The Things They Carried Characters
The main characters in The Things They Carried include Tim O’Brien, Jimmy Cross, and Kiowa.
- Tim O’Brien is the narrator of much of the text, whose understanding of life and death is altered by his experiences in Vietnam.
- Lieutenant Jimmy Cross is the leader of O’Brien’s unit. Deeply affected by the first death in his unit, he realizes he must become a stricter leader to protect his men.
- Kiowa, a Native American soldier, is a Christian and relies on his moral compass. His death greatly affects O’Brien.
Characters
Tim O'Brien
Tim O'Brien serves as both the author and the central character of the narrative. He is portrayed as a contemplative intellectual, abruptly thrust into the harsh realities of being a soldier in the Vietnam War. His experiences there profoundly shape his understanding of life and death, subsequently influencing his unique style and identity as a writer. The encounters and memories from the war become a recurring theme in his exploration of mortality and human nature.
Jimmy Cross
Lieutenant Jimmy Cross is the well-meaning leader of O'Brien's platoon. Initially characterized by his romantic indulgences and lax command, Cross is soon confronted with the gravity of leadership when Ted Lavender's death forces him to mature quickly. This pivotal moment compels him to abandon his desire for affection, opting instead to earn the respect of his men by becoming a strict yet compassionate leader focused on their survival. His fixation on Martha, a college student who does not reciprocate his feelings, symbolizes the mental distractions soldiers face, pulling them away from their duties.
Kiowa
Kiowa, a Native American Christian, presents himself as the moral compass of the unit, often providing a voice of reason amidst chaos. His faith aids him in confronting the moral ambiguities of war, and he consistently strives to act in accordance with his values. Kiowa's tragic death leaves a lasting impact on O'Brien, marking one of the most poignant losses in the narrative. Kiowa is also known for carrying a Bible and his grandfather's hunting hatchet, symbolizing the blend of his spiritual and cultural heritage.
Ted Lavender
Ted Lavender is depicted as a soldier overwhelmed by fear, resorting to tranquilizers and marijuana to cope with the stress of combat. His sudden death, occurring while he is urinating, underscores the arbitrary and senseless nature of mortality in war. Lavender's demise, "zapped while zipping," serves as a turning point for the platoon, exposing the futility and randomness of their situation and leading to a pervasive sense of despair among the men.
Curt Lemon
Curt Lemon's death is one of the narrative's most haunting episodes, occurring when a land mine explodes while he and Rat Kiley are engaged in a playful game. O'Brien's vivid recollection of retrieving Lemon's remains from a tree highlights the brutality and capriciousness of war. Lemon's untimely end is emblematic of the violence and unfairness that characterizes the soldiers' experiences.
Rat Kiley
Rat Kiley, the platoon's medic, is known for his animated storytelling, often embellishing tales to entertain and distract his fellow soldiers. The death of his close friend Curt Lemon profoundly affects him, triggering a breakdown that results in the brutal killing of a baby water buffalo. This act of violence reflects the deep emotional scars and transformation Kiley undergoes as he copes with the trauma of war. Kiley's penchant for carrying brandy and M&Ms adds a layer of complexity to his character, illustrating his struggle to find solace amidst chaos.
Norman Bowker
Norman Bowker's character exemplifies the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life after the Vietnam War. His story is poignantly depicted in "Speaking of Courage," where he grapples with finding someone who understands his wartime experiences. Bowker's loneliness culminates during a Fourth of July holiday, highlighting the disconnection and futility he feels in his search for camaraderie. In combat, he is noted for carrying a diary and a thumb from a dead Viet Cong boy, symbols of his attempts to process and document the war's impact on his psyche.
Henry Dobbins
As the platoon's machine gunner, Henry Dobbins embodies the contradictions of Vietnam. Despite his imposing physical presence and the heavy M-60 machine gun he carries, Dobbins is innately gentle and kind-hearted. He wraps his girlfriend's pantyhose around his neck for comfort, signifying the personal and emotional items soldiers cling to amid the harshness of war. Dobbins' character challenges the assumptions about strength and vulnerability, illustrating the complex humanity of those involved in the conflict.
Martha
Martha represents the unattainable ideals and emotional distractions that haunt soldiers like Jimmy Cross. A junior at St. Sebastian's College, her letters to Cross are friendly but lack the romantic affection he desires. Despite their superficial relationship, Martha becomes a powerful symbol of the life soldiers leave behind, underscoring the chasm between civilian perceptions and the grim realities of war. Her presence in the story highlights the emotional burdens and unmet longings that weigh heavily on soldiers' minds.
Linda
Linda, the young girl from O'Brien's past, embodies his earliest confrontation with mortality. Her death from illness during his childhood marks the beginning of his lifelong preoccupation with death and memory. O'Brien's recollections of their innocent love and her stoic acceptance of her fate offer a poignant contrast to the senseless violence he later witnesses in Vietnam. Linda symbolizes the loss of innocence and the enduring impact of grief and remembrance.
Mitchell Sanders
Mitchell Sanders serves as the platoon's radio operator, responsible for the critical task of calling for helicopter support, including the retrieval of Lavender's body. His character is further defined by his influence on others, such as giving Norman Bowker the thumb of a dead Viet Cong boy, illustrating the dark humor and coping mechanisms soldiers develop in response to the horrors of war.
Lee Strunk
Lee Strunk is introduced as a late addition to the story, drawing the unlucky duty of inspecting tunnels at Than Khe, which represents the dangerous unpredictability of their environment. Among his personal items are a slingshot and tanning lotion, reflecting the soldiers' attempts to maintain a semblance of normalcy and individuality in a world overshadowed by conflict.
Expert Q&A
In Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, who is Elroy Berdhal and how did O’Brien meet him?
In The Things They Carried, Elroy Berdhal is the elderly proprietor of a lodge on the US border with Canada. The two met when Tim O’Brien stayed there after he was drafted and contemplated moving to Canada. Without discussing the situation, Elroy helped him reach his decision to not move.
What tangible item did Tim O'Brien carry in The Things They Carried?
In "The Things They Carried," Tim O'Brien describes the tangible items carried by soldiers in Vietnam, including water, food, clothing, weapons, ammunition, and the ubiquitous dust of Vietnam itself. However, O'Brien, as a character, does not appear in this specific story, and therefore, no items are directly attributed to him. The narrative focuses on the collective experience of soldiers, blending tangible items with the emotional burdens they carry.
Who is Martha in "The Things They Carried" and what does Jimmy Cross wonder about her?
Identify a static and a dynamic character from "The Things They Carried".
Why did Tim O'Brien go to war?
Tim O'Brien went to war because he received his draft papers for Vietnam and was too afraid of being called a coward to evade the draft. Therefore, he says, it was his cowardice that drove him to fight.
What is the symbolism behind Ted Lavender's name?
Ted Lavender's name symbolizes caution, devotion, tranquility, and irony in the context of war. In the Victorian language of flowers, lavender signifies caution and devotion, reflecting the cautionary tale of his death for Jimmy Cross and the platoon. The irony lies in Lavender's use of tranquilizers to cope with war, juxtaposed against the plant's association with peace and calmness, highlighting his sensitive and delicate nature in a harsh environment.
What are the main character's traits in "The Things They Carried," and how do these traits evolve throughout the story?
The main character, Tim O'Brien, is empathetic and observant, initially joining the army out of fear of cowardice. Over time, he evolves by harnessing these traits to become a stronger writer, reflecting on his experiences in Vietnam. Writing serves as a therapeutic outlet for him, diminishing his weaknesses and allowing him to honor his fellow soldiers. Through his narrative, he gains courage and finds a way to reconcile with his past.
Why does Kiowa admire Jimmy Cross in The Things They Carried?
Kiowa admires Jimmy Cross for his deep care and responsibility towards his men. After Ted Lavender's death, Cross grieves intensely, blaming himself for being distracted by thoughts of Martha. This emotional response earns Kiowa's respect, as he struggles to feel the same level of grief or anger. Kiowa's admiration stems from his own guilt about not feeling enough for Lavender's death, contrasting sharply with Cross's evident compassion.
The symbolic significance of Martha in "The Things They Carried."
Martha symbolizes the distractions and emotional burdens that soldiers carry during war. She represents Lieutenant Jimmy Cross's longing for a normal life and his struggle with guilt and responsibility, highlighting the personal and psychological weight that complements the physical loads the soldiers bear.
What is the personality of Henry Dobbins in "The Things They Carried"?
Henry Dobbins is characterized as a moral and straightforward soldier in "The Things They Carried." He is depicted as a "Good soldier Jesus," embodying a strong moral code and respect towards Vietnamese people, unlike some of his peers. Despite not being religious, he is drawn to the community aspect of church and uses superstition, like wearing pantyhose for protection. He is often haunted by guilt from the war, reflected in his reactions to others' insensitivity.
How do the men present themselves in The Things They Carried?
The men in The Things They Carried carry themselves with poise and dignity. They occasionally slips, allowing their fear to show, but for the most part, they recover quickly.
Kiowa's reaction and feelings about Lavender's death in The Things They Carried
Kiowa feels a deep sense of shock and sadness about Lavender's death. He is disturbed by how quickly it happened and struggles to process the sudden loss, reflecting on the randomness and brutality of war.
How does Norman Bowker, a character in The Things They Carried, wear a mask?
What core values drove Tim to go to war in The Things They Carried?
The core values that make Tim O'Brien go to war are not those that readers likely expect, such as patriotism. Tim O'Brien goes to war to avoid shame and embarrassment and because he is too afraid to flee his draft summons.
Lt. Jimmy Cross: Characterization, Conflicts, and Transformation in "The Things They Carried"
In Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, Lt. Jimmy Cross is portrayed as a young, drafted soldier struggling with the burdens of leadership during the Vietnam War. Initially distracted by his fantasies about Martha, a woman from home, Cross's obsession leads to negligence, contributing to the death of a comrade, Ted Lavender. This tragedy forces Cross to abandon his romantic illusions, becoming a more hardened leader. His transformation highlights the dehumanizing effects of war and the internal conflicts soldiers face.
What role did Kiowa play among the soldiers in "The Things They Carried?"
In The Things They Carried, Kiowa has a major impact in that his gruesome death graphically illustrates the futility and savagery of war. In life, he also had a significant impact in that he was able to get his buddies to talk about, and understand, their experiences of war.
The symbolism of Jim Cross's name in "The Things They Carried"
Jim Cross's name in "The Things They Carried" symbolizes the burdens he carries, both as a leader and personally. The name "Cross" suggests a connection to the Christian symbol of the cross, representing the heavy emotional and moral weight he bears, including his guilt over the death of a fellow soldier.
The importance and role of women in "The Things They Carried."
Women in "The Things They Carried" serve as symbols of hope, distraction, and emotional anchors for the soldiers. They represent the lives the men have left behind and their longing for normalcy. Characters like Martha, Mary Anne, and Henry Dobbins' girlfriend embody these themes, highlighting the emotional burdens carried alongside the physical ones in war.
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