Chapter 1: The Things They Carried Summary
The first story of The Things They Carried is eponymously titled “The Things They Carried.” Set in Vietnam, First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross and his platoon carry many things while humping across the tropical brush. Besides the machine guns, rations, ammunition, and mines, Cross lugs letters from Martha, a junior studying poetry at Mount Sebastian College in New Jersey. While reading her letters that discuss poetry and Virginia Woolf, Cross wonders whether she is a virgin. He thinks of the last time he saw her, her gray eyes and the way that he kissed her before he left, and he thinks of the things that he wished he had done when he last saw her. Specifically, he fantasizes about taking her to her room, tying her up, and touching her hand with his knee. In her letters, Martha never mentions the war, except to tell Cross to be careful. She sends him a pebble for good luck, which Cross keeps in his mouth.
Cross’s platoon carries many things. Some of the things the men carry are standard, such as steel helmets, which weigh five pounds. Other things are carried only by one or two members of the platoon. For example, Mitchell Sanders carries a PRC-25 radio, which weighs twenty-five pounds with its battery. Henry Dobbins, a large man, carries the M-60, a machine gun that weighs 23 pounds. Not everything that the men carry is standard issue. For example, Dave Jensen carries extra socks and foot powder to combat trench foot, Norman Bowker carries a diary, and Rat Kiley carries comic books. Kiowa, meanwhile, carries an illustrated copy of the New Testament. Ted Lavender carried tranquilizers and dope before he was shot and killed outside of Than Khe. Before Lavender died, there were 17 men in the platoon.
Lavender was scared, and when he died, he fell like “dead weight.” Kiowa saw it happen, and he cannot stop explaining to everyone around him that Ted Lavender “dropped like so much concrete. Boom-down.” The men now wrap Lavender's corpse in a poncho and wait for a chopper to collect the body. In the meantime, they smoke Lavender’s dope and they wonder what the moral of Lavender’s death was. Henry Dobbins finally says “I don’t see no moral,” to which Sanders replies, “there it is, man.”
Cross sees things differently. He leads the men into Than Khe where they burn it down and kill all of the animals there. When he hears how Lavender died, he blames himself because “he had loved Martha more than his men.” It is a feeling that he will have to carry for the rest of the war. He realizes that Martha never mentions the war in her letters because she is not in love with him and never will be. He burns her letters, though he realizes that it is only a stupid, sentimental gesture. Cross decides that he will keep tighter discipline in the platoon and comport himself like an officer. He realizes that it is sad, “the things men carried inside. The things men did or felt they had to do.” He leads his men to the villages west of Than Khe.
Expert Q&A
What are the "M and Ms" the medic carries for pain in "The Things They Carried"?
The "M and Ms" the medic carries in "The Things They Carried" are placebos given to mortally wounded soldiers to provide comfort and hope. Medics used them to make soldiers believe they would receive lifesaving treatment, especially in cases where real painkillers couldn't be administered or when there was no hope of survival.
In "The Things They Carried," what actions did the platoon take in the village of Than Khe?
In "The Things They Carried," the platoon is tasked with destroying Viet Cong tunnels near Than Khe. After Lee Strunk searches the tunnels and finds nothing, Ted Lavender is shot, prompting the soldiers to prepare his body for transport. Overcome with grief and anger, they enter Than Khe, where they burn buildings, kill animals, and destroy the village well, reflecting the chaos and moral ambiguity of the Vietnam War.
What did Kiowa carry in his rucksack in Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried"?
In "The Things They Carried," Kiowa carries a New Testament, reflecting his devout Baptist faith, and his grandfather's hunting hatchet, symbolizing his Native American heritage. These items highlight his complex identity, combining religious and cultural elements. Kiowa's dual heritage and personal items underscore his unique perspective and resilience, contrasting with the broader U.S. involvement in Vietnam and its complicated relationship with Native Americans.
Why does Rat Kiley carry M&Ms in The Things They Carried?
In The Things They Carried, Rat Kiley carries M&Ms to use as a placebo for seriously injured soldiers. Receiving M&Ms might help soothe these soldiers somewhat.
What does Mitchell Sanders' reference to "Have Gun, Will Travel" suggest about the "definite moral" in Chapter 1?
In Chapter 1, a thumb is cut from a VC corpse, after which character Mitchell Sanders says, "...there's a definite moral here" and, later, "...it's like with that old TV show - Paladin. Have Gun, will travel."
Mitchell Sanders' reference to "Have Gun, Will Travel" suggests an ironic interpretation of the soldiers' actions in Chapter 1. The phrase implies that carrying weapons through Vietnam gives them the power to kill and mutilate, reflecting a grim reality devoid of deeper meaning. Sanders' act of cutting off the thumb and his comments on morality highlight the ambiguity and moral complexities of war.
What does the act of discarding the good luck pebble symbolize?
Discarding the good luck pebble symbolizes Lieutenant Jimmy Cross's acceptance of the harsh realities of war and his decision to abandon his fantasies about Martha, which distracted him from his duties. After the death of Ted Lavender, Cross feels guilty and resolves to become a better leader. By throwing away the pebble and burning Martha's letters, he signifies his commitment to focusing on his responsibilities and protecting his men, acknowledging the impossibility of finding comfort in Vietnam.
What were the soldiers doing when Lavender was killed in The Things They Carried?
When Lavender was killed, the soldiers were standing around an enemy tunnel, celebrating Lee Strunk's safe return from checking it. They were not on guard or keeping low, as Lieutenant Cross was preoccupied with thoughts of Martha, a girl back home. Lavender, who had moved away to use the bathroom, was shot by a sniper. His death added to the emotional burdens the soldiers carried, prompting Cross to resolve to become a stricter leader.
What was exploring a tunnel like in The Things They Carried?
Exploring a tunnel in The Things They Carried involved significant psychological tension and danger. The tunnels were used by the Viet Cong for hiding, forcing soldiers like Lee Strunk to enter them head-first with minimal equipment. The experience symbolized the unknown and the fear inherent in guerilla warfare. It also served as a metaphor for exploring deep psychological fears and desires, with tunnels representing a return to the safety and security associated with home.
In The Things They Carried, what did the soldiers carry and what did each item symbolize?
In "The Things They Carried," soldiers carried both tangible and intangible items. Tangible items included essentials like bandages and ponchos, personal items like Lt. Cross's photograph of his girlfriend symbolizing his longing, and mission-specific gear. Intangible items were emotional burdens such as fear, guilt, and longing, representing the psychological weight of war. O'Brien emphasizes that these emotional burdens were heavier than the physical items, highlighting the profound impact of war on the soldiers.
How does the pebble symbol function in The Things They Carried?
In The Things They Carried, the pebble symbolizes Lieutenant Cross's emotional connection to home and his longing for escape from the war's horrors. Sent by Martha, the woman he loves, the pebble represents a tangible link to his past life and a source of comfort. By carrying it and imagining its taste, Cross mentally transports himself away from Vietnam, highlighting his desire for normalcy and the emotional burdens the soldiers endure.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
