war, I would carry pictures of my family and closest friends. I would also bring my guilty pleasure food.
ReplyDeleteThe things the men carried help define them as individuals from their lives before the war. For example, First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries a picture of Martha, the love of his life. Henry Dobbins carries his girlfriends stockings, for good luck and comfort. Ted Lavender carries tranquilizers and marijuana, to calm himself during the war. The best thing that was carried was the Bible, which was carried by Kiowa, I thought this is was great because he could go to his faith in such a terrible war. The worst thing that was carried was the marijuana, but i guess you have to do whatever it is to keep you calm during the war. The strangest thing that was carried was the condoms, the last thing i think you should need during a war. The things that were unexpected to be carried were the stockings that Henry Dobbins carried as a good luck charm, because i thought that was just weird. If i went to war i would carry pictures of my family and friends and my favorite snack.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carry help define the men by who they are and what they value the most in life. Whether its marijuana, pictures of lovers, or lucky charms, the men all carry things that are important to them. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried letters from a woman named Martha. You could tell by the way he held them and even licked the envelope, that he loved her. Ted Lavender was scared so he carried marijuana and tranquilizers. The things Ted carried helped him relax and kind of carries his mind away for a little bit and gives him a break from war. Kiowa carried a bible, which shows how much he values his religious beliefs. These objects make the men forget about war for awhile. It carries their mind to another place that makes them feel happy and safe. They get a break from reality. They treasure these small items, no matter what it is. If I was in war I would probably carry a bible and a few pictures from my favorite memories. The bible would give me constant reminders that God is always protecting me and has my back. The pictures would give me reminders of my favorite memories. I could replay those moments in my head and feel secure and warmth in my heart. Some interesting items that the men carry were slingshots, M&Ms, condoms and underwear. I think the strangest item carried was by Mitchell Sanders. Mitchell carries condoms. I don’t understand why someone would carry condoms when that is one of the last things I would be thinking about when I’m in war. I believe the best thing being carried is a bible. I think it is awesome that Kiowa is strong in his beliefs and would carry a bible out of all the things he could choose from. I think the worst thing to carry is M&Ms. It won’t last forever and I don’t understand why someone would bring candy. But I can’t judge because maybe it’s important to him. People carry things that help get them away from reality and those things range from comic books to marijuana. The thing that everyone has in common is that none of the belongings are the same. It defines individualism.
ReplyDeleteThe things the men carry show what is most important to them in their home lives, what helps them cope with anger or sadness, and what brings nostalgia to them when they need it while they are away. Jimmy Cross was in love with a girl named Martha. You could tell this because he carried letters that were not love letters, but hoped her signature that read "Love, Martha" actually meant she loved him. Dave Jensen carried toiletries, so he must be very concerned about hygiene. Ted Lavender carried dope, meaning drugs are his way of coping with emotional traumas. Mitchell Sanders carried condoms, which could mean he thinks highly of himself and expects he will get lucky, even though it is unlikely if he is on duty most of the time. Kiowa carried a bible, which meant he could be religious. The literal things they carry could very much be symbolic, their weapons and C-rations symbolize that the war is and always will be on their shoulders. I think the best thing they carry are pictures and letters, just for a reminder of home and the people who will be waiting for them when they come back home. The worst would probably be condoms, just because I don't think something you should be hoping for is sex when you're fighting in a war. But I suppose it's better to be prepared in case it /does/ happen. The strangest would be the dope, since they are soldiers which are controlled by the government who obviously aren't very accepted of dope. Ted Lavender didn't seem to care, he needed that to cope.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carried varies from each person. They brought things that reminded them of home and brought items that meant something to them. Some chose to carry items that gave them strength from back home and transfer it to Vietnam so they could feel it there. Such as Kiowa who had his book of teachings that said a lot about his character such as his love for peace and his morals. It reminded him of his father and his childhood which gave him strength throughout his service. Lieutenant Cross had a picture of a woman who he knew didn't love him but didn't care because he loved her and that gave him strength and resilience. The man who used his past love's pantyhose around his neck as a good luck charm that did work for him. They all had their own personal items to carry to help them cope throughout the war. I think the pantyhose is the most interesting thing anyone carries. Even though they are no longer together, the man sleeps with them and always has them with him. The object I thought the worst was the dope. He had to bring drugs with him to last through the war. It probably hurt him more than it helped him considering some people blamed it for his death. If I went to war, what I would most likely bring is my dog's collar. I am a huge animal lover and that dog is with me when I'm down the most. It would be easy to hold onto and can have uses rather than just sitting there. It's also easy to conceal. I'm not a people person, but there is not one animal I don't love. And animals bring me to peace.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carry help define them as individuals through things they brought from home to remind them of who they are and where they come from. You can tell their attitude and what kind of person they are, their choices, and their experiences. Yes the things they literally carry are symbolic of what they figuratively carry. Such as Kiowa's bible. He not only carried the actual book, but he carried his faith.
ReplyDeleteThey desired to be home and safe. Some brought good luck charms to protect them from harsh effects of the war because they feared they'd never see their families again or would die a horrible death. The more interesting items were the tranquilizers the Lavender carried to calm him down. The best thing that anyone could carry would be the morphine and malaria tablets that Rat Kiley carries because his items help others. The worst was probably the picture of Martha that Lieutenant Cross carried because she didn't even love him and it probably made him more sad and upset than if he were to carry something that made him more happy. The most unexpected was the pantyhose because he is way too superstitious. If I was in war I would carry a Gameboy to keep my mind of things, plus it's awesome and super fun.
The things the men carry help to define them as individuals because it shows some of what they hold onto from home and from their dreams. It shows what they are afraid of and what they wish for. For example, First Lieutenant Cross carries letters from Martha whom he wishes to be with. She is part of a dream he was following and even though he was in war, part of him was still home. Kiowa, whom was a Baptist, carried an illustrated New Testament because he valued God. Ted Lavender carried premium dope because he desired to be happy, relaxed, and free from the war. The things the men carry are symbolizing what they carry within themselves such as love, loyalty, and fears. Not everything they carry mentally and physically is either good or bad, but just there. Also the things the men carry help one to determine what they are. Rat Kiley carried morphine, plasma, malaria tablets, and surgical tape because he was a medic while Henry Dobbins was the machine gunner and therefore carried the M-60 and the ammunition that went with it. Some of the interesting and unexpected items that the men carry are Lavender’s dope, which is the worst thing to carry into chaos, Lee Strunk’s slingshot, and Mitchell Sanders’s brass knuckles. The best thing carried belongs to Kiowa and it is because even in war he stays strong in his faith. The strangest thing is a pair of pantyhose that is carried by Henry Dobbins, but in carrying them he feels safer. If I were to go to war I would carry a picture of my family, a knife, and an extra pair of socks.
ReplyDeleteIn "The things they carried" the men were defined by the things they carried because it showwed what the men may have gone through in the past and what kind of virtues are important to them now because of past expiriences. They things the men carried show different charactoristics and traits about them. For example, Ted Lavendar carried marijuana and tranquilizers because he was a very nervous man and needed those things to calm himself. Kiowa carries the New testament which shows his commitment to his religion and that he cares about god. Henry Dobbins carried extra food and his girlfriend's pantyhose around his neck. This shows that he is a larger man who needs to eat a lot, and it also shows that he is superstious because he feels like he needs to keep his girlfriend close to his heart during the war. The things they carry are not only litteral things they carry but they are also symbolic. For example, Jimmy Cross carries the "love" letters from Martha to symbolize his hope that she will love him in return. The things the men carry can show the things they desire, value, or fear. Cross carries the letters in hope that Martha will love him in return also shows that he fears getting rid of the letters will symbolize Martha's chances of loving him. Some of the most interesting items that the men carry are pantyhose, Morphine, marijuana, the good-luck pebble that jimmy cross carries, and Kiowa's copy of the New Testament. The best thing thatsomeone carries is either Kiowa's New Testament or Jimmy Cross's good-luck pebble. The worst thing carried would have to be the Marijuana and tranquilizers by tim lavander. The strangest thing would be the pantyhose that Henry Dobbins carries. The most unexpected thing that someone would carry would be drugs tim lavander carried. If I went to war I would carry photos of the people in my life that mean the most to me and medical kit to be able to help myself or any other injured person.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carry are what keep the men grounded during the war. They carry what tells them apart from others. They carry what they have to in order to keep on going. Things that help them cope with the war. Things that remind them of what’s real and what’s not. The literal half of their gear is the weight of war on their shoulders. They carried military issued weapons, C-rations, clothing, any supplies they might need. Some men had their radios, others had medical supplies. Whatever they needed to get their job done.
ReplyDeleteThe other half of their gear is more symbolic. They carried burdens that young men have. They carried, fear, anger, anxiety, most likely any emotion at any given time. Not all symbolic things have to be physical. However, the physical items they do carry tell a lot about them. Jimmy Cross carried Martha’s pebble and pictures because he loved her so much. Ted Lavender’s way of coping was his dope he’d share. Kiowa had a bible because of his faith and his father. Dave Jensen had hygiene products because that was important to him. Most of the men of the company carried cigarettes and pictures of loved ones. Maybe that’s for nostalgia or maybe it’s to let them know that there are things to go home to. I think some of the most different things they carry are the M&Ms, condoms, panties, and the slingshot, although that’s also smart. But, the strangest thing I thought was the dead boy’s thumb given to Mitchell Sanders.
Everyone’s saying they’d bring pictures of family and friends. For me, I’d bring a picture of just my brother. He’s a good little dude and at least I’d know he’s okay.
Each of the men carries something important to them that help them remember their lives back in the United States as well as things that they need to survive in Vietnam. Lieutenant Cross carries his a picture of Martha, Henry Dobbins carries his girlfriend’s panty hose for luck, Kiowa carries a hatchet and his father’s New Testament, and Lavender carries tranquilizers to help calm down. Each person carries something that is important to them as well a figurative burdens, Tim O’Brien caries the burden of trying to run away from the war but ultimately joining it anyway. Jimmy Cross carried the burden of Lavender’s death because he was in charge when Lavender was shot in the head. Sometimes the emotional burdens weigh more than the literal burdens. This is shown when Kiowa dies and Bowker doesn’t seem to take it well, all the metals he earned don’t really mean much when he might have been able to save Kiowa from the muck. His emotional burden eventually leads to hanging himself because of his guilt and loss of purpose in life. Bowker never forgave himself for Kiowa’s death but Bowker didn’t have the power to forgive himself. In order to be forgiven, you must find the power to free yourself.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing someone can carry is hope, and without hope it is hard to get though tough situations and conflicts that someone may run into. Without hope there is nothing else to life for. The worst thing to carry with you at war would be the tranquilizers, you want to be alert at all times in case of an attack. The strangest thing would probably be the sling-shot, which I don't think would be very useful. If I had to go to war I would take a katana, my lucky necklace, and a picture of my family. Hey if you run out a bullets at least you have another weapon to fall back on.
The title of the story took a long time for me to get. But it refers to the literal and symbolic items the soldiers carry. Every soldier carries different items that help define them. Cross carries letters and photos from the girl he loves, knowing the feeling isn't mutual. This shows he has compassion and more emotions then just a hardened war vet. Kiowa keeps a Bible with him at all times. This to me defines him as a strong religious man, who likes having the comfort of something from his home life with him. Lieutenant's pebble is symbolic for his superstition and really demonstrates how even though they are in the war and told to be a certain way, they are human beings with other thoughts and feelings. Dobbins carries one of the strangest and most unexpected items. He carried his girlfriend's underwear on his neck. He did this for his belief in luck, and thought that they brought good luck. Lavender carries weed and tranquilizers with him. To me this shows that he likes to be calm and escape the thought of war and being in it. I don't think you can really say the items were the worst or best. To each of the guys, they had such importance and value that kept the moving and fighting everyday rather than giving up. If I were to be sent to war, I think I would bring my iPod. I would want to listen to my music. It's calming and reminds me of home and different people from home that I'm fighting for.
ReplyDeleteEach of the items that the men carried were special and symbolic to the person that carried them. It defines their unique personalities and values. The reader can quickly tell what is important to each of the men by the items they carry. For example, Lavender is obviously a very anxious and paranoid person considering he carries different varieties of items to calm himself. The objects that these soldiers carry express the fears and desires that each of them hold. Lieutenant Cross keeps a picture of his love, Martha, with him at all times to remind him of the good things in life and it gives him something to fight for. I would say that Cross carries that is the best thing a person can carry: a picture of a loved one. The worst item someone carries is probably the marijuana that Lavender has because it is not healthy, especially during a war where soldiers need to be in the best condition they can. There are many strange items soldiers carry, including condoms, pantyhose, and a severed thumb. If I was in a war, I would definitely carry pictures of my family and friends to remind me of home.
ReplyDeleteFor each solider most things they carried where necessities, but each individual also carried their own personal items that are symbolic to the type of person they are. Lieutenant Cross Carried a picture of a girl from back home, Maratha, however he figuratively carried his love for her. Mitchell Sanders carried condoms which showed his desire for women. Rat Kiley carried his bible, and figuratively, his faith. For all the men the things they carried shows what they miss most about home. Though, Lieutenant Cross carried the picture and stone from Martha it was also one of the worst things for him to bring. He had such a strong t\love for Martha that having these items made him think more about her and pay less attention to his duties. One of the best thing the men carried was the Rat Keiley’s canvas filled with morphine, plasma, malaria tablets and surgical tape because these items could help other people. If I went to war I would also bring my bible because faith would be the only thing that could help me get through the terrible occurrences that take place during war.
ReplyDeleteEach soldier carried thing that showed what kind of person they were. For example, Lieutenant Cross carried letters and a picture from Martha showing that he was carrying his love for Martha. Rat Kiley carried a bible with him, which showed that he was carrying his faith with him wherever he went. The things the soldiers carried were really symbolic to who they were as an individual. The things I would carry if I was in the war would be pictures of my family and friends, and my bible. It would help me remember what my life was like before the war.
ReplyDeleteIn the title story what the men carry really show who they are as people. Someone who really values their relationships back home may carry things that remind them of those people, whether it be a girls picture or an article of clothing. While others who are just trying to get through the war may carry dope to keep them sane. Some men carry those literal things while others, like Jimmy Cross, carry the guilt of his men dying because of him thinking about Martha. Though it may not be true, its what he carried everyday after through the war. You could tell before that though how much he loved Martha because of the things from her he carried, her letters and the fact he burned them was the most interesting to me. I think the worst thing to carry was the "unweighted fear". I can't say anything anyone carried was unexpected, everyone had a reason to carry what they did and some things I too would have carried, but if I were in their position I would carry plenty of bullets and as many pictures as possible.
ReplyDeleteThe things each man carried throughout the war defines their personality, and their past. It shows us a bit of who they really are and a start for us to find out what they did before they went to war. It shows us the roots of each soldier, where they stood before the war and in a way why they stand in the war as a soldier then. In some cases the things they carried were what defined their feelings and thoughts. Kiowa always carried a New Testament, which showed that the shell of a soldier that was Kiowa, carried a religious man years before. The things that the Lieutenant carried shows us undoubtedly his love for a girl, his dreams of being with her and how he missed her in a simple sense. Other things being carried, like the soldiers personal item from his girlfriend at home which he wraps around his neck is certainly strange, but it keeps him safe in a sense, it helps him think clearly knowing that he's wrapped around in something comfortable and more familiar to him then the war and surrounding environments. In a sense, anything can be expected, it just depends on where that person came from, what his past is and why he is there today. If I were to go to war, a journal of some sort would undoubtedly be brought, as well as cross of some sort. Items that pertain to my personal life currently so I can always remember who I am today.
ReplyDeleteEach item the men carried with them was a symbol to who they truly were back home. Some items were to keep them from going insane and others were to help them literally survive something bad were to happen, such as Rat Keiley when he carried morphine and bandages to help others. Jimmy Cross on the other hand carried a picture of Martha because he loved her so much and she was the only reminder to him of the good things in his world. Some of the things the men carried weren't actually physical items. Many men carried the guilt of their fellow soldiers dying and the feeling of always being unprepared for what would happen next. I think that the worst thing to carry was the drugs, because that would make the men's mental condition even worse. If I was in the war I would carry a sentimental item, such as a picture of my family to remind me of the good things I had to look forward to when I would come home. I would also carry with me items to help me physically survive such as plenty of water and a knife.
ReplyDeleteThe items the soldiers carried in their rucksacks were like pieces of each man’s personality. The things that were most important to them were the things they carried. For example, the reader can tell that Martha was a significant part of his life and he missed her very much. Ted Lavender was downright afraid, so he carried tranquilizers. Each man carried their personal items along with about 15 pounds of necessities which were a burden to carry physically. Figuratively, the personal things that the soldiers carried were symbolic of the emotional burdens that they carried being in Vietnam. Whether it be family that was missed, or the burden of the war itself.
ReplyDeleteSome of the more interesting items carried, in my opinion, would have to be the “good luck” underwear carried by Dobbins and comic books, all because they just seem so obscure and unexpected in a war. The best things that the men carried would have to be the photos of the loved ones because it shows an emotional connection and serves as a good reminder to keep fighting. The worst item would have to be the condoms because sex should not be a top priority in combat, and I believe that the fact that it was packed in the first place makes it the strangest and most unexpected item as well. If I went to war, I would carry letters from my family so I could read them over and over again so I could be reminded of the demeanor and personalities of my friends and family. They would remind me of why I would be fighting and serve as a reason to stand strong and not give up the fight.
The things each man carried helped define their personality, who they really as a person, and what they believe in. You can tell Jimmy Cross by the letters Jimmy Cross carried that he loved Martha, and missed her very much. You can tell Kiowa values his religion by the Bible that he carries. You can tell that Dave Jensen feared trench foot by the foot powder and extra socks he carried. This can relate to Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump. Next, you can tell that each man is different in their own respective way. No one man is alike, they all carry different items, and mementos. The literal things they carry are symbolic of something figurative they carry because all the men can attest to this. Jimmy Cross carries letters from Martha, and it is figurative because he loves her. Kiowa carries a bible because he is extremely religious. These things they carry define the men’s true loves of their heart, and what their priorities are. The more interesting items are a slingshot, M&M’s, and tranquilizers. The best thing I believe that someone carries has got to be a photograph of someone you hold dearest to your heart, because it motivates you to get home safely to them. The worst has got to go to the M&M’s. What you use them for besides eating? The strangest has got to be the tranquilizers. Unexpected items would seem like the M&M’s because wouldn’t they melt in the humid and hot jungle in Vietnam. If I went to war I would carry photographs, a pocket knife, things I would use for battle situations to be prepared, and a Bible.
ReplyDeleteThe things the men carried was not just the complete soldier package the also brought along with the their own personal things. Their personal things are what define them as individuals and tell a little story about them. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross he carried around a picture of the girl he loves Martha from back in college. Henry Dobbins carried around his girlfriends pantyhose around his neck for good luck. Ted Lavender carried marijuana and tranquilizers to calm himself down, and the religious Kiowa carries the New Testament around. The personal things they carried told a little bit about that person. Lavender carried the marijuana and tranquilizers to help him get over his fear of the war. Dobbins carried his girlfriends pantyhose because he said they were lucky and protected him. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross kept the picture of Martha because he lusted after her even though she didn't feel the same about him it gave him hope. All the things the men carried gave them a little piece of hope. As strange as some of the things the men carried like tranquilizers, comic books, pantyhose,and M&Ms it all meant something to the them. The worst thing that someone carried would be the photo of Martha. As much as Lieutenant Jimmy Cross loved her. he knew she didn't love him the same way. to me this is the worst because when you have down time it makes you wonder about the person and distracts you. The unexpected thing that the men carried would have to be the pantyhose. If I ever went to I would probably bring pictures of my love ones and a really good book to keep me company during off time.
ReplyDeleteO'Brien uses "The Things They Carry" to define the soldiers as individuals, both figuratively and literally. For example, Kiowa carries a bible with him. It shows that he practices religion openly, and that he is devout in his religion. I think that the strangest thing that someone carries is pantyhose. Henry Dobbins carries his girlfriends pantyhose with him. This shows the feelings he has for his girlfriend, and that she comforts him, whether she is with him or not.
ReplyDeleteThe things the men carry help define who they are as people. The items they carry along with them remind both themselves and the readers that they have lives outside of the war. These items give each soldier a reason to keep fighting so they can return home. For Cross, they are letters from Martha, a girl he loves deeply even though she does not reciprocate his feelings. Kiowa carries with him a bible, which not only shows how important his religion is to him, but also shows that his family is very important, as the bible was a gift from his father. Rat Kiley, a medic, carries comic books along with his medical supplies, which I assume he brings so he can temporarily forget about war while he loses himself in a different reality. His comic books are without a doubt my favourite item carried, because it is typically unexpected for a soldier to bring something like this, and it is very telling of Kiley's personality.
ReplyDeleteSome of the most interesting items carried are marijuana, comic books, and M&Ms (which, by the way, were specifically designed for soldiers to carry around with them because they don't melt in the bag). The worst thing carried are condoms, because sex should be the least of one's priorities in a situation like this. If I went to war, I would carry photos and letters from loved ones and my iPod, as music is the only thing that calms me down in stressful situations.
Everything that the men carry helps define them as individuals because everything that they have in their bags expresses some meaning or importance in each and every one of their lives. From things the men carry in their military issued bags you can get an idea about how they are truly feeling about being overseas. You can also tell if they are missing a significant other, many men carried letters or pictures of their girlfriends they had to leave behind. Many of the things they carried gave us an insight on their memories back home whether they were good or bad. It also showed the reader how s well they were coping with the stresses that come with war. For multiple men it was very evident that they valued the women they left back home by what they carried and that missed them a ton and found them to be good luck charms to bring them all back home. For quite a few men they feared losing the treasures in their bag because everything they had with them was quite important to live including their supplies for war.
ReplyDeleteI think the most interesting item that was being carried around was being carried by Henry Dobbins and he was carrying his girlfriends pantyhose, but what I think makes this the most interesting is the fact that after she sent him that letter telling him that she was breaking up with him he still continued to wear them, I would have burned those things, but that might be because I am not the superstitious type. I think the worst item was probably a tie between the condoms and the marijuana. I honestly don’t understand why anyone would feel comfortable with a comrade having marijuana in their system all the time and Ted Lavender could have argued with me until he was blue in the face, but I would not have felt as confident with his ability to fight with an illegal drug running through his veins basically 24/7. I also believe that a soldier you should be focused on your battle tactic rather than the next time you will be able to sleep with someone which would be why I find condoms an odd choice for a soldier to carry around with him. I think the most unexpected thing for me was all of the guns and ammunition they had to carry around with them at all times, but it does make sense they never know when they are going to have to attack the enemy or be fired upon by the same people, but the stuff they brought to relax that was the most unexpected for me was probably they M&M’s I generally don’t think of soldiers as the type to bring little candies with them to the battlefield and snack on them right after they got done shooting someone. If I had to go to war I think I probably would carry a Bible like Kiowa just to remind myself of all the hope I have, I would probably carry a picture to remind myself of the real reason for fighting and probably some sort of game like Apples to Apples to just blow off some steam at the end of the day.
The things the men carry define them individuals because it shows what they think is necessary in their life. They pick a couple things to carry around with them in the war and those things are things that matter to them, things of importance. Based on the things the men carry you can tell things about their life and them as a person. Many of the things the men bring to the battle field have a deeper meaning and give them reason to keep fighting so they have hope to return home someday. The desire of the men can be portrayed through what they carry as well. Some men carry around photos of family, they most likely desire to someday make it home safe to their family. Other men carry good luck items, they probably fear the war and feel they need the luck to be able to make it out of the war. Few carry Bible's, they value God and pray that they make it out alive. I found some of the more interesting items to be a thumb from a dead boy and M&M's. I think the best thing that someone carries is photos of family. Family means everything to me and I know I would carry photos of my family as well. The worst item someones carries is the thumb of a dead boy, I just find that repulsive. The strangest thing that someone carries are the pictures and poems from Martha, why would O'Brien want to be reminded of his love for Martha if she does not feel the same way? If I went to war I would carry photos of my family, a good luck token that my Godmother gave me, and my favorite stuffed animal as a kid.
ReplyDeleteThere many things you can infer about the men in the novel just by looking at what they carry. It is unlikely that they would want to carry extra weight around for no reason so the nonessential items that they do take with them reveal important clues to their personalities, home lives, and beliefs. You can tell by what they carry if they value their religion, desire a certain person back home, or have superstitious fears. You are also able to determine by the equipment they carry if the have a specialized job. The literal things that the men carry are symbolic of the different emotions they carry. For example lieutenant Cross blamed Ted Lavender's death on his love for Martha, that night he burned all the letters and pictures because to him they represented the love, and now guilt he was feeling. The most interesting things that were carried were the items that were considered lucky by the men, like the pantyhose Henry dobbins carried. The best thing that someone could carry is hope. Hope will help them push through the hard times because there's always a chance it will get better. The worst thing someone could carry is fear. Fear causes people to make mistakes. The strangest thing someone carries is the thumb that Norman Bowker got from a corpse. If I went to war I would bring my cross necklace, my ring, and pictures of the people closest to me.
ReplyDeleteIn the book the things the men carry helps the reader define them as individuals without outright telling us. For example Henry Dobbins carries his girlfriend’s pantyhose around his neck for good luck telling the reader he’s very superstitious. Also Kiowa carries around an illustrated version of the New Testament telling us religion plays a big role in his life. The things they carry also tell us about their rank or specialty. For lieutenant Cross as the leader he carries maps, compasses and a great deal of responsibility for his men. Since Rat Kiley is a medic he carries around morphine, malaria tablets, and supplies for serious wounds. For someone like Ted Lavender, an extra jumpy kinda guy, he carries a supply of tranquilizers and marijuana because of the overwhelming fear he must figuratively carry. Some of the soldiers carry around some pretty out of place items for a war zone like comic books, slingshots, a feathered hatchet, and M&M’s. And also some pretty unstable things like drugs, which would keep a soldier in a very dangerous and distracted state of mind. The best things in war would be only the necessary things like your weapon, ammo, and rations. Nothing that would put you in harms way because you're too caught up in something far, far away like lieutenant Cross was. Although I do not condone an over distraction in such a menacing place, I would think that a healthy reminder of home could be safe and keep you sane. If I were soldier leaving my home and the people I love, I would bring my favorite book. I believe that when you read a book you can re-experience the first time you read it. It would bring you back into the exact perfect hour or so when you were reading it and I think that would be enough to remind me of my home and the story would be exactly what I needed to escape all the horror of the day in the life of a Vietnam soldier.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carried show what the men value, and what a person values shows a deeper reflection of their character and personality. Some of the literal things they carry do symbolize the figurative things they carry. For example, Jimmy Cross carried the letter and pebble from Martha. Literally, they bring comfort and happiness from the girl he loves, but figuratively they weigh him with the hope and uncertainty that one day she will love him too. Also, the items are a token of their lives before. The men use them as a reminder of what they are fighting for. Some even use them to escape the stress of the war when the realities become too much. Such as using dope and tranquilizers to relax and calm or eating some M&M’s to remember the sweet luxuries of past times. The most interesting items to me were the condoms that Mitchell Sanders carried. I'm not really sure that they could be very useful in such crucial times, but perhaps they are just a comfort as something that he had always carried before the war. To me the best item that someone carries is Kiowa’s Bible, which is what I would carry with me if I went to war. It brings hope, comfort, purpose and reassurance, and with all the worry of the items weighing you down, that is one to lift you up.
ReplyDeleteThe things the men carried with them in war defined their lives before the war. For example Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries a picture of Martha, the woman that is the love of his life. Henry Dobbins carries his girlfriend’s stocking because he believes that it brings him good luck and it gives him comfort. To calm himself down in war, Ted Lavender carries tranquilizers and drugs. The best thing in my mind that someone carried was a bible, which Kiowa carried. I thought this was great because even though he was in the middle of a terrible war he could still turn to his faith in god for comfort when he needed it. The worst thing that was carried was the drugs because you could do and take too many and then you would have a hard time staying focused and doing your job and trying not to get yourself killed. The strangest thing that I thought was carried was Henry Dobbins girlfriend’s stockings because at night he would sleep with them wrapped around his neck and face. The thing that I thought was unexpected to be carried was the condoms because that is the last thing I thought you would need to bring to a war. If I went to war I would bring pictures of my family and friends and maybe a personal item from home like a necklace or a ring.
ReplyDeleteWhen men are drafted into war, they have no choice, no say, no anything. All they know is that they are forced to leave behind the valuables that are most important to them. That's the reason why the things the men carry define them as individuals. Each men has a more important mission to carry out instead of dying/fighting for America. Some men are husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, uncles, nephews, or even lovers, not soldiers. The items they carry are symbols of what they means to other people, and what other people mean to them. That's why all the soldiers carry something different, because they all have different roles in life.
ReplyDeleteAll of the literal items the men carry figuratively show their emotions about certain feelings and relationships, sometimes just a happy memory. Jimmy Cross carried letters, photographs, and a pebble from Martha symbolizing his relationship as a good friend and carrying the emotion of sorrow for not establishing his wish of having a romantic relationship. Kiowa carried a bible to remember his relationship with his father and God. His faith is strong and he will always know that God travels with him wherever he goes throughout Vietnam. The things the men carry show us what they value most in their lives, they show their emotion, their relationships, and their personal desires. I believe the best item carried was the M&M's by the medic, Rat Kiley. M&M's reminded him of the time before war, a time when he had no worries and enjoyed the sweet taste of milk chocolate. The worst thing someone carried was the condoms. Mitchell Sanders clearly did not have a need for them but i guess they reminded him of a past relationship or maybe it was just one of his essentials. The strangest items were carried by Ted Lavender. Anyone using marijuana and tranquilizers during war must be mad, but i guess they calmed him. If i was in war i would want to have all of my senses with me and be on full alert. I did not expect Henry Dobbins to carry his girlfriends pantyhose but i guess it was comforting to him. If i went to war i would carry a portable radio with some ear buds to be able to escape reality for a brief moment and remember what i have to look forward to when returning home safely from war.
In the novel, the things they carried were highly based on necessities, as well as a few personal struggles, such as Ted Lavender feeling the need to carry tranquilizers because of his scared sense of nature toward the war. In most cases, a lot of the extra items the men carry define hidden traits that may not be fully said. The extra necessities they carry usually figuratively match with their personal problem or struggle, such as Henry Dobbins needing extra rations because he was larger than most of the other men. Some of the interesting, out-of-the-ordinary items that the men carry range from hygiene equipment and bars of soap to foot powder and condoms. The best thing that someone could carry in a war, in my opinion, would be food and water. The worst possible thing to be carrying in a war would be something like condoms, and the strangest would probably have to be foot powder. The things I would carry would be food, water, the war gear, a rifle, a hatchet, and a first aid kit.
ReplyDeleteThe things the men carried with them to war reflected who they are as a person. Henry Dobbins carried extra food with him because he was a bigger man. Norman Bowker carried a diary. Kiowa carried an illustrated New Testament with him because he was a highly devout Baptist. Some of the things the men carried were based on their own fears. Ted Lavender carried tranquilizers because he was terrified of war. I believe that food and water would be necessary to carry to war, along with personal hygiene items. The most unnecessary item the men carried would probably be condoms. If I went to war I would bring food, water, and my iPod to escape away from reality for a couple of minutes.
ReplyDeleteThe things the men carry help define them as individuals. Each of the men carry very unique items based on their personality and what they miss from their life back at home. Jimmy Cross carried letters that shows how much he loved Martha and missed her. Dave Jensen fears getting any foot infections so he carries foot powder and extra socks. You can also tell that Kiowa values his religion by the Bible that he carries. All of the men in the war carry some sort of feeling that hinders them. Some men are afraid, some fantasize about their love, and some carry a feeling of regret on their shoulders. Some of the most interesting items that I read about were the M&M’s, the tranquilizers, or the slingshot. I think the worst thing someone carried was the tranquilizers. Men in war should be focused on fighting and protecting their fellow soldiers, not sedated and confused. One of the best items that were carried was Kiowa’s Bible. I think that during depressing times of war and hardship, an uplifting verse from the Bible would definitely help out. The M&M’s were an unexpected item that I read about because although they may be useful if the food supply ran low, they are just a small candy that would not last long. If I were in the war I would carry photos of my family and friends from back home. I would also carry some sort of pain reliever for small injuries. Finally, I would take my Bible to read as an uplifting gift and a sign of hope.
ReplyDeleteThe things that the men carried were more than things that they held on to during their long trudges through Vietnam. Many of the items were things that described the men and turned them from numbers, to individuals. It gave the men a sense of uniqueness. Take Cross for example, He carried something no one else had, a picture of his love Martha from back home. To extend off of the things that they carried, they carried more than physical items, they carried memories, feelings and more. Cross carried his intense feelings for Martha back home. Other men carried bibles, tranquilizers, slingshots, malaria tablets and other objects that discreetly shows more about said character. The best thing in my opinion was the comic books, after hearing how long they stay in their trenches at night, some easy entertainment is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThe items the men carry describe their individual selves intensely. The man carry the same items that are required and then a few personal items. Lieutenant Cross for example carried letters and two pictures of Martha, the girl of his dreams. This showed he had something to fight for and was a compassionate man who needs love and hope to thrive. Along the lines of love bringing comfort, Henry Dobbins wore his girlfriends pantyhose around his neck for comfort. Other miscellaneous items carried were M&Ms, vitamins, brandy, a slingshot, etc. All these items may be odd to carry to war, but offered each individual man comfort in their own way.
ReplyDeleteAll the non-required items the men carry symbolize something personal to them. While some are more blatant than others, such as Cross' pictures of Martha because of the love he owns for her, other items are more obscure such as the slingshot one of the men carry. Although this item seems completely useless in a war of arms, this weapon may offer Lee Strunk comfort and protection in ways that remind him of a possible childhood memory.
All the things the men carry represent their desires or something that pertains to a part of their life they miss or want. These items offer comfort to the men. Some desire love, some desire comfort, and others require a distraction from the reality that is war.
Some of the more interesting items I find are the M&Ms, slingshot, vitamins, and especially the pantyhose.
The best thing I find that one of the men carry is either the hunting hatchet because it can provide more usefulness than say M&Ms but also Cross' pictures of Martha because in a time of war, love and hope can save one if not many lives.
I feel the worst item brought to a war was the marijuana. To me, drugs like that have no purpose besides medical uses. Even if the drug provides release and a distraction from the war, I feel as if there is more and better alternatives to do so. As for the strangest item, I believe it to be the M&Ms. Personally I am unable to find a reason as to why a candy would comfort someone or bring back good memories, especially when the one carrying the M&Ms is the medic. To each his I own I guess.
The unexpected things to me were the pantyhose, slingshot, and marijuana. If I were to bring things to war, it would most definitely be a picture of my family. I would want to be able to see their faces instead of having to remember them. Fighting for my life, they would bring me the most comfort and offer me bravery. I would also carry a small ipod so I could listen to music as another escape. This would have to be used sparingly as there would be no way to charge it. One last thing I would bring would probably be a good book to read to entertain me and of course distract me from the reality that is war.
The significance of the things that they carried were not of physical form at all. In wars the things they carry are emotional burdens and stories. The stress from everything that they have left behind. Being in a foreign land with booby traps laid out in random. The idea of any second could be their last. Holding on to their humanity through war. What they carry most are emotions. Anything physical in the book has a weight to it, but none comparable to the weight of various emotions on their backs. Henry Dobbins had pantyhose from his girlfriend but when she broke up with him another weight was added to the emotional stockpile on his shoulders. The physical objects carried by the men didn't just have their own base weight, they also carried an emotional connection with their owners. The objects are unique to each person and help them cope with the stress laid before them. It's not the object itself but the meaning behind it, the back story, that's what holds the significance.
ReplyDeleteAlso I forgot to say that his characters name "Jimmy Cross" is extremely symbolic. The initials (JC) are the same as Jesus Christ and the Cross part is symbolic towards the burden he has to carry.
DeleteThe things each of the men carried had to do with them as a person and their feelings. Jimmy Cross carries his love for Martha as well as pictures/letters of and from her. Along with those, he carried a pebble which would help him create "fantasies" of them walking on the beach together and him imagining that she loved him too. Kiawa carried a bible so his faith could help him go on. Not all of the things the men carried were physical objects. Some were memories, feelings, and more. The men use the things they carry to help them deal with what they go through and see everyday. What each soldier carries tells a lot about who their character is as a person.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel the things that each man carried with them were symbols. The items showed what kind of men the soldiers were before they were in the war. The items represent the things that are important to each man and help somewhat define them as individuals. Specific items show what each man is passionate about. The literal things that the men carry have a much deeper meaning than the figurative items that the men carry. For example, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried letters from his college "love" Martha. The letters were just letters but the meaning behind them was why he carried them. All of the items carried were interesting and different. The best thing that one of the men could have carried was a Bible as Kiowa did to remember his father and his faith in God. Carrying a Bible during the war would help me remember that God was always with me even when I felt alone. One of the worst items that anyone could carry was Lavender and his marijuana. This I feel would distract him from the war and his assigned duties while fighting. The strangest thing that was carried by any man was that Mitchell Sanders carried around condoms because there is really no need for condoms while fighting in the war. The most unexpected thing that one of the men carried was Dobbins and his girl friends underwear. It makes sense that he carries them for comfort but it is a strange comfort item. If I was in the war I would bring a photo album of my family and friends to remind me that I have people waiting back at home for me and something to keep me happy and give me a reason to keep fighting.
ReplyDeleteThe book "the things they carried" put me in a state of mind that what they were going to talk about was physical things they carried. As i read on i started to realize that the things they carried were in fact physical, but yet their were also things they carried spiritually and emotionally. I do believe that what the people carried physically during the war described a lot of them and added character. Some of the things showed what they truly felt was the most important back at their home-life.
ReplyDeleteJimmy Cross carried letters from martha. Dave Jenson carried hygiene tools such as a toothbrush, floss and soap and extra pairs of socks. Ted Lavender carried tranquillizers. Rat Kiley carried comic books. Here these little things show little parts about them each individually as a person. The best item they carried in my opinion was what mostly everyone carried which were pictures. To me that is what would be the most beneficial to me because it would remind me of the people who care about me and it would give me strength knowing im protecting them. The worst was the dope and the tranquillizers because we both know mixing drugs and guns together is never a good idea.
At first when I was reading all the things that each man carried all I could think was when is this list going to be over. Shortly, I soon came to realize that the actual objects as well as all the figurative things they carried had a much deeper meaning. All of these things introduced me to the characters and helped me define each soldier. Some of the literal things they carried allowed me to identify what type of person they were and the memories they had. It showed me their habits, values, fears and even where they ranked in their platoon. I could easily tell that Ted Lavender was terrified by the war because of the tranquilizers he carried. When I read the list of other soldiers such as Dave Jensen I was exposed to his interest because he brought things like toothpaste and dental floss showing me that he may have previously been fascinated in the field of dental hygiene. Some of the things they carried also gave me an insight on their physical appearance . Therefore when the author told me that Henry Dobbins carried extra rations and the heavier gun I visualized him as being a bigger man.
ReplyDeleteThe literal and physical things each person carries does connect. For example, Kiowa who carries a bible not only has this physical object but also carries faith and hope along with him.
Tranquilizers would have to be on my list of things not to carry when going to war. When lives are on the line you have to be fully aware of everything that is going on around you . Also, I am in a toss up of whether pictures are a good thing to carry along with you. At times it could be a reminder of why you are fighting for your country but it also could be a reminder of what you don't have. It could make a person focus on all the things they miss instead of the war right in front of them, just as Jimmy Cross does which gets somebody killed.
One man comes to mind when I think about the strangest things that were on the list. Mitchell Sanders who carries condoms. I find it hard to believe that during the war surrounded by all men while in a different country he would be having sex. I think it would be an awful idea for him to try and find a woman to have sex with. There are much bigger problems than who they are sleeping around with.
As for me I would be taking things on this journey that would keep me occupied. Things such as a rubix cube, deck of cards, pad of paper and pens to doodle. I hate being bored more than anything so I would definitely need something to keep me occupied at the times there was no action.
In "The Things They Carried", each soldier had different objects and memories that they "carried" with them throughout Vietnam. The items each soldier carried were used to define them as people and also to outline their personalities. For example: Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries around letters and pictures of Martha, the girl he loves from back home. Even though Jimmy knows he doesn't have a shot with her, he still carried around her letters. Maybe it was to give him hope, something to look forward to after the war. Others like Ted Lavender carried tranquilizers and marijuana to calm himself down. It wasn't hard to tell that Ted wasn't a war hardened hero, he was just a scared young man trying to make it home alive. Kiowa, who was also in their company, carried a New Testament Bible that his father gave him. Some men like Kiowa had religious values, while others were just there to fight and kill. Many of the soldiers joked about death, just to show that they were not afraid of it. And if there was anything that all the soldiers carried that they had in common was fear. Every single one of the carried fear, that they didn't want to die or watch their friends die. They were terrified of this and they joked around about death because if they showed that they were afraid they would be considered weak. One of the most interesting items was the condoms belonging to Mitchell Sanders. I don't know how often he'd be using them, but I think I'd be more concentrated on the war than sleeping with other women. The best items carried was the New Testament Bible carried by Kiowa, and I would probably carry one too if I went to war. The Bible is a source of faith. It reminds me of one of my favorite Bible Verses Romans 8:31. "For if God is with us, who can be against us?" I think this verse is used by many religious soldiers to keep their faith and give them strength throughout hard times like these. The worst items carried were the letters from Martha that Lieutenant Cross had. Letters are a quick way to start missing home, and even though it might make you want to fight harder to ensure our nation and your families freedom, it also may distract you from one of the most important roles: Staying alive. If I were to go to war, I would carry around pictures of my family to remind me of what I'm fighting for and to not give up and make it home safely. Also I'd bring stuff like a book or magazine to keep my mind occupied while all this chaos was going on around me in spare time.
ReplyDeleteIn the "The Things They Carried" each character possessed a unique object that symbolized who they were as an individual. The items either conveyed each soldiers values or personality. Ted Lavender carried tranquilizers and marijuana with him, inferring that he was an easily nervous person who was terrified by the war. Kiowa brought a bible with him expressing his importance for keeping faith in any situation. Jimmy Cross carried with him letters from Martha, the girl he loves more than anything to give him something to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteI think the best thing to carry with you in a war would ne pictures. They give you a reason to keep fighting and to make the ones you love proud. Some might say that they would make you miss home too much but you would have to remind yourself that home is what you're fighting for in the first place. The worst thing to have with you, in my opinion, is tranquilizers. When the live of yourself and others are at stake the last thing you want is to be completely unfocused to the situation at hand. And lastly, the most interesting object to carry with you would be the condoms. Mitchell Sanders was the one who carried them with him and he was obviously way too focused on sleeping with women than the war.
When I first started the book, I was entranced by the way it was written before the actually chapters started. I felt like characters were introduced to me in a way I had never experienced before. The opening of the book named characters according to what they carried; Lieutenant Cross carried letters from Martha and pictures of her as well as the essential tools a solider would need in his rucksack. This shows that he is a very caring man, especially about the woman he loves. It shows that he also has a hard time letting go of things, because the letters Martha wrote to him are not love letters. He can't seem to shake the girl and his feelings for her, even though she doesn't return them. Ted Lavender carried drugs, a way of keeping himself calm during the war, and rounds of ammo. This says that he was always prepared for the worst, and it's bit ironic that he was shot when he was doing something as simple as going to the bathroom. Rat carries comicbooks, which led me to believe that he was one of the youngest men in their rank, which was later confirmed after Lemon's death when O'Brien describes him as "just a kid".
ReplyDeleteI find that many of the things that the men carry are interesting and a bit random, but it's the only they can really hold on to who they are and what makes them who they are while they're fighting on foreign soil. I think the Bible carried by Kiowa was the best item to have been carried, simply because one's religion can have a huge toll on someone's nerves and can help clear their mind. Of course, that wouldn't apply to everyone because not everyone is religious. I think the worst item was the pebble that Martha gave to Cross. It reminded him too much of her, ans because it was a gift from Martha, Cross immediately named it his lucky pebble. Once he received it, he found himself wondering if maybe Martha did have feelings for him. I feel like it's the worst because he had his hopes up for something to return home to once the war was over, but Cross wouldn't know when that was and he'd spend everyday waiting to go home to Martha though his returning date was in the far future.
If I was deployed, I would probably bring whatever books I could to keep myself busy in down time, or simple medical supplies in case of an emergency.
Each man carries something that means something to them that is from home and comforts them when they are homesick. The men that carry weapons or other tools that is specific to their job. You can tell that the men that carry bibles are religious; the men that carry pictures of their girlfriends are the ones that are in love. Henry Dobbins carried his girlfriend’s pantyhose as a reminder of her, Rat Kiley carried brandy and M&M’s, Ted Lavender carried marijuana, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carried letters from his girlfriend, all of which describe their personality. Dobbins’ pantyhose are a symbol of his girlfriend; Kiowa’s moccasins are a symbol of all of the people they have killed; the marijuana is symbol of the men trying to find happiness within the midst of death. All of the personal items they carried are symbolic of the burdens they carry and who they left behind. The best thing that someone can carry is the happy memories from being a child and growing up, and the worst is all of the ‘baggage’ and burdens from the mistakes they’ve made. An unexpected item that was being carried was a thumb from a man they carried. If I went war, I would carry a picture of my family and some photos of me and my friends and special memories.
ReplyDeleteI think that the things that that the soldiers carry are an interesting conglomeration of supplies. they are in fact so different that i wonder if they are one of O'Briens truer than truths. because it is almost as if there is one of everything. A christian(Kiowa), a stoner(Ted lavender), a heavyset family-man(Henry Dobbins), and a joker(Azar). Its a little clique it made me feel as though i was reading the breakfast club. i think what the author was trying to express buy having a variety of characters with a variety of personalities, was that everyone gets drafted into war its not just that guy in your class whose dad was a marine and wants to live up to his dads hardcore style. Its everyone the stoners, the class clowns, the dads, the scared eighteen year olds. And i feel that O'Brian made his point. I agree with Dani that condoms were the most interesting thing that O'Brian mentioned because there , i assume, would be very few women in the war at this time so it would almost seem superfluous. I cant imagine fighting in a war so i couldn't imagine carrying anything i think that i connected with O'Brian as an author most when he was contemplating running to Canada.
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ReplyDeleteAll of the soldiers carried their core necessities, but each soldier carried something of their own that represented them and defined them as a character. Jimmy Cross carries a picture of his love Martha and a pebble to help him fantasize them walking on a beach together. Another character is Kiawa and he carries with him a bible so that he can carry his faith along with him. The soldiers carried more then just physical possessions along with them, they carried their memories, thoughts, and feelings. The memories they carried were stronger then any of the physical possessions. The memories of home and all of the things they had waiting for them was what was pushed them to keep fighting and reminded them of what they were fighting for. One of the more interesting items being carried would be the condoms considering the fact that there was still very few women in the war at the time. If I was to go into war I'd carry with me pictures of the people that I love the most as a reminder to me what I had waiting for me back home.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carry define the men as individuals by showing what they find comfort in. Kiowa, for example, was a very religious man and carrying a bible with him was him comfort. It’s obvious that by carrying two school pictures and a sack full of love letters, Jimmy was in love with Martha. He kept pondering about her virginity and recollected about all the times he was with her. The literal things they carry do symbolize the figurative things they carry. For instance, Ted Lavender figuratively carried fear and he literally carried a tranquilizer with him to feel safe at all times. The things they carried showed what the soldiers valued because they only brought their most important items; the items that they could not be left without. Some of the more interesting items the men carried was six ounces of marijuana that Ted Lavender always had and a box of condoms that Mitchell Sanders carried. I think the best thing that someone carried was love letters that Jimmy Cross carried. The letters are a constant reminder that your loved ones are thinking about you and want to hear back from you. The worst item someone carried in my opinion, were the condoms. I do not see why they are a necessity while at war. The strangest thing to carry while in the war would probably have been the pair of pantyhose worn around Henry Dobbins’ neck. It was very unexpected to read that Ted Lavender had marijuana on hand. I’m surprised that he was never found out. If I went to war, I would bring with me my favorite scripture (2 Corinthians 5:7) and a keepsake from my parents.
ReplyDeleteThe things they carry literally do describe who each soldier is individually. But some of the things that they carry are items that everybody takes turn on carrying. They all have there set weapons. Henry Dobbins is the big light machine gunner who wears a pantyhose around his neck, his girlfriends pantyhose. Some of the things they carried go to the extreme of condoms! Ted Lavender carried six ounces of marijuana or in his terminology, dope. Cross had his love letters that he loved to re-read constantly. This is understandable because I would probably bring something like that. The things I would carry would most definitely be a photograph of my family and my rosary I got when I went through my first communion. - Riley Heuker -
ReplyDeleteThe things that each of the men carried defined them as individuals because along with the necessities, weapons, ammunition, C rations, etc., each individual had things that were only pertinent to them, their missions, and their assignments. For instance; Kiowa carried a bible, Henry Dobbins carried his girlfriend’s pantyhose around his neck, as the medic Rat KIley carried first aid supplies. You can tell many things by what the men carried, from the things that Rat carried you can tell he was a medic, from Kiowa’s possessions you could gather that he was religious. The things that they literally carry can also be symbolic, Rat carries the medical supplies which could also imply that he carries the hurt and pain of those that he has helped or was not able to help. Henry’s pantyhose could signify his tight grip on the past and his unwillingness to let go of the things that keep him tied to reality. The best thing that someone carries is the memories that they made before the war, the worst things are the gruesome things that they had witnessed during, and the strangest are the memories that they picked up on their journey through Nam because they are inexplicable to anyone who has not witnessed them firsthand. If I were drafted to war, I would take a bible as a reminder of the plan that is in store for me, pictures of my closest friends and family, and a sketchbook to keep a visual representation of the things that I witness.
ReplyDeleteThe things the men carried defined them as individuals because it showed unique qualities that the different men had. For example, Ted Lavender carried Marijuana and Tranquilizers to calm him down because he was scared and nervous. Or how Kiowa would carry the new testament showing that he is a diligent and honest guy. Some other interesting items are the pebble, and the panties. If I went to the war I would carry photos of family and friends, a cross necklace and probably a toy like a yoyo so I wouldn't be bored
ReplyDeleteWhat define the men in the war are the things they carry. The literal and emotional things they show to the others separate them, makes them unique, and shows what they hold close to their heart. You can tell that Kiowa is religious because he carries his Bible. Cross is sentimental and hopeful because he carries letters and photographs from Martha. Lavender is worrisome because he carries things to calm his anxiety. Their uniforms are one thing that is both literal and figurative. The wear them to be identified, but it also is there to constantly remind them that they are at war and of the horrors that come along with that. I thought that the man who carried the pantyhose around his neck was very interesting. I understand that it comforted him and I found that kind of sweet in a way. The best thing someone could carry with them at war would be their Bible. This would be one thing I could not leave behind. It is a comfort in time of struggle and fear, it stands as a reminder of the future, and can give a sense of being important in God’s eyes and He is always someone who you can turn to when you feel alone.
ReplyDeletewhat each man carries defines their personalities
ReplyDeleteBased on the things that each man carries you can assume something about their personalities.
yes, because some men carry symbols of their girlfriends or other things back home.
Kiowa carries a bible which shows that he values god, Ted Lavender carried tranquilizers and dope which showed that he valued being calm
some of the more interesting items were: condoms, comic books, tranquilizers, dope, a hatchet, and moccasins
The best thing that they carry is an M16 assult rifle, the worst would probably be the tranquilizers, and the strangest would be pantyhoes
the dope, comic books, and condoms were unexpected. I would carry a pack of cards and bubble gum
When I first read the title of "The Things They Carried", I instantly thought that it referred to the more personal items that the men brought with them to war, rather than the neccesities. In a way, I was correct; however, to these men, those items WERE a neccesity. The men each carried items that described who they were. For Jimmy Cross, he carried letters of the women he was infatuated with, Martha. For Kiowa, he most notably carried a copy of "The New Testament", as he was a devout Baptist. Other people such as Ted Lavender and Norman Bowker carried tranquilizers and a diary respectively, with the list going on and on with each member of Alpha Company. For some people, like Jimmy Cross and Kiowa, they carried non-physical "things". Jimmy Cross carried the weight of his men on his shoulders while Kiowa carried "his grandmother's distrust of the white man". As for the emotions the items hold, Martha's letters filled Jimmy Cross with worries that Martha didn't love him, as he feels the letters are only signed "love", with it not being meant. Ted Lavender was constantly scared; ergo, he brought the tranquilizers to calm him down.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the more interesting items were the tranquilizers, the comic books carried by Rat Kiley, the pantyhose carried from Henry Dobbins, and the letters from Martha. As for what was most intriguing to me and strangest to me, I'd have to go with Dobbins' girlfriend's pantyhose. That particular item made me think that his girlfriend meant a great deal to Dobbins. If I were to bring something with me to war, I'd simply bring a photo of my family, as it would show what I was fighting for and who I was trying to protect.
When i read the title, i believed it was going to just talk about the physical part of the war. Obviously i thought there would be mental aspects of the book, that's a given with a war book, but i didnt realize it was going to be almost all about the mental aspect, and what the soldiers carried mentally. The items were very important to the book, for they described who the people were. Emotional gaps were filled by things like notes, and drugs. Interesting items were like i said the drugs (tranquilizers which calmed Ted Lavender dwon, and the panty hose with Henry carried, Which i also found the strangest. I would have to bring something to stand for my family, and something to stand for my friends.
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ReplyDeleteThe things the men carry are symbols of the literal and figurative baggage that they all took with them to Vietnam. The items are mostly to remind them of the things that they had left behind at home. What a man carried with him said a lot about who he was as a person and what he valued. For example, Kiowa carried a copy of the New Testament, because religion was a very important part of his life. Rat Kiley carried M&Ms and brandy, most likely for comfort. The things they carried gave the reader a glimpse of what the men did not want to live, or die, without. One item that I found strange to carry was Lee Strunk’s slingshot. I thought it was odd to carry a seemingly harmless weapon in a war like Vietnam when there was a gun on his back. All of the things the men carried were beneficial to them in their own ways, but the best things that are carried aren’t materialistic. I think that the best things one can carry are memories, but these can easily become the worst things carried, too. For the men fighting the war, memories were both. They gave the men a reminder of home, as well as a nightmare-ish reminder of the horrible war. If I were in the war, I would probably bring my pair of old Converse shoes. They are my favorite pair and the most comfortable shoes I own, plus they are a cute color! They wouldn’t serve much function in the war other than keeping my feet covered, but they would be a comforting item for me to have.
ReplyDeleteThe title "The Things They Carried refers to both the physical and emotional things the soldiers carried with them to war. All of the soldiers carried the necessities with them. Things like guns, grenades, ammo and food. But each soldier also carried a personal item that reveals a bit about that person. Kiowa carried a Bible, showing he was a religious man. Some men carried pictures of their Girls back home, which showed both where they wanted to be and what they were fighting for. All the soldiers also had to carry the emotional pain of the friends they lost.
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